Arriving in Port Phillip in 1849 from Bristol, life in the Port Phillip colony did not always progress as Edward had hoped.

A Suitable Immigrant tells of Edward Carter Holmes striving to establish a new life for his family in colonial Victoria, his pursuit of land and economic stability. The book traces the family’s extraordinary achievements, tragedies and financial woes across Western Victoria, the Ballarat goldfields and South Gippsland.

Would Edward finally reap pleasure from his endeavours when he departed Melbourne on board the steamer the Ly-ee-Moon in May 1886?