From Where We Are

About the Book

An autobiography is a kaleidoscope of a person’s life. This memoir is no different because it offers the reader insights into Bryan Hogan’s family origins, early farming life, the religious observance of his family, the life of the communities in which he lived and any number of anecdotes and stories that make for a most engaging tale. Every stage of his ‘journey’, as he likes to call it, is marked with a keen sense of observation regarding human nature – including his own foibles – and the vagaries of life. He is impacted by tragedies that beset his family and the local communities, but never falters in a positive outlook: ‘a man can find joy and peace wherever he is born.’ Although the story is a continuous tale of the author’s family adventures, travels and passage through life, it is possible to delve into any section and enjoy a thought-provoking read.

About the Author

Bryan Hogan, born in 1930 at Donald central Victoria of farming parents, is fourth in a family of eight and was educated locally. He began farming with his father at 17, driving a team of 10 horses for grain growing. At 28 he married Noreen Byrne and lived at Watchem. An opportunity to be involved in the purchase of Boonoke Merino stud in New South Wales, led to his appointment as co-manager. After three years, the family moved to Horsham for the children’s primary and secondary education. There Bryan was involved in a variety of ventures that included subdivision, a grain centre, and improving farming properties. In 1990, the family moved to Mayfield, 20 kilometres west of Albury, where they were within reach of tertiary education institutes offering a variety of courses. Bryan and Noreen retired in 2006 and now live in Corowa.