" RACHEL " Jeff McGill

 

RACHEL      Jeff McGill

“Brumby hunter, medicine woman, bushranger’s ally and troublemaker for good”…the remarkable pioneering life of RACHEL KENNEDY..

The summation above still doesn’t quite do her justice. I loved this book ..and I’m sure I would have loved and admired this lady. Nothing fazed her, nor stopped her in doing what she felt was the right thing. Whenever she was told ‘no’ re something that she considered she could do, she proved them wrong. She spent her life making other’s lives better and disputing the arrogance and greed of those who tried to claim all and push her people out. Whether it be as teacher, nurse, advocate, friend, or warrior, Rachel was the one they turned to. She loved the Warrumbungle mountains and it’s people with a passion.

She proved that she could catch brumbies as well as any man, (riding with a man’s saddle) opposed those who tried to push her family and people out of their own land.. fed the starving, helped all who needed care, medical or otherwise and lived a long and busy life. Caring for family and her home land were her missions in life. Despite some major battles with the greed of some, she eventually earned the respect of most. Rachel was a woman to be admired as “Australia’s greatest woman pioneer of all time” quoting Duke Tritton of The Bulletin.

Her great great grandson, Jeff McGill, has shared his pride in his ancestor in a ‘must read’, ‘never to be forgotten’  gift to Australian historians and all who love a good read.

My thanks to Traces Magazine who awarded me this much appreciated prize.