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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'When eighteen-year-old Bill Dodd dived into the Maranoa River his life changed in an instant. This young larrikin had enjoyed many adventures as a stockman on a remote station; now he was a quadriplegic. His boxing, running and football days were over, and he would never ride a horse again.
Bill's story begins with a high-spirited childhood in smalltown Queensland, a time of youthful humour and energy. The sudden death of his stockman father affects Bill deeply and he rebels, before himself choosing the exciting life of an apprentice stockman.
Waking up in the intensive care spinal unit, he faces the consequences of his accident and slowly builds a new life.
...Bill's story was written with the aid of a specially designed finger splint, and a typewriter donated by the people of Mitchell, his hometown.' Source: Publisher's blurb
Notes
-
This autobiography also includes 15 poems by Dodd.
Contents
- My Dadi"This poem is dedicated to my Dad", single work poetry (p. 78)
- J.D.i"I owe a lot to this old fella", single work poetry (p. 79)
- Shelliei"Shellie looked at me with her big brown innocent eyes:", single work poetry (p. 80-81)
- Shannoni"I've never been a priest", single work poetry (p. 82-83)
- The Little Red Rose, sequence poetry (p. 82-84)
- Sheldoni"As I lay in bed", single work poetry (p. 83-84)
- A Special Friendi"He was just a playful pup,", single work poetry (p. 85)
- Realityi"The silver stallion rears up on hind legs", single work poetry (p. 86)
- Beauty Beyond My Dreamsi"The brown stallion is as pretty as a picture,", single work poetry (p. 87)
- Phantoms of the Suni"Wild horses are haunting the night sky,", single work poetry (p. 88)
- Running Freei"A pretty little Palomino pony ran wildly through the gate.", single work poetry (p. 89-90)
- The Cold South Wind Blowingi"The old stockmen sitting around the campfire", single work poetry (p. 91)
- Thoughts in My Headi"I'm lying here in bed:", single work poetry (p. 92)
- Give Me a Goi"I feel down in spirit,", single work poetry (p. 93)
- Gone Wrongi"I sit here thinking,", single work poetry (p. 94)
- Just Billyi"To some he was a bad bugger", single work poetry (p. 95-96)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Also e-book.
Works about this Work
-
Urban and Other Aboriginal Writing
1997
single work
review
— Appears in: Ulitarra , no. 11 1997; (p. 110-113)
— Review of Holocaust Island 1990 selected work poetry ; Broken Dreams 1992 selected work life story poetry -
Untitled
1993
single work
review
— Appears in: Viewpoint : On Books for Young Adults , Winter vol. 1 no. 2 1993; (p. 31)
— Review of Broken Dreams 1992 selected work life story poetry -
Defiant after a `Little Crisis'
1992
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , September no. 144 1992; (p. 46)
— Review of Broken Dreams 1992 selected work life story poetry -
Forecasts
1992
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Bookseller & Publisher , July vol. 72 no. 1028 1992; (p. 29-30)
— Review of Broken Dreams 1992 selected work life story poetry -
Author Finds Keys to Freedom on a Typewriter
1991
single work
criticism
biography
— Appears in: The Age , 25 September 1991; (p. 5) The Sydney Morning Herald , 25 September 1991;
-
Urban and Other Aboriginal Writing
1997
single work
review
— Appears in: Ulitarra , no. 11 1997; (p. 110-113)
— Review of Holocaust Island 1990 selected work poetry ; Broken Dreams 1992 selected work life story poetry -
Forecasts
1992
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Bookseller & Publisher , July vol. 72 no. 1028 1992; (p. 29-30)
— Review of Broken Dreams 1992 selected work life story poetry -
Defiant after a `Little Crisis'
1992
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , September no. 144 1992; (p. 46)
— Review of Broken Dreams 1992 selected work life story poetry -
Untitled
1993
single work
review
— Appears in: Viewpoint : On Books for Young Adults , Winter vol. 1 no. 2 1993; (p. 31)
— Review of Broken Dreams 1992 selected work life story poetry -
Author Finds Keys to Freedom on a Typewriter
1991
single work
criticism
biography
— Appears in: The Age , 25 September 1991; (p. 5) The Sydney Morning Herald , 25 September 1991;