Australian Farming Families

by Deb Hunt

'This is a book about the human aspects of life on the land - the stories of success and failure, life and love, of hardship and celebration - and the passion and gritty determination that characterised every family I interviewed.'Author Deb Hunt sets out to discover what makes what makes Australian farming families tick. She travels tens of thousands of kilometres to properties at either end of the country, from a vast, dusty cattle run in outback Queensland to the wheat belt of Western Australia and dairy and sheep farms in Tasmania. She introduces us to eight families who survive, even thrive, on the land despite fires, floods, personal hardship and uncertain economic times.We see a different sort of family life, where the kids are expected to pitch in, the classroom is often the kitchen table, the nearest maternity hospital is a five-hour drive, and generations live and work side by side. We meet the French family, whose connection to the bush goes back seven generations, Philip the Philosopher, who by 29 was managing a property of more than one million hectares carrying 20,000 head of cattle, and the outspoken Roma Brittnell, who was awarded Australian Rural Woman of the Year in 2009.Inspiring, moving and sometimes challenging, these stories provide a window into a way of life that defines the Australian spirit at its best.

Genres: Nonfiction

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

Deb Hunt was born in England, where she worked as a librarian, event manager, PR executive, actress and journalist. She has worked with Shakespeare in the Park in London, Australian House & Garden magazine in Sydney and for five years as a writer with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. She has lived in France, Spain, Saudi Arabia, London, Broken Hill and a small village in Gloucestershire. In 2013 she self-published her first book, Dream Wheeler, which led to a commission from Pan Macmillan for two more books. Love in the Outback will be published by Pan Macmillan on 22 April 2014, to be followed by a book on farming families slated to be released at the end of 2014.

Reviews

[Mirjam Bos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gekocht in Melbourne na de reis met Lukas langs de zuidoostkust van Australië omdat ik toch nog benieuwd was naar meer van dit prachtige land en de mensen die er wonen. Was lekker om te lezen, maar meer niet. Gewoon paar leuke verhalen, niet super bijzonder

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book portraits generations of strong women and men that worked hard to keep their farms alive. You learn something through all of them. They inspire you to work hard to reach your goals. Because anything is possible if you just set your mind into it.
A very captivating book!

[Jill Harland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very inspirational read, thoroughly enjoyed each story.