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FACT OR FICTION?
Why did the British Government invest a fortune in 1787 to send the worst of its people to the other side of the world? And what was behind the mysterious disappearance of French naval hero and explorer La Perouse, whose two frigates arrived in Botany Bay only days after the First Fleet?
Marine Captain Watkin Tench's daily journals open a new perspective on international politics in the late 18th century and explain why English spymaster Evan Nepean insisted Tench take part in the Botany Bay expedition. They expose the British Government's real intentions in the South Seas, and reveal a secret society vital to the convict colony's survival.
Tench explores the background of the convicts on board his prison ship Charlotte, finding many are quite different from their depiction as "dregs of society".
Along the way he discovers much about his fellow man (and woman) and befriends two convict veterans who fought on opposite sides in the American War of Independence. This friendship will save his life, but put theirs in danger. And he discovers more and more about the secret life of the Governor, Arthur Phillip, whose destiny became entwined with naval hero La Perouse and the Frenchman's wife.
Tench, Phillip and their secret society form critical alliances with both convicts and the indigenous population. And they become increasingly concerned about the actions and intentions of La Perouse until the French ships leave Botany Bay, never to return, leaving a mystery which has never been solved - until now.
About the author
Russell Schneider AM was born in Sydney and grew up in Newtown. He started his career as a Journalist with the Sydney Daily Telegraph, became News Ltd's Canberra Bureau Chief and Political Correspondent for The Australian newspaper between 1978 and 1983 during which time he wrote two books and a weekly column on politics. He has been adviser to a Federal Minister, ran an industry association for 22 years, then became Director of a major Australian company.
In 2015 he took part in the Museum of Australian Democracy's oral history program reflecting on life in Australia's Old Parliament House. (https://oralhistories.moadoph.gov.au/russell-schneider), and in 2016 became Chair of a Task Force set up to deal with a massive flying fox colony which had settled in the township of Batemans Bay.
He has maintained a deep interest in the history of early Australian settlement particularly as shown through the journals and books written by those with first- hand experience of the venture. His Facebook page First Fleet-myths and mysteries-what your teachers didn't tell you reveals little known facts about the late 1780's.
As well as being an amateur historian Russell dabbles in local politics, tries to paint in water colours, shares cooking with his wife Pamela, and looks over the gorgeous waters of Broulee bay, once entry port for the Mogo and Araluen goldfields, on the far south coast of New South Wales.
Russell was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2008.
