Set in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) during Australia’s convict era, this story by Price Warung describes how a devout but greedy parson who refuses the Governor’s request to reduce his exorbitant marriage fee comes to be acknowledged as one of the “fathers of the colony”. Although most couples lived informally at the time, marriage was strongly encouraged and offered several advantages… for convicts, less harsh treatment and a fast track to freedom (a ticket-of-leave), and for farmers, the possibility of an extra grant of land. Themes include greed, infidelity, defiance, conspiracy, institutional corruption and abuse of power.
Historical Note: Although Parson Ford is a fictitious character his predecessor in the story, Parson Knopwood, (pictured in the above painting) was not only real but is accurately portrayed in terms of his famed liking for alcohol.