Fair Dinkum

I currently own four of Lockwood's books, and this is the first I have read. In 1941, during the Second World War, the Herald needed a Northern Territory reporter. Having offered the position the all the staff with no takers, they offered it to Lockwood, a junior reporter, at a sprightly 23 years old. Only problem was, it was a post for a married man - a single man couldn't been given a full house for accommodation! Lockwood asked for an hour to remedy that problem, asked his girlfriend to marry him and move to Darwin, and it was all go.His first problem was getting there. No airliners in those times, so it was an eight-seater which made shot hops to Darwin. His airsick wife was not impressed!One of the first occurrences in Darwin was, of course the bombing by the Japanese. He gives over three chapters in this book to describe that event, its aftermath, and some heroic tales. (He has written another book which covers this in much more detail: [b:Australia Under Attack The Bombing Of Darwin-1942 2145715 Australia Under Attack The Bombing Of Darwin-1942 Douglas Lockwood https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1350533518l/2145715.SY75.jpg 2151207], which I picked up recently.The balance of the book covers the area of the Northern Territory - there are chapters about the Aborigines (positive stories generally - Lockwood is definitely a supporter of the indigenous people), of the stations and station owners (pioneers in their own rights), historic figures, and even a couple of news scoops he managed to make (including defecting Russians).Throughout the book he defends his willingness to live in the NT. There are many detractors, many people who think him a fool, but he shows through his writing his love for the territory and its people. He shows clearly the esteem he holds for the tough people who eek out a living in the heat and the dust. He shares his love of the scenery, and the townships (with a fair bit of tongue in cheek ribbing of certain small settlements), and even explains his short lapses when he spent time overseas (during the war, and short times in Melbourne and in London.This is an easy read, there is perhaps nothing startling, but it was enjoyable. I believe it is his second book, and I look forward to his other books - the other two I have, along with the Bombing of Darwin one mentioned above, are both Aboriginal in subject.3.5 stars, rounded up.