Rachel was not content to be what was expected woman of her times. She felt that women who did so much in establishing the family farm and home and aspects of life in the mid-1800s to early 1900s should have equal rights, to be able to vote and to ride a horse astride.

Riding astride and not side-saddle was seen as un-lady like but she did not see the practicality of riding side-saddle in the bush,. It certainly would have been impractical as she rode and tamed the wild horses of the area, the brumbies. Rachel loved the brumbies and took a different more gentle and caring approach breaking them in. She was revered as an outstanding horsewoman. A skill she acquired from her father and one that she passed down to a grandson.

Although uneducated and illiterate she was smart. When she married her beloved first husband Robert Mcgill, he began to teach her how to read and write. She improved her literacy and writing and realised the value of an education.

Eventually at their home Box Ridge, they negotiated with the then Department of Education opening a school for their own and the local children. They donated an acre of their land for the school building which included accommodation for a teacher. She loved books and reading and together with others established the Warrumbungle Literary Society and a library in the school building. 

Sadly, like many families at the time she gave birth to children who died within days and one can feel the heartbreak. Rachel learned from a doctor about the importance of hygiene which helped when she had more children and became a revered mid-wife and nurse, often riding her horse as much as 20 miles at night to mothers in need of her help. People in the district sought her help when they fill ill.

Through her friendship with childhood friend, Mary Jane, who was of Aboriginal and Irish parentage, she learned about bush medicine and bush tucker. Going against the norm of the day, Rachel and Mary Jane became lifelong friends - "sisters".

She had little time for the corrupt police and was at war with squatter kings (squattocracy), the ruthless wool barons, some I am sad to know have Sydney suburbs named after them. Rachel fed starving families during the shearing strikes. She helped bush rangers hide in the Warrumbungles, fought for the underdog after observing the bitter experiences of the Chinese population on the goldfields in her youth. From the Chinese people she learned to make lanterns and would make these for special celebrations.

Her story also includes the beginnings of the Labor Party and highlights the injustices carried out to First Nations people to which Rachel strongly objected. There are some eye-opening paragraphs such as when Chris Watson was elected Prime Minister in 1904, the squattocracy referred to his election as the "peasantry" coming into power.

There are some moments of conjecture, but given the author is her great great grandson it’s possible some of these stories were passed down in the family. It is a pleasure to read this at times heart breaking and heart warming story of a true pioneering women, who not only left a remarkable legacy, but was years ahead of her time.

The Author: Jeff McGill is a freelance writer, photographer and former newspaper editor who loves telling Australian stories.

Highly recommended.reading.

This is independent review, I am not paid by the publishers, so.If you Liked this review, Buy me a coffee



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