Wimmera

Set in a small town in western Victoria, this novel starts by telling of the friendship at primary school between two young boys, Ben and Fab. In their spare time they enjoyed playing cricket and going yabbying but they both were aware that Fab's father was often cruel to his son. Then the young girl who lived next door to Ben committed suicide. When a new neighbour moves into the house next door to Ben the boys keep watch on him and soon realise that this man could be dangerous.

The years pass and Fab is still in the town looking for a stable job. Ben had gone to a different secondary school and the boys had lost touch with each other. Fab was having trouble settling down. He drank too much and would also take drugs from time to time. He had befriended a fellow worker, Afriki, who had plans to go and find a job in Melbourne. Fab had decided to go with him when, one day, a policeman tapped him on the shoulder and wanted to talk to him.

Wimmera by Mark Brandi explores the the dark world of child abuse and the difficulties faced by the victims in trying to lead a 'normal' life when they are unable to tell anyone about what they encountered.