BUSHCRAFT - THE AUSTRALIAN SWAGMAN!

Today I’m demonstrating what every day life was like for the Australian Swagman, also called a swaggie, sundowner or tussocker.
The Swagman was a person that traveled by foot from farm to farm carrying his belongings in a swag (bedroll). The term originated in Australia in the 19th-century. All the Swaggie's possessions were carried over his shoulder in a roll of canvas - The Swag - never forgetting the essential black billy in hand for cooking and drinking!
Swagmen were particularly common in Australia during times of economic uncertainty, such as the 1890's and the Great Depression of the 1930's.
Today the Swag is a common household name in Australia and the modern swag - with it's fly net, hoops, mattress and creature comforts - originates from these early beginnings.
Enjoy this moment in time with me!
instagram - / richard_musgrave_evans

[@moorshound3243]

Just finished reading dairy of a Welsh swagman, you really could be that man back in the Bush way back when.

[@rogerbayzand4455]

A lovely film Richard, I can imagine Fred McCubbin just out of shot painting "Down on his luck."

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Thanks Roger, that could seem possible ! :)

[@HLsab]

This is Australia, reminds me of growing up in the 60’s in the Eltham , Victoria area . Most Saturday mornings mates and I would head down to local river and camp out for the night , no fancy stuff just the basics . That you Richard for bringing those wonderful memories back .

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Hey no worries, thanks for enjoying Luke!

[@heidi-mariadegruchy7641]

This film was like a piece of performance art in itself! Loved the fact that you just kept the natural sounds and didn't have music or talking, it was very peaceful and beautiful.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Thanks, that was my intention, to let nature RULE!!!

[@casonlionel7121]

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[@arturokhari8359]

@Cason Lionel instablaster ;)

[@casonlionel7121]

@Arturo Khari i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process now. I see it takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@casonlionel7121]

@Arturo Khari It worked and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much, you really help me out !

[@helenrivers7345]

What an awesome ambassador for Australia. You are talented in so many fields Richard. I could just close my eyes and listen to the soundscape...you do the same with your art filming. I wish I could express the emotions your work stirs in me...wonder, awe, excitement - pure joy. Love this country of ours. Thanks again for taking the time and commitment to sharing it with us.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Wow, thank you Helen!!! :-)

[@MMM-dq9jj14up]

And, for ALL you lot , who've come later from another country, NO we ARE NOT ALL FROM CONVICTS. And, how brilliant The Convicts were, with a lot they achieved. Sometimes they were "Shipped out here" for just picking up a dropped hanky. My Family, like others, rarely heard of, were "Free Settlers", when the 'main St of Sydney', was just a foot-wide, of clay, & stones; & down the end of that track, the Tall Ships were at anchor.

[@NagualeroArt]

fantastic again Richard. really interesting, thanks !

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

No worries, thanks Ric!! Cheers Mate 🎨😊

[@SCOR3S3TT3R]

This video is dangerous mate, you're making me want to grab my swag and go on a walk! But really, excellent video, thank you for this mate.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Hey cheers, glad you enjoyed it! Thanks mate👍🤠

[@magicalhistorytour7434]

Magnificent artwork. Thank you for connecting us in the mow to the past

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

It’s my pleasure, thank you 😊

[@Adraganic]

What a life. Thanks Richard for the video.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

No worries, thanks Alek!

[@bicanoo_magic3452]

That's a bloody long walk for a cup of tea!!!

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Lol, yes!!!

[@charitytanel8107]

Great job Richard, not many people know how to survive like this nowadays, appreciate your sharing. Good to have some practical know how skill - might come in handy sometime 😊

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Yes, cheers and thanks!!! :-)

[@abdullahibnrinibnpoat8915]

Love your videos no distraction music just you and nature

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Hey thanks! :-)

[@wayneberry8703]

Good one Richard, you looked like a Bushranger laying under that tree. A very serine video, thanks mate.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Hey Glad you enjoyed Wayne!

[@juliesole6532]

Enjoyed watching your little woodland trip, and seeing the views around you. So peaceful! Was this middle or end of your winter season?

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Cheers Julie, thanks. It's getting near the end of winter now!

[@jimfatyakmcgregor8867]

Looks like a beautiful spot. Great video. thanks for sharing

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Thanks Jim, no worries!!! :)

[@SunShine-nz8kp]

Neat video! I love seeing the real Australia. Thanks.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

No worries, thanks 🎨👍🤠

[@damagecase3271]

Once a jolly Swagman camped by a billabong, he sat and he sang and waited till his Billy boiled....come on everybody now! 🤠👍🇦🇺

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Cheers Brody 👍🤠

[@damagecase3271]

@@richardmusgrave-evans9886 no worries cobber, love the bush and some Billie tea, sadly I don't get out as much as I wish I could and watching this is very calming, likr listening to slim dusty, takes you places where you may never actually find your self, but feel at home there none the less, koooweeee! 🤠

[@mummytumy]

Great Video Richard, but it would have to be coffee for me to do all that. lol cheers mate.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Cheers Owen!!!

[@Southernlandbushcraft]

Loved it mate. Cheers.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Thanks Southern Land Adventures!!!

[@uppanadam74]

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong!!

[@jurassicsilvaoficial1852]

" you'll come a -waltzing matilda ,with me"

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Lol, yes!!!

