The Shark Net
Chapter Summaries
Chapter/Section
Key Event
Committal
A detailed illustration of the
murderer’s committal hearing
is given by Robert. The
murderer is being charged for
the murder of a boy, whom
was a friend of Robert’s.
Character Development
Robert:
 apprentice reporter for The Western Australia,
 attentive
 doesn’t hold himself in the highest esteem
 prefers to feel included as a partaker rather than an observer
 likes to think and day-dream
Of Interest
Robert is somehow
acquainted with the
murderer.
Murderer:
 has the demeanour of a typical crook
 self-assured composed
 willingly open about his crimes
 seems to be proud of his efforts
 possesses obvious disabilities
Blackboys
Robert describes his family’s
relocation from the orderly
setting of Melbourne to the
strange, isolated region of
Perth.
Robert:
 had an imaginary friend named John Gordon
 was in a state of confusion. As he is told to avoid the
blackboys, which are plants, he becomes puzzled and is
soon wary of the natives in the area.
Dorothy (Robert’s mother):
 discontent about moving to Perth
 possesses skilfulness (in tasks such as typewriting)
 has neglected her abilities as of her marriage and
motherhood
Billy (Robert’s younger brother):
Dunlop had quite an
influence on Robert’s
reality as it had the ability
to segregate his father
from his family.

at times mimics Robert’s actions (ie. Laughing at the onelegged man who had fallen)
Royce (Robert’s father):
 obsessive and enthusiastic about Dunlop
 in control and prepared
 determined
People of the
Dunes
Robert provides descriptions
of Perth’s considerably hot
weather, inhabitants and
peculiar as well as different
culture.
Sand People (inhabitants of the area):
 appearance wise, they were generally had tanned, scabbed
skin which was dry, red eyes, raw noses, split bottom lips
and looked nothing like the people of Melbourne
 were regularly bare-legged
 smeared salad on their bodies
Robert:
 desires to be like and envies the inhabitants of Perth, the
Sand Children
 seeks excitement
Dorothy (Robert’s mother):
 protective (wary of her children spending time such a
strange and hot setting)
Royce (Robert’s father):
 wary of the costal conditions and sharks that lurk about
 work-orientated
 does display concern for his children (he would test the
waters before his children went in)
Saturday Night
Boy (I)
Set within the setting of a
dance party, the flashback
provides an insight into the
murderer’s youth. Whilst in
The murderer:
 was keen in his approach towards girls
 possesses an inability to speak clearly
 was sneered and laughed at


Inhabitants relied on
limestone foundations
in order to secure
their houses.
The coastal region of
Perth presents Robert
with prospects for
excitement and risk.
Yellow Sand
the presence of snobbish girls
and sniggering brass
instruments, it is clear that the
murderer was a social outcast.
He was considered strange due
to his disability and his
routine of swimming fully
clothed.


Whilst illustrating the setting
of his new residence, Robert
states that below the surface of
the pale grey sand, yellow
sand was found. As he further
mentions, the yellow sand was
favoured for the local customs
of urinating on moss and
digging tunnels.
Progressively, Robert
expresses the changes
observed in his parents
demeanour and personality,
when in public and in their
home.
Dorothy (Robert’s mother):
 prefers her home to be aesthetically pleasing
 was always agitated and silent about ‘trouble’
 encourages respectable, appropriate behaviour through her
actions
 starts to enforce strict rules to protect her children
self-confident
had been taught skills of firearm handling, motor vehicle
driving and night vision in the army


Nick Howell:
 perceived as the leading exponent of the custom of
urinating on moss
 informed Robert of details of the Adult World

Nick Howell’s Mother:
 knowledgeable of town gossip
 lacks qualities of a conventional mother who sets
restrictions
Royce (Robert’s father):
 was always agitated and silent about ‘trouble’
 was a bomber pilot
 become increasingly focused on his job
Robert:
 conveys his innocence as he does not see the immorality
The Sunset Old Men’s
Home was said to be
used by ‘peculiar
people who get up to
strange things’.
Houses in Perth rested
on weak foundations.
Accordingly, the
houses themselves
were weak and would
easily crack.
The area possessed
infertile soil, water
restrictions and
houses without fences.



