Book tells of life in the bush

North West pastoralists have featured in Helen Kent’s new book, Stories of Australian Country People, which captures the unique stories and spectacular landscapes of Northern Australia.

Launched at the Kimberley Cattlemen’s Conference in Broome last week, the photo book showcases 35 captivating stories from the Pilbara, Kimberley, Northern Territory and Queensland.

Helen and her husband Lyle, began recording these stories during their travels with family-owned business, Kent Saddlery, which visited up to 140 cattle stations on each journey.

Every year since 1991, the couple made the extensive trek, taking their travelling shop into the outback and establishing many friendships along the way with station people across Northern Australia..

Several prominent characters from the North West have featured in Kent’s intuitive and charming narrative, including Ruby Plains Station’s Merv Wortley Senior , Spring Creek Station’s Mike Shaw and Michael and Julie Percy, of Yalleen Station.

Ms Kent said the book reflected on the personal tales of station folk, giving readers an intimate sense of “life in the bush”.

“This book, Stories of Australian Country People, focuses on the people, not so much the country,” she said.

“Each story is unique. We have tried to capture that uniqueness, bringing people’s character to life”.

Ms Kent said she was first inspired to record these stories for a book during a trip in 2006, where she met an inspirational couple with an incredible tale of resilience in the face of tragedy.

“We just wanted to write it down,” she said.

Mr Kent said the couple had always had a genuine affinity for station people and a deep admiration for their “resilience” and “hard-working ways”.

“People in the bush are different, unique,” he said.

“Some who haven’t been educated but have such amazing memories and are great story tellers.

“I always have and still today get a buzz when we drive down the station driveways.”

To purchase a copy of Stories of Australian Country People, call 1800 651 535, buy online at www.kentsaddlery.com.au or visit Kent Saddlery in Stanthorpe, Queensland.