Character guide

Tom Collins

major

Also known as Collins, Tom, Mr. Collins, Thomas Collins, Terrible Tommy, Tommy

The narrator and central figure, a bullock driver and philosopher observing life in the Riverina.

Steve Thompson

major

Also known as Thompson, Mr. Thompson, Stephen Thompson

A bullock driver and close friend of Tom Collins, often involved in the main narrative.

Mosey Price

supporting

Also known as Price, Old Price

A boundary rider and eccentric character with a philosophical bent.

Warrigal Alf

supporting

Also known as Alf

A rough but good-hearted bushman and bullock driver.

Rory O'Halloran

supporting

Also known as Rory, Brave old Rory, Poor old Rory

An old Irishman and father of Mary, a tragic figure in the story.

Moriarty

supporting

Also known as Mr. Moriarty

A local squatter and magistrate, often a figure of authority.

Alf Jones

supporting

Also known as Jones

A bullock driver and companion to Tom Collins.

Cooper

supporting

A bullock driver and associate of the main characters.

Mary O'Halloran

supporting

Also known as Molly, pore Molly, Mary

Rory's daughter, a young woman central to a tragic subplot.

Alf Morris

supporting

Also known as Morris

A bullock driver and friend of the narrator.

Willoughby

supporting

A station owner or manager, part of the social landscape.

Bob Dixon

supporting

Also known as Dixon, Bert

A bullock driver and acquaintance of Tom Collins.

Barefooted Bob

minor

Also known as Bob, Bert

A distinctive bush character known for going barefoot.

Dan O'Connell

supporting

Also known as Dan, Daniel O'Connell

A bullock driver and friend of the narrator.

Stewart

supporting

Also known as Mr. Stewart, the Stewart

A squatter and local authority figure.

Jack the Shellback

supporting

Also known as Jack

A sailor turned bushman with a colorful past.

Ida

supporting

Also known as poor Ida

A woman involved in a romantic subplot.

Pup

minor

A young boy or dog, possibly a minor character.

Martin

minor

Also known as ole Martin, Mr. Martin

An older bullock driver or station hand.

Priestley

minor

Also known as So Priestley

A minor character, possibly a station worker.

Jack

minor

Also known as Young Jack, Dear Jack

A young man, possibly a relative or friend.

Toby

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or worker.

Mrs. Beaudesart

minor

A woman of some social standing in the district.

The Stranger

minor

An enigmatic figure who appears briefly in the narrative.

Mr. Smythe

minor

Also known as Smythe

A minor character, possibly a station owner.

Ole Sollicker

minor

Also known as Sollicker, Old Sollicker

An eccentric bush character with a distinctive name.

Mr. Montgomery

minor

Also known as Montgomery

A local resident, possibly a squatter.

Tom Armstrong

minor

Also known as Tom, poor Tom, Armstrong

A bullock driver who meets a tragic end.

Bendigo Bill

minor

Also known as Bill

A bushman from Bendigo, a minor character.

Nosey Alf

minor

Also known as Alf, Nosey

A minor character with a distinctive nickname.

Bum

minor

A minor character, possibly a derogatory nickname.

Dad

minor

An older man, possibly a father figure.

Dick

minor

Also known as Dick L⸺

A minor character, possibly a station hand.

M'Nab

minor

Also known as Mr. M'Nab

A Scottish character, possibly a station manager.

Burke

minor

A minor character, possibly a bullock driver.

Archie

minor

Also known as Archie M⸺

A minor character, possibly a young man.

Joe Collins

minor

Also known as Mr. Collins, Joseph, Collins

A different Collins, possibly a relative of Tom.

Saunders

minor

Also known as the patient Saunders

A patient and long-suffering character.

Mrs. Montgomery

minor

Wife of Mr. Montgomery, a minor character.

Prescott

minor

Also known as Mr. Prescott

A minor character, possibly a professional man.

Magomery

minor

Also known as Mr. Magomery

A minor character, possibly a variant of Montgomery.

Ole Q⸺

minor

Also known as Mr. Q⸺

A minor character with an abbreviated name.

Tregarvis

minor

Also known as ole Tregarvis, Young Tregarvis, young Tregarvis

A family of minor characters, father and son.

Monte Cristo

minor

A minor character, possibly a nickname.

Jerry

minor

A minor character, possibly a station hand.

Ike Cunningham

minor

Also known as Cunningham, Hairy-toothed Ike

A minor character with a distinctive appearance.

Charley Cross

minor

Also known as Cross

A minor character, possibly a bullock driver.

Tammas

minor

A Scottish minor character.

Andrews

minor

Also known as Whereupon Andrews

A minor character, possibly a station worker.

Donovan

minor

Also known as the Don Juan

A minor character with a romantic reputation.

Charley Webber

minor

Also known as Charley

A minor character, possibly a bullock driver.

Donal M'Gregor

minor

Also known as M'Gregor

A Scottish minor character.

Young Mooney

minor

Also known as Mooney, old Mooney, bar Mooney

A minor character, possibly a family member.

Young Arblaster

minor

Also known as Arblaster

A minor character, possibly a young man.

Tam M'Callum

minor

Also known as M'Callum, Tam

A Scottish minor character.

Bat

minor

A minor character, possibly a nickname.

Captain Royce

minor

Also known as Royce

A military man or ship captain, minor character.

Bob Stirling

minor

Also known as Bob, this Bob Stirling

A minor character, possibly a bullock driver.

Damper

minor

A minor character, possibly a nickname from bush food.

Timothy Collins

minor

Also known as Collins, Sir Timothy Collins

A minor character, possibly a relative of Tom.

Charley V⸺

minor

Also known as Charley

A minor character with an abbreviated surname.

Helsmok

minor

Also known as Missa Helsmok

A minor character with an unusual name.

Baxter

minor

A minor character, possibly a station hand.

Ax Billy

minor

Also known as Billy

A minor character, possibly a woodcutter.

Jack Ward

minor

Also known as Ward

A minor character, possibly a bullock driver.

Mr. T. Collins

minor

Also known as Collins

A minor character, possibly a variant of Tom Collins.

Rudolph Winterbottom

minor

Also known as Winterbottom, Mr. Rudolph Winterbottom

A minor character with a formal name.

Mr. Spanker

minor

Also known as Spanker

A minor character, possibly a station owner.

Martin Schoen

minor

Also known as Martin

A minor character, possibly a foreigner.

Posthumus

minor

A minor character, possibly a literary allusion.

Bert Smythe

minor

Also known as Bert

A minor character, possibly related to Mr. Smythe.

Commander David Collins

minor

Also known as Dave, Collins

A historical figure mentioned as a character.

Holmes

minor

A minor character, possibly a station hand.

Mr. Folkestone

minor

Also known as Folkestone

A minor character, possibly a visitor.

Mr. B⸺

minor

Also known as B⸺

A minor character with an abbreviated name.

Edward Stanley Vivian

minor

Also known as Eddie

A minor character with a full formal name.

Moore

minor

A minor character, possibly a station hand.

Ben Cartwright

minor

Also known as Cartwright, Benjamin

A minor character, possibly a bullock driver.

Andrew Glover

minor

Also known as Andrew

A minor character, possibly a station hand.