We Of The Never-Never
By Mrs Aeneas Gunn
Abridged And Adapted For Use In Schools
Published by Robertson & Mullens Ltd: Melbourne 1944
"Jeannie Gunn OBE (pen name, Mrs Aeneas Gunn) (5 June 1870 - 9 June 1961) was an Australian novelist, teacher and Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) volunteer.
We of the Never-Never by Mrs. Aeneas Gunn is a memoir-like account of the author's experiences living in the remote Northern Territory of Australia in the early 1900s. Drawing on her time at Elsey Station, where she joined her husband after their marriage, Gunn vividly describes the vast, untamed landscape of the "Never-Never" and the small, tight-knit community of stockmen, Aboriginal workers, and pioneers who inhabited it. Through affectionate portraits of the people she meets—each given memorable nicknames—she captures both the hardships and the humour of life in the outback, from isolation and harsh weather to moments of camaraderie and shared resilience.
The book also reflects a deep appreciation for the beauty and challenges of the Australian bush, balancing moments of lyrical description with candid observations about station life. Gunn's writing conveys a sense of adventure and adaptability, while subtly documenting the cultural and social dynamics of frontier living, including interactions between settlers and Aboriginal people. Beneath its light, often warm tone lies a story of personal courage and quiet endurance, particularly poignant given the author's own loss—her husband's death less than a year after their arrival—making the memoir both a celebration of a unique way of life and a tribute to the pioneering spirit."
General wear and fading to covers with some damage to outer spine as shown. Text block sits loose inside covers (easy enough glue repair). Pages are clean and well presented. A nice reading copy, somewhat scarce in this format. Please study photos to further understand condition.
