Motherland is a superb compilation of short stories. The way they have been woven around the theme of women in the outback is most engaging. The foreword by Stephanie Trethewey is equally revealing as she discloses her past experiences. She was a single journalist hunting down the exciting stories in the city, and working at a frantic pace to keep up. Her life was fast, glamorous, and full on. Then one day, on a slow day, she met a farmer. He was speaking at a conference. Thus begins her journey.
An impressive feature of this book is the map at the front. It clearly shows where each woman who has contributed a story to this book lives. It really helps to clarify the reader’s imagination, knowing the exact location in the country, of each author. All the states and territories are represented by women with their story to tell. Julie McDonald tells her story which changed her life in a second. She went from the happiest of women, married to the love of her life, to a widow with four children.
Karen Brock from Tasmania was announced as the AgriFutures Rural woman of the Year in 2020. But life had not always been easy for her. As a young mother with two small children, she was subjected to domestic violence that was horrific. When you are alone and there “are kilometres of paddock around …and there’s no help,” it seems there is no way out. Again, isolation plays a huge part for country women.
Each of the stories we read tell of the love of the country, the lifestyle and the family. For each story, there is a time when the lack of services and help can mean the difference between life and death. Motherland presents the courage and passion that these women show which is to be celebrated.
