Shifting Horizons

The novel is a story of two families, the Cabots from Jersey and the Closes from Wiltshire. The years span the first half of the nineteenth century. Significant incidents of hardship and injustice lead both families to migrate to the colony of Victoria.

The families meet for the first time on the Time and Truth, a barque, that did, in actual fact, sail from Plymouth in September, 1852 and berth at Point Henry in January, 1853. Experiences on the ship cement the relationships of the four main characters to each other and to their friends.

Both families live in Geelong for one year, the Cabots in the town and the Closes on land at Kardinia. In 1854 the Closes move to another farm in the Buninyong district and the Cabots go to the fledgling town of Ballarat.

The novel is not about the search for gold, although the diggings do have an impact. There is no lucky find, no easy solution. The novel is about ordinary people striving to better themselves in a land new to them. It is a tale of determination, resolve and hope.

About the Author: 

June Close, born in Ballarat, spent her early childhood years on the family farm in Burrumbeet, and later years in Melbourne. She attended Melbourne University and completed an Arts degree majoring in English and Philosophy. A teaching career followed centred on English Language, Literature and Classics. During this time she returned to Post Graduate study at Monash University, and attained a Master of Arts degree with a thesis on Shakespeare. This was followed by a Master of Educational Studies degree at the same university. Since her retirement she has taken a special interest in music and writing poetry and prose. This novel developed as a result of her research into family history and of her particular interest in the first half of the nineteenth century.