Description
In 1852 the newly proclaimed colony of Victoria needed someone to set up schools across their domain. William Knowles Miller seemed the perfect choice. Son of a judge, a bright young man with the gift of the gab, full of energy that even the newspapers noticed, and clearly not afraid of hard work. What could possibly go wrong? And where would it all lead? Lesley Beasley takes us on a track rarely trod through 1850s Australia… from tent schools on the diggings to art thieves in Hobart, politicians fighting foul in election campaigns and mayhem in the daily news.
A journey through the back roads of Australian history – and it’s all true.
“Lesley Beasley portrays the human face of history in a new colony alive with toil and progress. William Miller’s remarkable story is woven into a carefully researched tapestry of the times.” Jude Aquilina.
Paperback, 405pp, 2022
239 A'Beckett Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 
03 9326 9288 
office@historyvictoria.org.au 
Office & Library: Weekdays 9am-5pm
Joan Garvan –
I found Where Lies the Land to be an enthralling read. I loved the way Beazley wove primary sources in with her own family story. It is to be expected that the early settlers must have taken on public positions outside of their previous experience or skill and thus leading to the potential for exploitation or in this case corruption. The needs were great and opportunity for individuals to advance creative solutions immense. There were many memorable moments throughout the read, however, the one that stands out for me is in some ways the most mundane, this is when Beazley realized that her mother had one of the crucial and historic letters in her sewing basket, just on the other side of the room; those few moments in the recovery of the letter must have felt like an eternity. I commend this book to you. I feel sure you won’t be disappointed.