Luke's Kingdom

It's 1829, Jason Firbeck, a retired naval Leiutenant, recently widowed arrives with his family - Samuel, his elder son, Luke, his second son and Jassy his daughter - in NSW, where land granted by influential friends, supposedly awaits him.

Jason Firbeck, shocked to discover land assigned to him is occupied by another, tries to sort out the legal aspects of ownership.

Luke has taken control of the family and has occupied land in the wilderness. The family have thus become 'squatters'.

In squatters territory it is law of the strong that prevails and Cormac Doyle, an English-hating Irishman, sets his sights on occupying Luke's kingdom

In New South Wales in the 1830s convicts were granted "Tickets to Leave" to find employment on their own account. However one mistake, the slightest misdemeanor, and the ticket could be withdrawn.

The Firbecks have been squatters for two years. The building of a timber homestead is finished and an area of land cleared. The arrival of an uninvited guest causes complications for Luke because of an association he builds up with Jassy.