Bumpers
As stated by Robert, Bumpers
were clumpy-looking ‘leisure
shoes’ made by Dunlop.
Whilst further portraying
his Dunlop-orientated life,
Robert describes his Bumperfilled Christmases and Dunlop
influenced lifestyle.
associated with the intentional lifting of a girl’s dress
perceives that Nick’s life is far more interesting
love scenes in movies (such as Tarzan) made him curious
enjoys watching movies
Robert:
 polite (respectfully endures countless occasions of
continually receiving the same gift, Bumpers)
 reasonable (although he disliked Bumpers, he didn’t fail to
see that possessing them gave you an advantage, it made
you taller)
 possesses nerve and confidence to be impolite and refuse
(ie. to be painted)
 loving and caring towards his mother
 protective of his mother
 concerned about his father’s reputation



Royce (Robert’s father):
 very confident in the quality of Dunlop products
 discourages the use of other brands, that were competition
 encourages the excessive use of Dunlop products
 inconsiderate of his wife’s feelings
 educated at a high-status institution
 stereotypical (ie. about Australian books)
 lacks affection for his wife as he doesn’t make efforts to
purchase her gifts for her birthday, etc. (instead he
delegates the task to his secretary)
Being one of many
Dunlop-orientated
families, the Drewe’s
lead busy social lives
as they would often
attend business
picnics and barbeques.
Perth lacked social
attractions.
Robert perceived the
famous sportsmen,
who would regularly
come to the Drewe’s
house, as adults who
were unlike other
adults.
Dorothy (Robert’s mother):
 is outwardly accepting
 educated at a lower-status institution
Strangers
Bringing to light the
commonness of strangers
Robert:
 reliable (able to deal with tradesmen himself)

Being a place of
isolation, Perth’s main
abruptly appearing
unexpectedly, Robert
expresses the dangers
associated with living in such
a precarious setting, which
lacked boundaries.




proud that his mother was attractive to men
shocked by the occurrence of the word ‘rape’ being publicly
announced
would search through law books with his friend Stephen to
come across real-life sex crimes
self-conscious

Dorothy (Robert’s mother):
 men found her appealing

Royce (Robert’s father):
 Stern
 may be having an affair
threats were ants and
sparrows, Ceylon
crows and 'conmen'
from the Eastern
States.
In Perth, it was
believed that locking
doors was ridiculous
and showed an
inhospitable,
untrustworthy nature.
Accordingly, the front
door was considered
more secure than the
back door.
The Murderer (Eric):
 makes people feel uneasy
 has a hairlip
 worked for Dunlop as a delivery driver
 delivered things to and took things away from the Drewe’s
house
Prowler
Whilst Robert’s father is on a
business trip, a stalker lurks in
the dark, intently watching
his mother from the bedroom
window.
Robert:
 secretly read his mother’s adult novels (such as From Here
to Eternity)
Royce (Robert’s father):
 frequently on business trips and away from home
Dorothy (Robert’s mother):
 fearful and unbelieving of the occurrence (of being
watched)
 sharp-witted (sherapidly creates a performance to ensure
that the stalker leaves)

Robert perceived that
the family
unanimously agreed
that the house was
calmer without the
presence of his father.
Stalker:
 has a familiar presence
 smirking
 amused
Burning the
Mirror
The Moral Agent
After returning home from
the hospital, Robert sits by the
front garden, watching his
father nervously pacing whilst
waiting for something to
arrive or happen. As soon as
the newsagent arrives,
delivering a copy of the
Mirror (a local sex and scandal
paper), the reasons behind his
father’s unusual behaviour
become clear.
After hurriedly reading the
paper, he drops it in the
burning incinerator, for
publications such as this was
never seen in their house.
Royce (Robert’s father):
 not very fatherly or affectionate towards Robert
 seems to be nervous
 displays impatience
 seems to be waiting for something
 possesses the athletic dexterity
 despite inappropriateness of the Mirror, he decides to read
it in the presence of Robert
While on Rottnest Island, his
fantasy of romance had not
been as he’d expected as the
girls he was about to kiss
(Suzette), unexpectedly
vomited over his shoulder.
After meeting another girl,
Roberta, he is informed of the
Moral Agent, a fictional
character fabricated to
appropriate the activities of
Robert:
 exposed to the sex act for the first time, in the bakery
 in shock as the act was more dramatic than he expected
 maturing and constantly thinking of sex
 eagerly anticipates going to Rottnest Island
 acts more mature, relaxed and confident around Roberta
 his idea of romance is fantasy-based and unrealistic
 becomes confused and takes on the persona of a brave,
courageous person by killing a dangerous shark
Robert:
 aware of his father’s every actions (attentive)
 nosy
Roberts parents:
Rottnest Island was a
place where West
Australian’s lost their
virginity.
In the past, Rottnest
Island held a prison and
had bodies buried beneath
its soil.
teenagers.
In an attempt convey
bravery, he decides to kill a
shark and causes Roberta to
become unimpressed.


