Outback
These outback women’s achievements are extraordinary; their stories rarely told. Outback Heroines features women like German migrant Frauke Bolten-Boshammer, who drew on enormous inner strength to survive the suicides of her husband and youngest son as well as the failure of the family’s isolated property. She went on to build a diamond merchant empire from its ashes and find a second chance at love.
Meanwhile, Heather Jones raised and educated two daughters in the cab of her truck while building a trailblazing transport company, achieving outstanding success in a male-dominated field and starting all over again when the GFC hit hard.
Then there’s Janelle Pugh who wrangles crocodiles and runs the remote yet enormously successful croc farm, Coolibah, while Australia’s 1972 Miss World winner Belinda Green credits the Outback with saving her life as she repays it by rescuing its injured wildlife – in stark contrast to her former high society existence.
Other characters include Marie Muldoon from the legendary Underwood Outback cattle property empire, Sister Theresa Morellini who works in Warmun, WA, and refuses to give in even after a terrible flood almost wiped it off the map, and Sarah Cook, breaking records everywhere with her husband, who was terribly injured in a helicopter crash in one of the most remote spots in the world.
For all Australians, the Outback is a very special place. But the courage of some of the women who live there, is simply breathtaking.
Outback Heroines: True Stories of Hardship, Heartbreak and Resilience was published by Penguin in September 2013
Reviews
“From horse whispering to crocodile hunting to single-handedly changing an 80-kilo flat tyre on a road train in 40-degree heat…there is nothing these modern-day outback women can’t do. But when it comes to hardship and heartbreak, they’ve endured far more than their fair share. Living and working in some of the most remote spots in the world, they’ve had to become experts at turning tragedy into triumph. This book is a tribute to the great Australian Outback from those who live and work at the heart of it.”
Frauke Bolten-Boshammer
“Such a fantastic and inspirational read! Every woman in this book has an extraordinary story to tell. There are stories of hardship, heartbreak,back-breaking work and sheer determination. Each and every one of these ladies is an inspiration! I loved this book.”
Meagan
Goodreads
“Outback Heroines tells some of the best yarns: some touching, some triumphant, but all compelling and tremendously inspiring. Tragedy, tears, triumph and laughter… Australia’s women of the land have seen, battled and overcome it all.”
Penrith City Library
“Outback Heroines is a beautiful book with true stories from the outback. I’m reading it in preparation for my upcoming show, hoping to capture some of the qualities which make these women so resilient and see them reflected in the women in our show.”
Catherine Crowley
Australian Arts Review
