# Bogan Bill — While the Billy Boils character guide

> Bogan Bill in While the Billy Boils by Henry Lawson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bill, old Bill, Billy Nowlett, the Billy, Bogan

**First appearance:** 0001-while-the-billy-boils

## Snapshot

A rough, hard-drinking bullock-driver whose mistaken identity and cheerful resilience make him the bush's answer to the unkillable folk hero.

## Who they are

Billy Nowlett is the bullocky who has been 'killed before' and takes the news of his own death with a shrug, more surprised about the five quid than the obituary. A shanty-keeper up Coonamble way could never tell him apart from another bullock-driver, landing Billy with bills for grog he never drank and inspiring a wish that one of them were dead. His cheerful endurance of confusion and misfortune embodies the bush's fatalistic humour and its acceptance of life's absurdities.

## In the story

### [Stiffner and Jim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/stiffner-and-jim)

Bill is the narrator's mate, a quiet young man from Sydney who claims to be a spieler but ends up losing most of their money; he later reveals he saved nine shillings and sixpence.

### [The Union Buries Its Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/the-union-buries-its-dead)

Referenced as 'a bearded bush ruffian named Bill' who fails to turn up to the funeral.

### [He’d Come Back](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/he-d-come-back)

A listener who nods approvingly and asks questions about the story.

### [A Visit of Condolence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/a-visit-of-condolence)

Rough but sympathetic young visitor, offers condolences and practical help.

### [Jones's Alley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/jones-s-alley)

A newsboy who shares his own hard life story and advises Mrs. Aspinall on her troubles.

### [Brummy Usen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/chapters/brummy-usen)

Mentioned as Billy Nowlett, a bullock-driver reported dead who later turns up alive.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/characters/bogan_bill
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/while_the_billy_boils_se/characters