The Children of the Wind Series | Book II
Children of the Wind is a sweeping Irish-Australian saga made up of Bridie’s story, Patricks’s story, Colm’s story and Maeve’s story; four inter-linked novels, beginning with the 1850s and moving right up to the present.
Becoming Billy Dare
CBCA Notable Book 2005
Book II | Becoming Billy Dare| 1896 - 1899
Paddy has run away and hidden on board a ship bound for Australia. After surviving the terrors of shipwreck, he faces the big question: how is he to make his way in this strange new land? On the road with a travelling circus, on the run with a wild child, and sleeping rough on the mean streets of Melbourne, Paddy learns to live by his wits. Each adventure brings him closer to discovering his true gift.
Character, choice and destiny intertwine in this richly detailed historical novel, the second in the CHILDREN OF THE WIND quartet.
The How and Why of Becoming Billy Dare
In planning the Children of the Wind books, I didn’t want to write a conventional series that just followed one person’s life nor even of a single family. I wanted to write a series that spanned 150 years of Australian history and have the chance to incorporate as much of its richness as was possible.
The initial inspiration for the story of Billy Dare was a silver medal that my great-aunt gave me when I was twelve years old. My great-grandfather, David MacNamara had won it when he was a boy at school in Dublin. His family had hoped he would become a priest but he ran away from the seminary and shovelled coal on a steamer to get to Australia.
The silver medal awarded to
David MacNamara that inspired
the story of Patrick Delaney
O'Connell Bridge and the statue
of Daniel O'Connell, Dublin 1900
This photo and the stories of
many circus children inspired
the character of Violet
A theatre poster advertising Bland Holt's production of The Great Rescue
In creating the character of Paddy Delaney, I merged my great grandfather’s experiences with the stories of different boys growing up in the late 19th century. Children born in the 1880s witnessed incredible changes in the course of their lives. They watched the world transform itself.
The 1890’s was a fascinating period to research. It was the era of Henry Lawson and the awakening of Australia’s national identity. Just as Paddy Delaney reinvented himself as Billy Dare, Australia was inventing itself as a nation. I wanted to make Paddy become part of that process and so it made sense for him to be involved with the theatre. It also meant that Bridie would inevitably become part of his life.
In the late 19th century, Australia’s entertainment industry was one of the most vibrant in the world. Popular entertainments such as circuses and touring theatre troupes were as important as television is today. They weren’t just a form of entertainment, they were a way of telling important stories about the sort of people Australians were becoming.
In Bridie’s Fire, Bridie O’Connor was searching for a place she could call home. But Paddy Delaney, the main character in Becoming Billy Dare, isn’t so much looking for a home as trying to discover his place in the world. In Ireland, his path was chosen for him but it was not a path that he could follow with his heart. In Australia, he has to make his own way and his own choices.
Interior of the Bijou Theater,
Bourke Street, Melbourne, c. 1890
What the critics wrote about Becoming Billy Dare
This is a great story, beautifully written by Kirsty Murray, who tells it through the eyes of a child… This is a novel but you could easily believe Paddy Delaney existed in Australia’s pioneering days, such is the strength of the story telling. Do not leave it just for the kids to read – grab it before they do!
Weekly Times
February, 2005
I have been awaiting this sequel to “Bridie’s Fire” and I have not been disappointed… My heart poured out to Paddy, and I felt his despair, loneliness and happiness through the book.’
Reading Time
May 2005
An amazing piece of work, a real masterpiece.
Alexandra, 11, Palmerston, ACT
yara-online.org/reviews
I really loved “Becoming Billy Dare”. These books just keep getting better.
Ruby Meredith
Year 10
A thoroughly entertaining and authentic portrayal with well-realised and intriguing characters.
Children’s Book Council of Australia
Notable Books 2005
Links
I found a lot of fascinating research material in the Performing Arts Museum archives. If you are interested in the history of Australian theatre, the Performing Arts Museum is a great place to visit. Find out more about it by visiting the Victorian Arts Centre website:
www.arts.vic.gov.au/arts/general/archive/postcards/PAM.htm
This is an Australian site with information on circus, some great images from Australian circus and links to Australian circuses and museums with circus collections.
http://amol.org.au/discovernet/tales/circus.asp
Australia grew rich on wool and the stories of the shearers are a central part of our history. You can find out more about Australia’s shearing history at:
www.shearoutback.com.au
Click here to check out extracts from Becoming Billy Dare