Alexander Vindex Vennard (11 July 1884–16 February 1947), or 'Bowie', was an Australian writer known by several pen names, principally Bill Bowyang.

[5] With the advent of World War I, Vennard enlisted in August 1914 at Coonamble, as Frank Reid, and served in the infantry in the Gallipoli campaign before transferring to the Imperial Camel Corps in Egypt.

While recuperating from wounds in the Camel Corps campaigns,[6] writing as Frank Reid,[7] he agreed to edit an Australian Imperial Forces paper leading to the creation of The Kia-Ora Coo-ee regimental newspaper.

)[9] Returning to Australia, he contributed short stories and general literary work for two years to Smith's Weekly, before going home to North Queensland.

A strong promoter of the town of Bowen and living at Sari Bair residence, Don Street, Vennard became seriously ill in his final months before passing away in February 1947.