The Gifts of FRANK COBBOLD by Arthur W Upfield and edited by Sandra Berry is back in print and available now from this website.
This biography of Frank Cobbold opens when Frank goes to sea on a Clipper aged 14. It follows him through experience as a Fijian trader who escaped the cannibals’ cook pot and survived one of the worst hurricanes in living memory. In Australia he learned the skills of a surveyor and quickly became a sought-after and trusted station manager. Despite problems that would have defeated a less resolute man he took droughts, cheats and unyielding land tenure regulations in his stride to become one of Australia’s great pioneering pastoralists. Admired by fellow bush men, trusted by his partners and wooed by bankers, his gritty determination earned him a small fortune which he gave away. It’s a remarkable story.
Arthur William Upfield (1890-1964) wrote this biography shortly before Frank’s death. It seems that there was something contentious at the time because Frank’s widow, Bea would not allow publication. Following her death the typescript went as part of the residue of Frank’s estate to the Royal United Kingdom Beneficent Association now called Independent Age from whence it was acquired by The Cobbold Family History Trust which arranged its first publication in 2008.
A combination of Frank’s extraordinary life in the bush and the literally life-changing impact of his legacy, still appreciated today, make this a ‘must read’ book, and good value at only £12.
