AUSTRALIANA

 A social history of the period from 1788 to 1870, from the beginning of British settlement of Australia to the year when the last British soldiers sailed home from the colonies. Newcomers brought with them from the old world their traditional holidays. We see them facing natural enemies in the land, and having their tranquillity shattered by bushrangers as well as rebellious convicts, military officers and gold diggers. With them we hear the sounds of distant war. We meet the men they honoured, and we read of efforts by poets and orators to turn the Australian experience into history.