G'day again,

By the way, I see that Dennis O'Keefe ... who became very much involved with research into the circumstances and background to the composition of Waltzing Malilda ... has just published a new book on the matter. Check out at "http://www.waltzingmatilda.net.au/".

Dennis worked with an earlier researcher ... who backed away from the topic when he started to find quite a twisted tale of Paterson's 'love life' ... and a consequent falling out with the McPherson family (well-off graziers in Queensland).

Reading the book is probably the only way of comprehending the whole sordid mess ... overlaid on the Workers / Employers tensions of the great Shearers' Strike of 1891 / Paterson's relations with his women / possible police involvement in the death of a striker / MacPherson's involvement as local 'magistrate' ... into matters on his own property ... the whole 'Matilda Mess'!

Regard(les0s,

Bob