“Jenny’s story will appeal to many Australians. It is a tale of pioneering, but in modern times, the 1960s through till 80s, highlighting the importance of the role of the women in the Outback,” said Liverpool Plains Shire Council’s (LPSC) Acting Business Services Manager, Angus Fraser.

Jenny Bull grew up in the Riverina and at 22 fell in love with Rick Old, married and went to live and work with him developing the cattle property ‘McAllister’ in the Gulf Country.

She had no idea of the primitive conditions she’d find herself in, living in a shed with a 44-gallon drum for the stove and a shower hose and a bucket in a tree for the bathroom.

Often her only contact with the outside world was through her two-way radio. 

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Stretched to the limits, she achieved more than she ever thought herself capable of. With every setback and in the toughest of times, when the odds seemed insurmountable, she learnt to dust herself off, find a smile and just keep on going.

With no telephone, Jenny’s only means of communication with her family was hand-written letters. Like many bush families before and after them, Jenny and Rick battled through many trials and tribulations during their eighteen years at ‘McAllister’.

Yet their world was a big as the landscape in which they lived, filled as it was with generosity, wonderful characters and the joy of life. There, they established an oasis for their family and friends.

Jenny, who is now 70, Survived fires, floods, Cyclone Ted and the 1970s Beef Crash.

She used the letters she had sent her mother as the timeline for this remarkable story in this her first book Back of Beyond, which is published by Allen & Unwin.

Jenny Old says the message in her novel is that determination, commitment, dealing with the difficult times with optimism and a sense of humour and love will conquer all!

“Quirindi Library looks forward to having Jenny sharing her tale with locals. Light refreshments will be available after the talk,” Angus concluded.

Keeping in mind the popularity of past author talks and the limited spaces that are available, interested persons are urged to ring Quirindi Library on 6746 2350, as soon as possible, to secure a spot for when author Jenny Old visits to discuss her book Back of Beyond on Friday 6 July at 10.30am.