Stories of the strength, heartbreak and passion of rural mums, based on the hit podcast.
'Motherland had me feeling angry, then sobbing, then laughing, then cheering and finally left me so inspired. These true stories, captured so beautifully by Stephanie Trethewey, reveal the guts, grit and courage of rural women while celebrating the power of the human spirit when adversity arrives. A must-read for all women.' Maggie Dent, bestselling author of Girlhood and From Boys to Men
'Motherland is a love letter to rural Australia. It's raw and real. What you read here is life in rural Australia and I'm so glad there these stories are out there.' Fleur McDonald, bestselling Australian author, Voice of the Outback
'I absolutely loved this book. I laughed, I cried and, thanks to Steph's talented storytelling, I feel bonded to the women of the land she has highlighted so honestly.' Giaan Rooney, Olympic swimmer, television presenter and farmer
'Stephanie Trethewey's debut book, Motherland, offers us a very rare and personal insight into the brave and unique lives of Australian rural women - what a privilege.' Bridie Carter, actor
'What started as a way to connect lonely mums across the land has evolved into a touchstone of inspiration, friendship and camaraderie with a whirlwind of emotions thrown in.' Catriona Rowntree, Getaway presenter
Motherhood has not been an easy journey for me. After moving to the farm in 2019 with a 6-month-old in tow, I soon felt the pang of isolation. I started the Motherland Australia podcast to fill a gaping hole I felt out here...connection. I wanted to know that I wasn't alone. That some of the challenges I was facing as a mum were understandable. That being a rural mum matters, and even though we're all out here living our 'ordinary' lives, all our stories are extraordinary in their own way.
Rural communities are the backbone and beating heart of Australia, they produce the food that we eat and rely on every single day. But behind the scenes of our country's farms and outback stations are the tales of incredible rural women that have remained untold, until now. Rural mothers are the glue holding households together across the bush and they are some of the most undervalued and under celebrated women in the agriculture industry.
Motherland gives a voice to a nation of country women by sharing their real, raw, and unbelievable stories of rural motherhood. Based on its binge worthy podcast, Motherland brings together the incredible stories of 14 rural mothers who offer powerful and unfiltered insight into the tragedies and triumphs that have shaped their lives on the land, and how through it all, they've thrived through their most precious yet most challenging role of all- motherhood.
Motherland is inspired by Stephanie Trethewey's own struggles as a rural mum. During her career as a television reporter, she fell in love with a farmer after interviewing him for the six o'clock news. This chance meeting changed her life, and several years later, she swapped city life in Melbourne for farm life in Tasmania, with no idea what she'd signed up for. The transition was a baptism of fire and with a new baby in tow, the isolation soon became crippling.
In 2019 Stephanie launched the Motherland podcast in the hopes that by hearing other women's stories, she would feel less alone, and maybe other rural mums would too. Motherland's impact has since grown far greater than she ever imagined, and has energised rural women across the country, providing support and inspiration as they navigate the unique challenges that come with raising kids on the land. The show has since grown into a powerful online community of rural mothers, and now for the first time, Motherland cements some of their journeys in writing.
