A Way Through: The Life of Rick Farley

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Rick Farley was an extraordinary man. As head of the Cattlemen's Union and National Farmers' Federation, a key figure in the Landcare movement and a public campaigner for Indigenous rights and Reconciliation, Farley had an insider's view of many key political and social changes in Australia over his thirty years in the public eye. Aligned at various stages with the National Party, ALP and the Australian Democrats, Farley was a political enigma who nevertheless had a straightforward mission: for all Australians 'to care a lot better for our country'. When he died in a tragic accident in 2006, aged 53, the overwhelming grief and heartfelt tributes of his family, friends, supporters and old adversaries spoke volumes about his achievements and his much-admired ability to find a way through adversity and complex negotiations. A Way Through is the engrossing story of a unique man whose determination and sense of justice has left a lasting legacy for many Australians.

Reviews

From the perspective of our current ugly politics, Rick Farley sometimes seems like a character from another century instead of another decade. His biography shows a person who could seamlessly cross the boundaries of different groups and interests and find a connection with people who trusted him and respected his pragmatic and sensible approach to finding solutions where others only found conflict. Laura Tingle, political editor, "Australian Financial Review""
Our mate [Rick Farley] was a champion who carried the vision of reconciliation and justice for Indigenous people in his heart and in his hands. Patrick Dodson, former chairman, Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation"
Rick Farley s deep compassion was shaped by our harsh history, and his vision, so informed, was a better future. Australians will long remember his role in resolving the great environmental and social issues of his day. Tim Flannery, Australian environmentalist and global warming activist"
Rick Farley, a consummate professional, was the broadest thinking representative of any agripolitical organization in Australia. This fascinating book is a worthy tribute to him and the ongoing importance of agricultural politics to Australia s future. John Kerin, Australian economist and former Australian Labor Party politician"
"From the perspective of our current ugly politics, Rick Farley sometimes seems like a character from another century instead of another decade. His biography shows a person who could seamlessly cross the boundaries of different groups and interests and find a connection with people who trusted him and respected his pragmatic and sensible approach to finding solutions where others only found conflict." --Laura Tingle, political editor, "Australian Financial Review"
"Our mate [Rick Farley] was a champion who carried the vision of reconciliation and justice for Indigenous people in his heart and in his hands." --Patrick Dodson, former chairman, Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation
"Rick Farley, a consummate professional, was the broadest thinking representative of any agripolitical organization in Australia. This fascinating book is a worthy tribute to him and the ongoing importance of agricultural politics to Australia's future." --John Kerin, Australian economist and former Australian Labor Party politician
"Rick Farley's deep compassion was shaped by our harsh history, and his vision, so informed, was a better future. Australians will long remember his role in resolving the great environmental and social issues of his day." --Tim Flannery, Australian environmentalist and global warming activist

Author Bio

Susan Boden is a landscape architect and teacher who studied the impact on Australian landscapes of unsettled Aboriginal non-Aboriginal relations. Nicholas Brown is a historian of Australia s changing social, political, and economic context in the 20th century. He is the former Keith Cameron Chair in Australian History at the University College Dublin in Ireland and the former deputy editor of the "Australian Dictionary of Biography.""