Treasure Hunters
Allan Baillie
Notes written by Catherine McCredie
Summary
Pat joins his father and his father’s friend in their search for a shipwreck off the coast
of an Indonesian island. This island is a territory in turmoil, with freedom fighters
actively seeking independence from Indonesia and the Indonesian military using
extreme methods to quell uprisings.
In searching for the lost Flor do Mar – a sixteenth-century Portuguese ship, ‘the
richest shipwreck in the world’, which was once loaded with treasures from Malacca
(near Indonesia) – Pat and the others start piecing together the old history that led to
the ship being wrecked. But they also become reluctantly and fatefully embroiled in
modern-day Indonesian politics.
Themes
Treasure Hunting and Shipwrecks
• Do many people search for lost shipwrecks?
• What kind of people are they?
• What attracts them? Would you do this?
• Who owns the treasure once it’s been found?
• How many valuable, undiscovered shipwrecks are there? Where are they? What
are some of the most famous shipwrecks? This may be research that can be done on
the Internet.
Social Responsibility
• What are our responsibilities towards others? Do you have more responsibility for
someone you know, or someone who asks you for help, than for a stranger?
• When you’re in a foreign country, are there some things you should just ignore, or
put up with? Are some things always worth fighting for? If so, what?
• How important is it to understand the politics of the country you are living in or
visiting? What is the relevance of politics to your day-to-day life?
Indonesian Politics
Allan Baillie’s most pioneering work as a writer has been to place his characters in
the centre of some of the world’s most troubled spots (with a particular focus on
Asia), thereby offering his readers invaluable insights. For this, he has drawn on his
background as a journalist, and his own far-reaching experience. For instance, it was
through witnessing the events leading up to and occurring in Tiananmen Square at
the time of the massacre that led Allan to write The China Coin.
What are some recent events that might have inspired Allan Baillie to write Treasure
Hunters? How plausible are the actions of ‘The General’ in Treasure Hunters?
• What were the effects of colonisation on Indonesia?
• What other trouble spots has Allan Baillie explored? Where could he choose next
to write about? (In fact, Allan is currently writing a novel set in present-day Egypt.
Can you imagine some elements he might use in the plot? Perhaps you could draw
up a plot outline for this novel.)
History of the Spice Islands
• What was Malacca like in the early 16th Century? What was the purpose of the
Flor de Mar’s fateful trip? Again, this type of research can be done on the Internet.
Writing style and language
How has Allan Baillie’s background as a journalist affected his writing? Do you know
other writers who were once journalists? Are there similarities between these writers
and Allan Baillie? Do you think this is a good background for a writer? Could there be
disadvantages? Why do you think Allan Baillie chose to write novels for young
people, instead of remaining a journalist? Are there particular journalists whose
writing you enjoy?
• Find newspaper or magazine articles that lead to discussion and debate – try
writing your own novel outline based around some of the real-life things you find in
the media.
Can you imagine being on a little boat off an Indonesian island with your slapdash
father? Can you imagine being a Portuguese sailor in the 16th Century? How has
Allan Baillie gone about building a picture in the reader’s mind?
• Use these questions as a springboard for your own personal or descriptive
writing.
• The historical story is written in the present tense, and the modern story is written
in the past tense. What do you think this achieves? Is it an effective technique?
Look at the structure of Treasure Hunters. Is it chronological? How does this effect
your reading of the book?
Activities
• Look at the cover of the book. What does it tell you about the story? What does it
suggest about the main character? What sense of the narrative is presented?
• How will Pat tell his story to Beth? To Robbie?
• Research the Flor de Mar. Are there treasure hunters looking for it now? Do you
think it will be discovered one day? What treasures was it carrying?
• Research Indonesian politics. What is causing the current instability in Indonesia?
Pick an Indonesian territory that is threatening to break away from the rest of
Indonesia. What measures does the Indonesian government take to quell uprisings?
What is the Australian government’s stance? Do you agree with the Australian
government’s position? What are some of the issues that the Australian government
considers when it forms a stance? Who helps the government to form an opinion?
Who decides, in the end?
• Research the history of East Timor. How and when did East Timor achieve
independence? Regarding East Timor, what was the Australian government’s stance
over the years? How and why did this stance change? Do you think it’s likely that
other Indonesian territories will also achieve independence? What about Australia?
Are there parts of Australia that would prefer to form an independent government?
How do you think governments should respond to demands for independence?
• Write your own treasure hunt – think about what your character will learn and
how they will change by the end of their adventure.
• Read one of Allan Baillie’s other political thrillers. What similar themes, if any, are
explored in Allan’s other books?
About the Author
Since the publication of his first book for children, Adrift, in 1983, Allan Baillie has
become one of Australia’s most important writers for children. His novels, which
include Little Brother (1986), The China Coin (1992) and Saving Abbie (2000), have
won him acclaim, awards and international recognition. He is also the author of
several highly successful picture books, including Drac and the Gremlin (1989).
Allan Baillie’s novels have found success in Japan, Sweden, Holland, Germany,
France, Spain, England, the United States, New Zealand and South Africa.
Allan is a versatile author who has written fantasy novels and novellas (The
Magician, Megan’s Star, Foggy), a mystery (Secrets of Walden Rising) and a
historical novel set in pre-colonial Australia (Songman). He has also written
collections of short stories.

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