would prohibit Robert from going to the island as it carried
a bad name
after being convinced that high standards will be required
of teenagers, they give in and allow Robert to go to Rottnest
Suzette Minchin:
 appearance wise, she was big, olive-skinned and sultry
looking
 first girl Robert was with on the island
 jealous of Roberta
Roberta:
 appearance wise, she was tall, tanned and curvaceous
 was fourteen and lived on the same street as Robert (Circe
Circle)
The Eyes of Billy
Graham
Robert and his mother go the
Showgrounds to hear an
American Christian preacher,
Billy Graham, speak.
At the showgrounds, Robert
confesses to his sexual acts,
which he perceives to be
immoral crimes.
The words of Billy
captivated the audience.
Through his words of wisdom
and urging of people to join
him, many were converted.
Dorothy (Robert’s mother):
 seems to be concerned about Perth’s crime rates
 seeks spiritual, religious englihtenment
 was converted at the crusade

Royce (Robert’s father):
 religion made him touchy and nervous as it uncovered old
wounds
 came from a Baptist family

Robert’s grandad (William):
 was a church architect
 would remain secluded in his room for a substantial amount
of time (supposedly due to his wife, Robert’s grandmother)
 attributes; dignified, polite, thin, introverted, remote,
abstemious and frugal

Robert’s grandma (Daisy Mae Wells):

Marriages within
Robert’s family were
known to be a clash of
religions and
personalities.
The family had a
history of possessing
the capacity to
suppress their
conflicts.
Religion was not
functionally present
within the Drewe
household as it was a
complicated topic.
Billy Graham was
viewed more as a
celebrity than a


worked behind a millenary counter at Myer’s department
store
attributes; bossy, extroverted, shallow and snobbish
evangelist
Robert’s grandmother (Mary):
 was Catholic
 was forbidden by her Church to attend Robert’s mother’s
wedding
 was married to an Anglican bank manager
Robert:
 not interested in religious insight
 more intrigued by the fascination of celebrities, the
entertainment world and of Americans
 feel guilty for his sexual actions
The Bridge
Robert’s drunken father is
accompanied home by the
police as the construction of
the new Narrows Bride had
caused him to become lost.
The Eureka Youth League
of Australia had invited
Robert to join the association.
As a result of his father’s
disproval, Robert’s prospect of
being a part of ending
injustices and so forth was
hindered.
Royce (Robert’s father):
 has been drinking at the saloon bar of the Esplanade Hotel
 ego-centric, concerned with his own reputation
Simon:
 was in the same class, at school, as Robert
 swam and surfed with Robert
 owned the hatchet that killed Jillian
Robert:
 actively participated in sporting events and extra-circular
activities as well as clubs
 seems to have displayed attributes of a leader
 wanted to be a friend to all
 seeks to put an end to injustices such as hanging, unfairness
etc.
 obtained his driver’s licence
 knocked over Simon’s letterbox




the police had been
patrolling the
neighbourhood where
Patricia Berkman had
been killed
Corruption is evident
as the police
accompany Royce
home and have a few
drinks with him
Royce’s chat with the
police reveals that
Eric has been sacked
from Dunlop
that Christmas,
another victim, Jillian
Brewer, had been
murdered
On the Beach
Royce takes, a now older,
Robert to see On the Beach
with him.

