This is simply a collection of stories about ordinary people who lived such extraordinary lives in the Australian outback during the latter half of the 19th century, enduring both perilous and inconceivable experiences. These stories are of tragedy, hardship and unbelievable cruelty, but also of laughter and survival of the fittest and most of all the resilience and hardship of the women who accompanied their men. Though fictional, all stories are based on actual events and real people you won’t find in the history books.

Many of these stories are based on and influenced by conversations the author enjoyed with a wonderful old gentleman called John Peter Kennedy, known always as Jack. He was a well-known wit and raconteur who had spent most of his life beyond the Selwyn Ranges in north-west Queensland.

These are the stories of the unsung heroes of the Australian outback.