Trip as a swagman

Timaru man William Bisset who has begun his Southern Swaggie project from  Kaitangata.  Photo by...
Timaru man William Bisset who has begun his Southern Swaggie project from Kaitangata. Photo by Helena de Reus.
A Timaru man has sold his home, and a large chunk of his earthly possessions, to film his journey as a swagman travelling from Kaitangata to Bluff.

William Bisset, who is in his late 30s, will be pulling a trolley for the journey via the Southern Scenic Route.

He said he would live and work with locals by offering to do jobs in exchange for food and shelter, just the same as an ''olden-day penniless swagman''.

The term ''swagman'' describes men who travel by foot from farm to farm, carrying the traditional swag or bedroll.

It would be a far cry from his previous corporate roles and television work, he said.

Mr Bisset told the Otago Daily Times the past two years had been difficult, so he decided to sell off many of his assets to fund the journey.

''I think everyone dreams of a chance to escape, to get away from the hustle and bustle of life.''

His great-grandfather - also named William Bisset - emigrated to New Zealand from Scotland and for three generations the Bissets had owned farms in Kaitangata, making it an appropriate place to begin his journey, he said.

Mr Bisset's films will explore the ''majestic'' landscapes, the local people, tourism, business and his own challenges on the way. He will work with local museums to video historical programmes.

The trip will also have its challenges. In 2001 he was wheelchair-bound for several months and reliant on crutches for more than eight years after a severe bout of food poisoning crippled him.

The condition sometimes still affected him now, he said.

-helena.dereus@odt.co.nz

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