The Colony - Belinda Gibbon

In 1788, The British Empire planted the seed of a new civilisation on the edge of an invisible fantastic land - Australia - eight months hard sailing from home.

Two centuries later a modern-day cast of English, Irish and Australian characters were sent back in time to see if they could survive in the conditions of the early settlement of New South Wales. The result was the fascinating SBS Living History series 'The Colony'.

For four months, participants ate the same food, wore the same clothes, built and slept in the same shelters, used the same tools, and lived by the same harsh rules as their ancestors. Drawing on extensive historical sources, participants' diaries and interviews. Belinda Gibbon delves further into the unique experience. The result is a fascinating blend of historical discovery, social jeopardy, personal challenge and experiential learning through the gruelling chores of daily life, cross-cultural strains, class strictures and struggles.

These modern-day pioneers uncovered the strength of will, inventiveness, good humour and tenacity necessary to survive in an unforgiving land, and almost certainly revealed something about the characteristics of those who forged the Australian spirit. From extreme weather to medical emergencies, dangerous wildlife and blossoming romance, Gibbon explores how 21st century desires at times conflicted with the producers' expectations of how the series would unfold, as a community emerged as hardy and resilient as anything the real colony ever saw.

Author: Belinda Gibbon

Random House Australia
ISBN: 1740513770
RRP $34.95

Review:
An insight look into how Australia was colonised and characterised. Facing harsh conditions, the settlers ignorance, arrogance and weakness show through, but just as all hope is lost the true Australian spirit of strength, good humour and survival shine through.