From that quick synopsis in the classroom I instantly needed to know more. However, my high school outdoor education teacher once told me the story of William Buckley. At school I didn’t learn much about the indigenous cultural significance of the land in which I grew up. The coastal environments provided ample opportunity to explore and wonder why things and places were as they were. I was so lucky to grow up on the Surf Coast of Victoria, a place of incredible natural beauty and diversity. While his name may be common in our vernacular, not too many people know the tale of William Buckley.

William Buckley was an English convict who escaped from a settlement in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, and spent the next 32 years living amongst an Aboriginal community west of modern-day Melbourne. Have you ever used the phrase ‘ you’ve got Buckley’s chance’ and wondered who Buckley was and why they had so little chance? The Life and Adventures of William Buckley is a captivating story of survival and clashing cultures that every Australian should read. Life and Adventures of William Buckley - Tim Flannery, John Morgan and William Buckley Here is a collection of stories that have left an indelible mark on me and fostered a deep respect and value for the natural world.

They enrich our lives and provide inspiration for our own journeys. They have the power to transport us to another place, time or perspective.

In Search of Hobart by Peter Timms