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  • Published: 1 August 2011
  • ISBN: 9780143205340
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $27.99

Outback Spirit



In the great Outback traditions of mateship, resilience and generosity come these stories of ordinary people who, against seemingly insurmountable odds, help out those who inhabit Australia's vast untamed frontiers.

Five kids orphaned by a terrible accident . . .
A struggling family living in the most isolated spot on earth . . .
A single dad battling to cope in a house falling down around his ears . . .
A desperately ill woman in the middle of nowhere . . .

In the great Outback traditions of mateship, resilience and generosity come these stories of ordinary people who, against seemingly insurmountable odds, help out those who inhabit Australia's vast untamed frontiers. No task is too great and no sacrifice too much for these modern-day heroes.

Cheryl flies sick patients from rural areas to emergency medical treatment in cities; Sue is often the only one between life and death for her patients in the Kimberley; Ricky trades city comforts to connect with kids through sport in the dust of the desert and Eileen overcomes great challenges to protect remote land for generations to come. These are some of the men and women who embody the spirit of the Outback.

Inspiring, stirring and touching by turn, these people draw on enormous personal reserves to maintain the values of the Outback for the future of all Australians.

'A taste of the great things happening in the outback. Williams has found some real gems.' Weekly Times

  • Published: 1 August 2011
  • ISBN: 9780143205340
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $27.99

About the author

Sue Williams

Sue Williams is the author of a number of bestselling books, including Father Bob: The Larrikin Priest; Women of the Outback; No Time For Fear – the story of shark attack survivor Paul de Gelder – and Mean Streets, Kind Heart: The Father Chris Riley Story.

Her other books include Left for Dead; Outback Spirit; Welcome to the Outback; Peter Ryan: The Inside Story and And Then The Darkness, about the disappearance of the British backpacker Peter Falconio, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Gold Dagger Award in the UK for the true crime book of the year, and the Ned Kelly Awards in Australia.

Also an award-winning journalist, Sue was born in England, and worked in print and television in the UK and New Zealand. She spent many years travelling around the world before falling in love with Australia in 1989. Since settling here, she has written for many of Australia's leading newspapers and magazines.

Sue's book, Father Bob, inspired the first edition of Penguin's immersive, interactive online reading experience, True Stories.

She lives in Sydney's Kings Cross with her partner, writer Jimmy Thomson.

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