An Alice Girl

Book excerpt: An Alice Girl is Tanya Heaslip's extraordinary story of growing up in the late 1960s and early 70s on a vast and isolated outback cattle property just north of Alice Springs. Tanya's parents, Janice and Grant 'the Boss', were pioneers. They developed the cattle station where water was scarce, where all power was dependent on generators and where a trip to town for supplies usually meant a full day's journey. Grant was determined to teach his children how to survive in this severe and isolated environment and his lessons were often harsh. Tanya and her siblings led a childhood unimaginable to many Australians. Whether working the mobs of cattle with the stockmen, playing cattle-duffing on horseback or singing and doing lessons at their School of the Air desks, the children were always aware of the demands of the land. But while her sister and brothers loved riding and working stock, Tanya's heart longed to be back at the homestead with her books and stories. In a childhood that many would consider very tough, Tanya tells of this precious time with raw honesty, humour, love and kindness. This is the story of an Alice girl. 'Tanya Heaslip lived the outback childhood of Australian mythology. Stories like this remind us that love of place is universal.' Kim Mahood, NSW Premier's Literary Award for Craft for a Dry Lake 'Tanya's story glows with love for family and the rugged, wild outback land that never leaves her heart.' Toni Tapp Coutts, bestselling author of A Sunburnt Childhood 'Territory station kids like Tanya had the ultimate upbringing . . . A great read!' Ted Egan AO, bestselling author of Outback Songman