Toots

by Donna Vawdrey

Toots Holzheimer, a hard working mother of eight, drove trucks for a living from the 1960’s to 1990’s across some of Australia’s most inhospitable terrain, Cape York Peninsula. Toots delivered freight to the northern tip of Australia for over thirty years, servicing her own trucks, loading them by hand (without a forklift until the late 1980s) and then driving for days alone. Toots and her husband Ron constructed their own roads and built their own bridges, renewing them after each wet season. Without bitumen roads, Toots battled corrugation, melon holes, washouts and bull-dust. Flies and mosquitoes were her constant companions as she dug her way out of bogs or coaxed her ‘Old Girl’, a MAN diesel truck, up and down the steep slopes of the Great Dividing Range. Nothing raised Toots’ ire more quickly than someone telling her what she could or couldn’t do. Attitude was what mattered to Toots, not gender. Toots attributed her success in life to her determination to ‘do what you want to do and do it well’.Donna, the fourth eldest child to Toots Holzheimer was born and educated in Cairns. Mother of two beautiful children, Steven and Rebecca, Donna now lives in Innisfail, North Queensland with her husband Lynton

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2011

Reviews

[Darren Trapski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of an amazing woman who would probably put a lot of men to shame with her work ethic!
There is something in this book for everyone family struggles good times humour adventure and the sad times.
I thoroughly enjoyed it 👍

[Rae Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally loved reading about Toots. I see some of myself in the lady she was. I had laughter and tears while reading this fantastic book. I highly recommend reading it to anyone. The younger generation could learn so much from this inspiring ladies life story. Toots you are more than a legend in my eyes. I am honoured to have read this remarkable story wish I had found it sooner. About to buy it now

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you travel to Cape York in this day and age, you will be come aware of, and enthralled by the story of the amazing Toots. This detailed tribute written by one of Toots’ 10 children paints a vivid picture, not only of the nature and strength of this literally trailblazing woman, but also of the development of the possibly the most rugged, remote and beautiful parts of Australia.

[Mal · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I totally believe that this lady was amazing, but as someone else has commented, the story itself is rather flat and it's hard to keep up with all the characters.

Had Toots been able to write it from her own hand I'm sure it would be great.

But I'm happy that others give it top rating, as she deserved it! 👍

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart warming read about one of the pioneer women of Australia

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having travelled to the Tip last year, I can imagine how tough it would have been for “Toots”. An amazing story about a hardworking and determined woman, I enjoyed reading her story!

[Nikki Balzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of a fascinating life. The anecdotal writing style didn't really draw me in until the 2nd half of the book.

[Pam Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

The woman herself is amazing, and the stories almost beyond belief (I’m sure they’re true, having read lots of Australian bush history), but the writing is flat and boring and the tone is factual. Sometimes I would get lost in the who’s who of the stories, making the timeline hard to follow. Still worth picking up and reading about this great woman though.

[Lizzie Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildly inspiring story. A humbling read for any 4WD enthusiast who thinks they're a top dog after completely the Telegraph Track once.