An Australian Story

Book excerpt: William Charker, for your part in the burglary of the dwelling of Thomas Evans at St. Mary Lambeth and stealing goods to the value of 33.60 you are at this moment sentenced, to 7 years transportation in the colony of New South Wales. And so starts the saga of an Australian Family. Although this is the story of my ancestors, it is also the story of Australia. An Australian Story follows the story of William and his descendants' over two centuries Along the way. An Australian Story portrays the harsh reality of the early struggles of the pioneering families offset by their joys of discovery and family relationships. Sacrifice in two world wars is ballanced by the return to the relaxed Australian lifestyle during the period between the wars and witness the family as the world around them changes. An Australian Story concludes with the death of William Chalker s great, great, great granddaughter in 1998. An Australian Story is the history of a country as seen by one family