Substance

Substance

A Man Of Substance

April 1973

Incense, poppies, blue polish, the old lie

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Rowan Thornwell
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R.J. Thornwell
Sep 19, 2025
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Incense in the nave, smoke on the courtyard air, a thumb painted blue. Easter Mass thick with ritual, ANZAC speeches under a shade sail, and Owen’s old lie passed from a teacher’s hand.

The rest of 1973 will unfold here over the coming months. If you want the whole story now, you can buy the book today.



For extra context, you will find below two brief companions to this chapter, a guide to the Australian details and a history note on the headlines of April 1973.

Guide to Australian Colloquialism

The News Headlines inside April 1973

⚠️ This work contains domestic and family violence, coercive control, and a child’s fear; please read with care and step away if needed. ❤️Reader Care

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