Modest Everyman. "Nugget Coombs:A Reforming Life" by Tim Rowse. [review]

Abstract

In Rowse's view, Nugget Coombs, with his breadth of concerns, his finely tuned ecological, cultural and economic antennae, and his technical competence, is the fit, in fact a better, prophet for any viable new Australian settlement. It is a provocative claim but, if taken up and argued with proper seriousness, then Tim Rowse's account of this extraordinary Australian will have done its proper work. Nugget Coombs- public thinker, public servant, economist, social reformer, Governor of the Reserve Bank, Aboriginal advocate, cultural initiator and great Australian- modesty was the genuine article.