We of the Never-Never

"We of the Never-Never" by Jeannie Gunn is a story set in the early 1900s, telling about living in the Australian outback, mainly in the Northern Territory. The book follows the Maluka and his wife, called "the Missus," when they move to a far-off cattle station named Elsey, also known as the Never-Never. The author shows their encounters with different people, like the locals, stockmen, and Aboriginal people, highlighting what it’s like to live in the rough wilderness. The story starts with the Maluka and the Missus waiting to go to Elsey. We get to know funny characters like the Sanguine Scot and the Quiet Stockman, creating excitement about the Missus coming and if she can manage living in the bush. The author shows the Missus' worries and strong will to start her new life, even though the bushmen warned her. The beginning combines jokes with serious thoughts about the friendships and problems faced by those living in the tough land, giving us a taste of what it was like to live on the Australian frontier.