Martin Playne

A new book on the social history of the Port Phillip District between 1839 and 1854, depicted by following in detail the lives of two early pioneers - Dr George Playne and Daniel Jennings. The book throws new light on medicine in the 1840s, and on the endeavours to improve squatters’ conditions and to form a new colony. This book is a culmination of ten years’ research in Australia and England. The book illustrates the historical value of examining, in detail, lives of individuals during those boisterous years of early settlement and the gold rush between 1839 and 1854, using genealogical research techniques. These two men took up occupancy of the large Campaspe Plains Station in central Victoria. One was a rich, but eccentric land agent, Daniel Jennings; the other, a serious, well-qualified surgeon from a poor Gloucestershire family, Dr George Playne. After five years, they went their separate ways. Jennings remained a squatter and land investor, while Playne moved to Melbourne to practise medicine. He became part of the colonial establishment, helping to establish a medical association, a hospital and to achieve the formation of the colony of Victoria. Their lives from birth to death and that of their families have been explored in depth. The book is lavishly illustrated with 85 maps, plans and images. Author Biography: Dr Martin Playne has had a career as a research scientist in CSIRO. He graduated from the University of Queensland in agricultural science, majoring in biochemistry. He gained a PhD from the University of Edinburgh. He has some 119 scientific publications. Ten years of detailed historical and genealogical research has led to this volume. Two Squatters is the author’s first book on social history.