A picture, even a triptych such as that painted by McCubbin can only tell part of any complex story, but my research underlines the narrowness of the portrait of the pioneer emigrant propounded in Australian mythology. The pioneers in this study, the Waltons and the Hanlons did not simply cope with the adversities sent their way. Their various oceanic passages were a step towards personal transformation. In their decision to migrate, and their subsequent life choices, they reveal themselves to be canny agents of their own destiny who were resilient in the face of hardship, but also able to take advantage of opportunities that presented themselves in urban as well as rural areas
