This book describes a significant part of Australia's journey from a convict colony to a nation seeking its own identity. In the late 19th century, Australians grappled with a sense of inferiority as a lower status component of the British Empire. Second and third-generation Australians who visited Britain were called “colonials". Even with the primitive cable communication of the time, news, including British newspapers, and the “royal” mail had a six-week journey by steamship to reach NSW.
There was a national quest for recognition. One way of achieving this was through sport. Dally Messenger, a rugby league sensation, captivated audiences in Great Britain with his extraordinary genius on the football field. His achievements in the “mother country”, where he was dubbed “The Master” brought immense pride to New South Wales.
Upon his return with the New Zealand team in early 1908, Messenger was honoured at a number of civic receptions. A scroll presented to him in one of these celebrations bore a powerful tribute:
"No name has added more glory to the fame of our country than your own."
This is his story.
(ebook & pdf information: https://dallymessenger.com/book-dally-messenger-by-dally-messenger-iii/ )