On the Track

Henry Lawson was born in rural New South Wales on 17 June 1867. Like many of Australia's early eminent writers, Lawson's work was first brought to public attention in The Bulletin, to which he later became a regular contributor. Lawson is most famed for his portrayal of rural life and the Australian bush scene, pioneering a writing style as sparse as his subject. At a time where nationhood and national character were questioned, Lawson's writing contributed to the construction of an Australian literary identity that was distinct from that of England.

• PrefaceThe songs they used to singA vision of sandy blightAndy Page’s rivalThe iron-bark chip‘Middleton’s Peter’The mystery of Dave ReganMitchell on matrimonyMitchell on womenNo place for a womanMitchell’s jobsBill the ventriloquial roosterBush catsMeeting old matesTwo larrikinsMr Smellingscheck‘A rough shed’Payable goldAn oversight of Steelman’sHow Steelman told his story