Description: More then 80 percent of Australia's population is clustered in and around cities on the coastal fringe, and yet the lives of Australians on the land still capture the collective imaginations of readers everywhere. For over 200 years, the pioneering spirit of Australia's rural people has enabled them to meet the challenges presented by a difficult climate in a fragile land. This beautiful book acknowledges the foundations of the past and celebrates a future built upon a resilient country spirit. Evocative images and text combine to create a picture of rural life that will appeal to readers everywhere. The book begins with an introductory essay surveying the rapid transformation of rural Australia from the early days of European settlement to the present. Five thematic sections follow, looking at critical elements of country life -- Land, Work, Town, Communication, and Home. There is a strong focus on work practices, lifestyles and the daily routines of country people engaged in the activities that have helped shape the identity of rural communities over the past hundred years of so. This book celebrates the indomitable spirit of rural people and reminds us that the land claims us as much as we claim it.

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