in the area,
destruction of
property was
considered to be a
major issue

When Dorothy first
moved into the house,
she’d always wanted
big windows. Her
desire has now turned
against her as it is the
size of the windows
that allows the
prowler to see her.
Dorothy realises that
the prowler knows
that Royce isn’t at
home
Robert:
 is seventeen
 is at a stage where he does not anticipate embarrassment,
between himself and his father, over a love scene
 has matured and grown older
Royce (Robert’s father):
 is reserved when it comes to talking to Robert
 doesn’t express any amusement
 not very emotive
Windows
Robert initially describes his
relationship with a girl named
Ruth Parnham, whom he met
on Rottnest Island. The pair
endeavour to pursue their
affection with smuggled loveletters and snatched telephone
calls, as they are unable to
physically see each other.
Whilst Robert is out at a
party, Dorothy await as she
cannot sleep until he is home.
Meanwhile, the prowler is
back. This time he wears a
mask, is pressed up against the
window and seems to be ready
to take action.
Robert:
 seems to have fit in well with the crowd
 still participates in athletic competitions
 feels guilty for not coming home early enough
Ruth:
 attended a Catholic boarding school, Santa Maria College
 is unable to visit Robert due to the strict rules at her school
Dorothy:
 concerned about Robert
 is left shaken after the second encounter with the prowler
Prowler:
 wore a mask
 wore female gloves

The Real World
As his family is holidaying in
Albany, Robert is staying at
Simon Watson’s house seeing
that the West Australian was
set to employ him as a cadet
reporter. Facing the reality
and difficulties associated with
being a cadet reporter, Robert
remains persistent.
Mrs Watson (Simon’s mother):
 Hospitable
 Considerate
Robert:
 seeks to fit in and conform to his peers (ie. Loosening of his
collar)
 manifests his earlier deprivation of knowledge about sex by
uncontrollably continuing to enquire about sexual crime
and cases
 initially he was assigned to minor tasks such as assisting
senior police, court, industrial and political reporters as well
as collecting and typing up information about weather
details at Western Australia
 excited by old murder cases
 personal contact with Ruth had heightened his affection
and adoration of her


Jillian Brewer’s killer,
nineteen year old
Darryl Beamish, was
convicted and
sentenced to death.
Perth holds the
Commonwealth
Games and was
dubbed the City of
Light
Roberta:
 also seeked to become a journalist
 studied in America for a year
 willing to help Robert out
Saturday Night
Boy (II)
Whilst peering down into the
Swan River from the crown of
the bridge, Eric recalls
memories of him swimming
fully clothed as he calms
himself down.
He then throws a rifle into
the river below.
Eric:
 as his mother mentions, the drinking, violence and chaos
are hereditary traits. It can be assumed that Eric had
inherited these traits.
 father symbolised pain and trauma within his childhood.
His father would say things like ‘Talk properly, Uglymouth!’
 was a Saturday night boy
 had female gloves on
 felt in control, in command after commiting crimes of arson
and theft
Eric recalls where he’d
thrown the knife in the
river after killing
Berkman.

The Full Moon
Cliché
John Sturkey, whom attended
the same school as Robert, as
well as two others had been
randomly murdered with a
rifle.
Within this period, the
occurrence of young women
being murdered had
resurfaced.
The news of Ruth’s
pregnancy directs Robert and
Ruth to getting married.
memorised details such as light stanchion numbers in order
to take pride in his memory of his efforts
The murderer:
 lurked about at night
 randomly killed innocent people


Robert:
 curious of and compelled by the murders
 concerned for the safety of Ruth
 has never defied his mother before
 his continual argument with his mother is considered to be
their first ever conversation about life or sex
 recalls how he was never fully informed about certain
important facts of life
Ruth:
 lived with her younger sister
 was pregnant
 was a year older than Robert
 gave birth to a boy
Dorothy:
 discontent and unpleased about the pregnancy
 believes that both Ruth and Robert have wrecked the
family and have destroyed their own lives
 abandons her usual disciplined approach whilst dealing
with the situation
 adopts a less reasonable, more aggressive approach
 starts playing tennis again, for the first time since she had
given birth
 died due to boiling brain
Royce:
 is fiercely embarrassed when told of the pregnancy


the incidents occurred
during Saturday night
– Sunday morning
It was believed that
the shootings
occurred during a full
moon
The occurrence of the
murders had altered
the general feeling of
the place as well as
the realities of the
inhabitants
Ocean Beach Hotel
seemed to be an
important link in the
investigation as the
victims were either
customers or were
employed there
Chaos
Saturday Night
Boy (III)
Phenobarbitone

In a time of disarray, Robert
reminisces of his mother; her
remarkable swimming ability
and of her essence.
Shortly afterwards, on a
Saturday night, Shirley
McLeod was murdered.
Robert:
 displays great affection and sorrow towards his mother and
her death
 seeked sentimental memories to help him grief and
overcome his mother’s death
The brief passage depicts Eric’s
use of informative
publications and of the
locations where as well as
people that he would rob.
Eric:
 researches and plans before carrying out his crimes of theft,
etc.
 carried gloves, a handkerchief and a pencil torch
 opened unlocked door
 would steal panties and money in Peppermint Grover,
Claremont and in Nedlands.

