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It is 9 May, 1927 and celebrations to mark the opening of Parliament House are underway in the small town of Canberra. But, for Billy, an orphaned farmhand on a nearby property, it is just another day of hard work and loneliness. His only friend is the work dog, Dusty.
Billy's plans change, however, when he learns that Dusty is to be shot and replaced by a younger dog. Billy sets off for the celebrations in the hope of finding a new owner for Dusty.
Billy never reaches Parliament House. On his way he befriends a chauffeur, Mr Thompson, and his young passenger, Myrtle. Their car has broken down on the way to the opening ceremony and they are stranded on the side of the road. Billy finds a home for Dusty, and the three share their stories: Myrtle tells of her desire to be Australia's first female Prime Minister; Mr Thompson talks about his wife who 'vanished' during the war; and Billy explains that his father went missing in action before his mother died.
Despite Mr Thompson's belief that 'things like this don't happen', Myrtle makes a connection between the stories and realises that Billy is Mr Thompson's son.
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