A question I ask all the characters in the book is what’s the most memorable time of life so far? Poor Hilda’s was... "When all my brothers had to go to War and coming home from church one evening to see my mum in tears who never cried. This was when England declared war on Germany (1939). My mum said I never thought I would rear my son’s to be gun fodder." I am just constantly reminded how strong this generation was and still is. Both Hilda’s parents died very early.

Hi Tanya, I saw the cover of your collection of photographs and thought I recognised the name of the author; I do and believe you are truly gifted. There are very few photographs, and even fewer photographers, that can project the character of a person in a photograph. Many years ago when I did a little study in photography, I learnt that the major difference between art and photography was that the former could portray 'character' through colour, contrast, and brush strokes.

I recently revisited with Joyce, now 94, to share her 'newfound notoriety' in Outback Magazine and was once again struck by her warmth as she welcomed me in. Joyce and I have no prior connection, yet she reminds me of my own grandmother, perhaps something in her smile. On this visit she confessed that seeing herself through my lens made her feel old, that her wrinkles showed her age, so I had to remind her of her value, to me and to this community. To me, Joyce epitomises

Hannah Pearl Simpson (nee Rogers) Born December 15th, 1915 Manildra, NSW " I really ner say bad things about anyone" Pearl was born at Manildra, a small farming community on the banks of Mandagery Creek between Orange and Parkes. She lived her life close by at Molong where she and husband William ran a farm and raised their four children. Pearl loved the farm. Here she tended a flock of one hundred chickens, whose eggs she'd sell on the railway to Orange. Pearl proudl