The murderer, Eric, had
finally been caught by Bill
Hawker and was being
committed for trial for the
murder of John Sturkey.
Meanwhile, Robert
attends a counselling
appointment to discuss his
mother’s death.
Eric:
 on authority’s side, co-operative
 did not display guilt or remorse
 looked much like a stereotypical serial killer


Royce:
 holds his composure
 does not seem to be saddened
 shows fatherly consideration towards his children as he
decides to stay in Circe Circle for the time being
 drinks heavily


Robert:
 is blamed for and feels responsible for the death of his
mother
Royce:
 loves Jan dearly (more than anything else)
 displays more affection for Jan
Only Royce’s business
associates attended
Dorothy’s funeral
A nineteen year old
male, John Button,
had been convicted of
murdering Rosemary
Anderson
the lights in the area
went off at one a.m.
the lack of security in
Perth made crimes
easier to commit
Robert’s mother was
treated for depression,
anxiety attacks and
insomnia
Convicted murderers
were hanged in Perth
News Shark
If Robert was not out at sea,
with his wife or with his
young child, he would be
submerged in work, intent on
capturing an intriguing story.
Robert:
 determined to break news; to be the news
 seeks to discover a big, coastal shark-orientated story
 desires to be a hero
 affectionate father and husband
 believes he has written a compelling story until he finds out
that his article has been dismissed
 persistent
Robert explains how nets
ensured security, as it
trapped sharks, kept
intruders out.
Royce:
 allows himself to become lost in his work after the death of
Dorothy
 decides to take more risk within his business dealings
Cheering Up
Royce’s hard work has lead
the factory to its progressive
success.
Royce:
 seems to be quite chatty
 displays interest for a woman named Mrs Gwen Halliday
 is made Dunlop manager for New South Wales
 moves to the east with Jan
Trial
Eric is being trialled for the
murder of John Sturkley as
well as the other victims.
Through out the hearing, he
attempts to make a plea for
insanity by trying to fabricate
the fact that he believed he
was God. Eric is finally
sentenced to death
Eric:
 is clean shaven and grey-suited
 altered demeanour, did not look like a serial killer anymore
 mocked by other children when he was young
 was savagely beaten by his father
 had many accidents and head injuries as a child
 father of seven
 took the death sentence with enthusiasm
The Boy the
Colour of Sand
Whilst Eric is on death row,
his mentally retarded boy had
Eric:
 not afraid to display emotions of grief
The greatest fear Robert,
Billy and Jan had in their
childhood, was moving
back to the East, away
from their casual coastal
lifestyle.

Eric confesses to two
murders of which two
The Murderer’s
Widow Recalls
the Execution
The View from
the Esplanade
Hotel
drowned in a river. When told
of this, Eric broke down and
cried all night.

Sally provides considerable
insight on how it was like
living with Eric. Describing
what a liar, cheat and stealer
he was, she never suspected
that he had been the notorious
murderer.
Sally (Eric’s Widow):
 light spirited and generous
 was not affectionately attached to Eric
 was English
Robert has been offered a job
at The Age newspaper in
Melbourne. Accepting the
offer, he decides to relocate
back to the east.
Robert:
 prioritised his young family, Ruth and his son, James
 the prospect of being recruited at The Age gave him more
confidence
 felt he would be homesick for Perth

becomes philosophical, optimistic and regretful after
reading the Bible as of his son’s death
possesses fatherly attributes

men had been
wrongly convicted of.
Eric’s son, who had
died, had skin which
resembled the sand. In
the sand, he would
blend in, as if he were
nearly invisible.
Eric:
 was never home
 was never a husband
 possessive
 was a very good liar
 Half Scottish/Australian
 Never drank, smoked
 Loved sport
 Would cheat on Sally
 always got into trouble at school


Roberta had been
decapitated.
Robert’s father
decides to remarry.