Not Just the Wife of the General Manager: Life in the Outback and a Whole Lot More

by Sally Warriner

Not Just the Wife of the General Manager is a rollicking memoir of one woman’s life on outback cattle stations, and an homage to the many unsung women like her. 
 
It was the 1980s and Sally was in her mid 20s when she returned from a backpacking sojourn and hitchhiked to Australia’s far north. But instead of moving back to Canberra as planned, she stayed. After marrying a cattle station manager, Sally lived and worked with him on various stations until she was 50, ingraining herself into the lives of the characters who inhabited these isolated places.

With wit and sass, Sally tells the story of how she was so much more than just a wife of a station manager (despite what some of the top end blokes thought). Among other things, she was a nurse (dealing with local accidents, assisting the Flying Doctor service and making emergency 400 km round trips through the outback with sick children), a mother (bringing up several children, not all her own), a travel agent, a social secretary, a host and an organiser (including of Kerry Packer’s New Year’s Eve parties).
 
This is a story about adventure, resilience, the unexpected journeys we need to go on to find ourselves, and having the courage to do something for yourself. In Sally's  'Life’s like that, fellas. You may spend a lifetime trying to find yourself but, at the end of the day, you've been there all along.'

Genres: Biography

Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2022

Reviews

[Dee-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the prologue of the book includes a description of someone as 'anal retentive', you know that it is going to be an interesting read .... and I was not disappointed. Funny, shocking, frank ... loved it. The author signed this book when I bought it and it was the only time that I had met her. It is weird to think that having only spent 5 minutes with this person and 5 days reading her book, I feel as though I know more about her than many people I have known for decades/a lifetime.

[Annie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read this year. True Rural Northern Territory Life. Sally slaps you in the face from page one with her Honesty and never backs down from the truth. What a life. I would like to give 10 stars.

[Chez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a Great life full of Great adventures of a Great woman with a Great future. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[John Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story well told

Really enjoyed reading about life on a large cattle property and the exciting situations she experienced. Found the whole story to be real and very well written. Definitely worth reading.

[Frances Bullock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading about life on a large cattle property and the exciting situations she experienced. Found the whole story to be real and very well written. Definitely worth reading.

[Bronte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! Loved every chapter, such a great insight and Sally was definitely not Just the WoGM!!

[Edie Millar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting memoir of a woman who married into the cattle ranching lifestyle of the Australian Outback in the 1970's & 1980's- an update on The Thorn Birds. Life is still challenging for a woman, despite the addition of airplanes, helicopters and roads, and access to hospitals. Not that well written, but frank, funny and heartfelt- a real life full of joy, pain and guilt. The portrait of a marriage, motherhood, and her roles working on the cattle stations (as nurse, hostess/entertainer/manager, mother, wife, etc.). Intriguing to compare her feelings and interactions with the Aboriginal people (many, but not deep) with characters in The Thorn Birds (hardly mentioned).

[Sheila Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

The entertaining story of a young girl (hitch hiker) who married the station manager of a cattle ranch in the Australian outback and stayed at the Top End for nearly 25 years. A trained nurse, she recounts her experiences treating all manner of accidents and emergencies in remote conditions. Raising five boys and organising accommodation, food, drink and entertainment for not just everyone on the ranch but for visits from its owner, Kerry Packer, and all his guests. I look forward to hearing about her experiences with MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières) around the world.

[Karen Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d be less than honest if I didn’t say that my expectations weren’t quite met when I read Sally’s book. I love a good biography and she certainly gives a good account of her life before, during and after her time as many things including being the station managers wife. I heard Sally interviewed on ABC Conversations and thoroughly enjoyed the interview and maybe I expected the book to take me to another level?

[Dorothy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, entertaining and so demonstrative of the misogynistic attitudes that used to be in rural Australia but the the unmistakable glue that women were/are. Inspirational and such a great story as we have progressive to admire and see female leaders in modern day agricultural endeavor. Loved this. Loved Sally.

[Ita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished Sally's book a week ago and this evening I had the privilege to interview her at Tamworth Library. What a fabulous life story so far and such an enthusiastic speaker, I could have talked to Sally for hours! Best part of my job, if you want to hear the interview, the podcast should be added next week, I'll put the link here once it's posted!

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. A true and detailed account of life in the outback of northern Australia on a number of large cattle stations. Interesting. The author is the “wife” and this probably amounts to a kind of family chronicle for posterity! A few too many details sometimes but well written and enjoyable.

[Peter Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

not just the wife

Most certainly not just the wife
This author is so much more than a wife and mother she makes the average woman feel inadequate even unfortunate
A story that needed to be told and needs a wide reading audience
Start reading now…..

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who knew of Sally Warriner and her life style from the rumour mill I admire her honesty and frankness in this tell it like it was book. I also inspired by her resilience to start again after her divorce and do good in this world as well as write a warts and all autobiography

[Chloe Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally is an extraordinary storyteller. She instantly transported me to the Australian bush and cured my homesickness for Australia with her imagery and witty dialogue. What an incredible life she has led.
An absolute must read!!

[Trevor]

Divibe

[Michelle Kenner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish this book. Did not like it at all.

[Tracy Abramovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read.

A heartfelt description of life on the land as told by the lady of the manor. So often forgotten as to what goes on in the background.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars .. absolutely loved it!

[Lyn Quilty · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and honest life story. Gave a good insight into the life on remote stations and the toughness needed to survive.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost me in the middle with all the Kerry Packer stuff. I enjoyed Sally’s story and how sad is the broken relationship with her son.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read about life on various cattle stations in the NT.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to learn the journey of Sally.