Chapter 2 – Rolling the Swag

Whether starting the day as a ringer in a stock camp, a drover in a remote part of Australia, or a traveller somewhere in the far-flung reaches of the Outback, the first act of the day is to roll your swag. A swag is not only your bed. It is your castle and wardrobe. It is often your only respite from the harsh toughness of the Australian bush. When looking for a seat to sit around the fire, your swag is that seat. When choosing a place to rest on the hard, rocky ground, mesmerised by the moon and stars above as the fire slowly burns into the night, your swag is that support. When it is raining with no shelter available, your swag will provide the little protection enjoyed. When it is winter, when the chill of a cold morning forms as ice on top of a horse’s water bucket, your swag keeps you warm and dry. The older it becomes, the more it reflects its owner’s very persona. In many ways, it tells the world its owner’s story. Reflecting its sanctity and importance, the unwritten rule of the bush is to never interfere with another man’s swag. Moreover, when it is time for walkabout, when it is time to travel the rugged vastness of the Australian Outback, it is one of the most important possessions you will actually take.