About Starting Over

William Guest and Martha Gregory were separately convicted of theft and sentenced to transportation, arriving in Hobart in 1843.   William was damaged both physically and mentally by the time he arrived and Martha was grieving for the newborn son she left behind.

They met and once they each had a Ticket of Leave, began their married lives as innkeepers.  William became a well-known larrikin hitting the headlines of the Courier.

Gold tempted, but with no luck in Tasmania, they moved to Nerrigundah in New South Wales.  There they struck it rich as both miners and innkeepers while raising a family.

William’s health deteriorated and he died young.  Martha grieved his loss but went on to become a successful businesswoman – owning the Nerrigundah inn, a large hotel in Bega and other investments.

Based on real lives this is the story of two convicts starting over in the new land and making a mark on the community.

The book is available here:

https://shop.fortysouth.com.au/collections/new-releases/products/starting-over-by-jan-westerink-pb