When most people think of the outback the images that usually come to mind involve dust, heat, isolation and rugged stockmen carving out a life in one of the most unforgiving environments on earth. But the truth is that women do now and always have played an enormous role in outback life. As well as the more traditional roles of nurse, teacher, governess or shopkeeper - outback women have always been able to turn their hands to almost everything that men do.
For those of us who live in the city or even larger regional areas it is difficult to fathom the hardship outback life can bring. For a women, it is even more difficult as they still have to battle long-held sexist stereotypes as well as deal with the demands of raising children. Yet dotted in these tiny towns are inspirational women who refuse to be beaten by the hardships outback life can bring.
Outback Heroines celebrates the lives of just a handful of these remarkable women. From the vastness of the Western Australian desert, Northern Territory and Queensland they all possess unbelievable grit and determination and refuse to be defined or beaten by hardships. It is a humbling and inspirational book that makes you realise your own life is very tame in comparison.
No comments:
Post a Comment