Sunflowers in the Desert
In the later years of 1700, numerous prison hulks began to sail the long and treacherous journey from England to Port Jackson, in New South Wales. Elizabeth VEALE (NSW), born in 1767, loses her father at a young age. Within a short time, her mother remarries a man who dislikes the sight of her. Cast aside, she is raised by a Vicar and his family, in the sleepy Devonshire village of Bridgerule, England.
As Elizabeth reaches womanhood, the vicarage is in turmoil fighting for the rights of the sentenced prisoners and against the crime wave that is affecting the village. Her personal future looks even more uncertain as her day to day duties offer her some reward but no husband. An attack at the riverside one day, brings John MACARTHUR, rushing to her rescue. She is intrigued by the handsome stranger and in a brief time, the young Macarthur manages to win Elizabeth’s affections.
John MACARTHUR, a penniless ambitious officer, has no intention of staying in Devon. Once married to Elizabeth, he is assigned a post in colonial New South Wales. Determined to go to the far side of the world with John, she and their first son Edward, set out amongst the felons on the long and arduous sea voyage. As free settlers, the Macarthur’s are encouraged to claim land and start farms to help bring food to the town.
Elizabeth’s fascination with botany assists in the founding of Elizabeth Farm which slowly successfully grows in the production of food and wool. John’s dogmatic interests in running an economical colony by his own means, disrupts the work of several colonial Governors. From regular clashes of interest and political unrest, he develops a bad reputation and is exiled from the colony twice.
Left with her young children to manage the farm and trading endeavours, Elizabeth grows to be a wise and respected business woman who wins the support of the leading Generals and Council members. Despite bush fires, drought and hardship, over the years the Macarthur household pulls together to grow in strength.
Owning the most successful farm at this time, the couple have many moments of shared glory. However, all is not well with John Macarthur during the latter years, which brings the future of the farm into question.
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