A CRITICAL BIOGRAPHY OF EDWIN JAMES BRADY - Mallacoota ...

The list of contents in Australia Unlimited covers most of the important aspects of the
nation and its way of life. A deft touch is the inclusion as a Frontispiece of Dorothea
Mackella’s well0know patriotic poem, “My County”, with its uncanny re-creation of
the spirit of the land. As Brady points out, the problem with this types of voluminous
publication is deciding what is to be left out. With his inclusions (historical, cultural
and intellectual, geographical, commercial and industrial aspects) he has attained an
adequate coverage, but he can be criticised for his neglect of the educational systems
of the various states, particularly considering that one of the avowed purposes of the
volume is to inform prospective immigrants what can be expected. True, Brady does
express regret for the omission, but its absence seems unnecessary.
The personal reminiscences of the other books in this area are largely missing from
Australia Unlimited, as is to be expected, but Brady’s optimism shines through the
journalistic record of settlement, exploration, political evolution and the development
of a complex and individualistic civilisation. Compiled, as it was, from many official
sources as well as personal and paid canvassing, its comprehensiveness is cause for
praise and it is understandable that it soon became the standard reference work on
Australia in schools, diplomatic offices and in government departments. Although
badly dated after half a century, when looked at in its context it must be recognised as
a remarkable administrative and journalistic achievement, as well, perhaps, as a
literary one. The volume was well received by the public and critics, one reviewer
summarising his opinion by stating that “Australia has seldom been better or more
comprehensively illustrated,” 1 while most praised both its content and its highly
creditable production. 2
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Later, when contemplating the production of a film of Australia Unlimited, he made
clear that the writing of it had drawn him to the inescapable conclusion the Australia’s
national needs could be covered by four words: Immigration, Occupation, Expansion,
Preparation – the increase of population through a programme of rapid expansion of
immigration; the settlement of the vast, unoccupied inland areas of the country and
the achievement of productivity from them; the expansion of all industries, primary
and secondary, which would follow from increased efficiency and the achievement of
the previous two needs; and the preparation of the nation both to take its place in
world affairs as an independent entity and to defend itself against outside attack,
particularly from Asian sources. Although the film never evolved (the enthusiasm of
the man secured a following but the proposed company which was to make it went
bankrupt) Brady’s vision of the need for a controlled programme of national
development in the manner described is further evidence of his vision, his social
involvement and concern.
In this area of geographic and commercial prose, Brady, personal travels add a
directness and freshness of observation which make his work effective in presenting a
realistic picture of Australia to an audience whose view was restricted, for travel is not
easy on account of the vast distances involved, undeveloped railways and poor roads.
In fact, in one of the few personal experiences in Australia Unlimited, Brady gives an
account of a trip by car over a mountain road in Victoria which can only be described
as hair-raising. 3
1 The Sydney Daily Telegraph, 7.9.1918.
2 For example, The Argus, 2.8.1918
3 Pp. 350-351.