[@nealeware9163]

G’day mate! Firstly mate lucky bugger, liven the life, good on you and thanks for taken us along with you. No let’s get down to it. Have you ever had scrub itch from siten on the ground? I have had it twice. Yah you’d think you’d learn from the first time. Have a good one mate.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Lol! Cheers Mate!

[@mypetcamera]

Heavenly

[@nancyw2686]

Wonderful.... Thank you.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Thanks Nancy! :)

[@gafanshi]

Big 🧡

[@user-ce5pw6xs3e]

Lovely video, what gear did you have in the swag? Looks like no mattress in it so what do you do when it comes time to sleep? An extra blanket on bottom?

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Yes and yes an extra blanket! :)

[@fadingmargins]

That woodland looked pretty wet to me. Certainly it brought back memories of blowing on damp paperbark to the fire going. If there is one thing I miss about OZ it is being able to just be out in the bushland.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

I was just back out there today, shooting a new vid on a similar basis to this one! Great to be in the bush again!!!

[@gafanshi]

good man ♡

[@liamnicholls7106]

Make me want to go camping. Just got my swag

[@kurts64]

Gday mate, first vid of this channel I've seen, subbed! Ive just started a little channel of my own ( mostly centered around axe work) and have been hunting around for other Aussie stuff, very glad I found this. Cheers, by the way what is the Billy your using?

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Many thanks Kurt! The Billy is a small campoven!!! Cheers :-)

[@kurts64]

@@richardmusgrave-evans9886 I'll have to check them out. Thanks mate

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

@@kurts64 No worries!!!

[@TravisLeeEddington]

Fantastic video mate, new subscriber here

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Cheers Mate, thanks! 😊

[@cfdmedic78]

I'm glad you didn't catch your beard on fire when you were trying to get those embers going!

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Lol, exactly... can be a problem!!!😊

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

PS. That’s a great beard you’re running!!!

[@riteasrain]

What a great word "tussocker" is, haven't heard that one. Says it all. Someone you might be interested to watch is the artist and bushman Naguelero, in the boreal forest of Sweden.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Yes, he's a great friend of mine!!! :)

[@riteasrain]

@@richardmusgrave-evans9886 Fantastic! It's a small world 😁

[@australianbushcraftwarrior8394]

great video!

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Hey thanks Mate!!!

[@boulengerboulenger1177]

Très très belle vidéo ! Merci Richard😀😀😀. Francis Boulenger

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Hey thanks:)

[@MMM-dq9jj14up]

Well, we can easily know we're in Australia, 'cos yer can hear "The Blowies".

[@sarah3796]

This is great! Do you have any other social media of place we could buy your paintings?

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Thanks, my online Store! Link in description :-)

[@gerdacoonan7250]

Brilliant Richard. Not a spoken word, and background music by "Natural Sounds", enjoyed, cheers.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Thanks BigKev, I'm glad you liked it! Ireally enjoyed putting this silent vid together :)

[@gerdacoonan7250]

@@richardmusgrave-evans9886 A pleasure. Great concept, but I was waiting for you to take some of your damper out of the swag bag to have with your cuppa !! :) :), thanks for posting, cheers.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

@@gerdacoonan7250 Yes, the damper, lol :)

[@teodygaspar]

Wow, painting to adventure

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

G,Day teody, Adventure Bound!!! :)

[@michaelthomas3738]

The swaggie and the good ol' billy tea.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Yes, nothing better!!!

[@roslynburgess-clay1419]

Oooh 😮 expecting a huntsman to be under that bark...shudder!!!!!! 😝😊

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Lol, could happen 😃😊🤠

[@nickybutt9733]

My greatest goal in life is to be a swagman

[@Frigorific12]

Good channel. Great video. Did a lot of work. Seated result. like 92

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Much appreciated ! :)

[@sarah3796]

Where is this filmed its beautiful

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Aussie bush!

[@frankmorris2603]

Good stuff. Just one thing.....why no gators ? Mr Blake be biting.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Lol, yes the Joe Blakes!!!

[@stevefirth8143]

Hi Richard, what size tarp do you use?

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Hi Steve, 10x12 foot off the top of my head, if I remember correctly!

[@stevefirth8143]

RICHARD MUSGRAVE-EVANS Thanks mate.

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

@@stevefirth8143 No worries!

[@liamnicholls7106]

Are you boiling wine?

[@HoboRoadrunner]

can you show us what you had in your swag

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Sure, next time!!!

[@iangardener3464]

silent movie

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Yes!!!

[@ronaldwhite5670]

Not my style in lighting a fire grey beard…..you’re a bush fire risk!!! Too much combustible stuff around ya fire. And ya go away and leave the fire collecting other wood! Other than that, I’ll keep watching. Cheers 🍻

[@jeffpiper7430]

great film but have to say your fire prevention sucked , lighting a fire in the middle of all that leaf litter wasnt something i would do , could have easily found a safer spot

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Middle of winter, took a lot of effort to keep it going!

[@keithhernandez4083]

That's the whitest beard I have ever seen

[@richardmusgrave-evans9886]

Lol!

[@andrewturk6562]

Your fire is to smokey mate you got the wrong wood on it for starters

[@longtodger]

You don’t know anything mate. He doesn’t need a big fire he only needs a few hot Coals to heat up his coffee. You obviously have no imagination, this is exactly how a original swagman would stop for a hour to refuel his body.