Bagman to Swagman: Tales of Broome, the North-West and Other Australian Adventures - Hardcover

Alistair McAlpine has conducted a lifelong love affair with Australia. He's bought large chunks of it, developed some and turned others into a zoo and nature parks, and has travelled much of the length and breadth of the Continent. Arriving in Australia in his early twenties as a junior member of the English family building conglomerate McAlpines, he soon became involved in building Perth's first luxury hotel, the famous Parmelia and other projects followed. He was a pioneer of 'eco-tourism' with his development of Broome, creating the world-famous Cable Beach Club and also a remarkable zoo, which rapidly became known for the success of its breeding programs for the world's endangered species. A restless soul, Alistair McAlpine has continually traversed the country by light aircraft and four-wheel drive and his deep love and respect for the Australian outback and its people comes through these pages. An inveterate collector of art, artefacts and characters, Alistair McAlpine has long been concerned that Aboriginal artists should receive the recognition and rewards that are their due. He has spent many years building up superb collections of Aboriginal paintings

Alistair McAlpine (Lord McAlpine of West Green) has been a director of the family-run construction firm, Sir Robert McAlpine and Sons Ltd, for over thirty years. He was Treasurer of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990 and its Deputy Chairman from 1979 to 1983. In 1996 his public espousal of the cause of Sir James Goldsmith's Referendum Party made headline news. He is a regular contributor to the Spectator, the Mail on Sunday and other papers and has been actively involved in the arts for many years.