A brilliant evocation of country life in Australia during the depression.
While Snowy and Simmo stretch out the painting of the publican's roof and wangle their way into any bits of work they can find, Snowy tells tales of the notorious, inventive and lovable Chilla. Chilla's roguish scams and road nous soon endear him to us forever and, just here and there, we find ourselves brushing away a tear as well.
We enter a world of harsh childhood experiences in an orphanage and foster homes in an era when children were often fostered to provide extra farm labour; of heroic droving feats, rum and Chillla's dispatching of local bullies; and of chats and tall tales by the campfire and in the saddler's shop.
'Chilla's Apprentice' is a collection of tales of a vanishing Australia during the Great Depression. It's an Australia populated by wandering swagman on foot, exploring the length and breadth of the country, making camp wherever they can. It's a world of hardship, humour, resourcefulness, and a spirit which never-says-die.
