Cirrus@Austlit

'After there'd been a robbery in a block of Wiluna retirement units, two police officers arrive to begin their investigations. They knock on the front door of the first unit in the block. An old lady answers.

''Lady,' says one of the police officers, 'where were you between 5 and 6?'

''I'm not exactly sure, officer,' replies the old lady, 'but I was most probably in kindergarten.'

'Australia's outback police have seen it all: natural disasters, incredible acts of selflessness, unspeakable crimes and daring rescues, to name just a few. And they've met some unforgettable characters along the way. This memorable and eye-opening collection of real-life accounts from cops on the frontline in the heart of Australia is by turns inspiring, poignant, heartbreaking and hilarious.

'Bill 'Swampy' Marsh is an award-winning writer and performer of stories, songs and plays. He spent most of his youth in rural south-western NSW and now lives in Adelaide. Swampy is one of ABC Books' bestselling authors of Australian stories; this is his twentieth book.'  (Publication summary)

'A collection of the funniest yarns and most colourful characters from the bestselling 'Great Australian Stories' series from beloved storyteller Bill 'Swampy' Marsh.

'The term 'Bible bashing' took on new meaning in our household. Not so much for its reading, though God certainly remained high on Mum's spiritual priorities, but more for its treatment of bunions, chilblains, corns, etc. Mum suffered from bunions until she started bashing them with the heavy family Bible, believing the Lord's weight behind the Lord's word could move anything from mountains to bunions.

'Bill 'Swampy' Marsh has spent more than twenty years travelling to every corner of Australia, talking to people from all walks of life, collecting their wild, wonderful and whacky stories

'More Great Australian Outback Yarns includes many of the most memorable tales from Swampy's collections. The colourful characters in these pages capture the generosity, humour and laconic quality that bring to life the heart and soul of outback Australia.' (Publication summary)

'A collection of the funniest yarns and most colourful characters from the bestselling 'Great Australian Stories' series from beloved storyteller Bill 'Swampy' Marsh.

'When he'd finished playing, a solemn silence fell as Brian and the gravediggers stared down into that three-quarter-filled hole. 'I must apologise,' Brian said to the two men, 'this's the first time I've played at a pauper's funeral, and I'm a bit emotional.'

'Well,' said one of the diggers, sniffling back the tears, 'it's the first time we've ever had a piper play at one of our septic tank installations.'

'The Australian Outback can be harsh, but it's the kind of place where you either learn to laugh off your troubles or fold under the pressure.

'Bill 'Swampy' Marsh has a deep affection and respect for people living in the Australian Bush, and he's spent more than twenty years travelling to every corner of our wide brown land, talking to people from all walks of life, collecting their memories and stories.

'Great Australian Outback Yarns captures the funniest tales from Swampy's many books in one volume. The colourful characters in these pages are full of generosity, humour and a larrikin Aussie spirit. These true stories of life in remote and regional Australia from Australia's master storyteller will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

'Bill 'Swampy' Marsh is an award-winning writer and performer of stories, songs and plays. He spent most of his youth in rural south-western NSW and now lives in Adelaide. This is his twenty-fifth book.'  (Publication summary)

'Us firefighters do more than fight fires. We also assist those who have just gone through what's probably the worst experience of their lives.'

'The devastating 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires threw the importance of our volunteer firefighters into sharp focus. But these brave men and women don't just step up to protect life and property in fires; they are also there to help in road accidents, plane crashes, natural disasters like cyclones and floods - and, yes, they even rescue pets that have got themselves into strife.

'In this collection of first-hand stories, ranging from the 1880s to 2020, our courageous volunteer firies take us right up to the frontlines and reveal the stark realities of the dangers they face to keep our communities safe.

'This book serves as a tribute to the thousands of volunteer firies across Australia who roll up their sleeves and selflessly put their lives on the line to assist their fellow human beings.' (Publication summary)

'Master storyteller Bill 'Swampy' Marsh has travelled the width and breadth of Australia to bring together yet another memorable collection of stories. This time he has met with many of our outback truckers that criss-cross our nation - across deserts, rivers, and the Great Dividing Range - to share their extraordinary yarns and tales.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'We're nearing the end of the service and so I step closer in to do the last 'ashes to ashes and dust to dust' bit. Just as I get to the edge of the grave, the soil gives away and in I go. Well, they reckon I was like a kangaroo. I hardly missed a beat. I went down into the grave like that, hit the coffin and I bounded back out in one big leap. And I'm now standing back up beside the grave, trying not to shake, while I continue with the service: 'Ashes to ashes, dust to dust'.'

'Death doesn't mean the end of memorable stories from the bush. In fact, often it's just the beginning.

'These tales from police officers, nurses, funeral directors, priests, gravediggers and those left behind, show that bush ingenuity comes to the fore when coping with corpses that won't cooperate or can't be found, bodies that don't stay buried, and weather and wildlife trying to sabotage the best-planned funerals. This memorable and eye-opening collection of real-life accounts of passing away and saying goodbye in the Australian bush is by turns, poignant, bizarre, heartbreaking and hilarious.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Stories and memories that capture the experience of nursing in the bush, gathered by the inimitable Bill 'Swampy' Marsh, bestselling author of Great Australian Flying Doctor Stories and Great Australian Police Stories. 

'With hearts as big as the outback, rural and remote nurses are a dedicated and gutsy bunch who work selflessly to care for their communities, often in isolated and inhospitable conditions, with few resources but plenty of experience, courage and care.This memorable and eye-opening collection of real-life accounts from nurses in the Australian bush is by turns inspiring, poignant, horrifying and hilarious - and Swampy should know. It was while he was researching this book he had a near-fatal fall from a cliff in Kakadu, and experienced first-hand the skill and heroism of these outback nurses in extraordinary situations.'  (Publication summary)

'For the first time, Bill Marsh's terrific collection of outback yarns centred on the Royal Flying Doctor Service are available in one bumper volume.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is a unique icon of Australian culture. Since its beginnings with the Reverend John Flynn in 1928, the RFDS has helped build our nation. the Flying Doctors, and the remote stations and communities that they serve, have become enduring symbols of what it means to be Australian. the Complete Book of Australian Flying Doctor Stories is a fascinating, moving and often hilarious collection of true stories about the life in the Australian Outback. Hear of those whose very lives depend on the Royal Flying Doctor Service, like the man suffering from extreme burns who rode his motorbike eighteen kilometres back across his property to get help while opening and closing every gate along the way because you 'always leave gates as you find them'. Out here, stoicism and a sense of humour go hand in hand, as in the case of the stockman with a compound leg fracture who, when asked by the Flying Doctor if it hurt, replied, 'Oh, it itches a bit. 'through fog, lightning, thunder, flooding rains and dust storms, the Flying Doctor braves the elements to get to the remote outback landing strips where they're needed ­... and the tales they live to tell will have you shaking your head in amazement.'(Publication summary)

 (Publication summary)

'A fascinating, moving and often funny collection of stories about the Australian way of life.For 10-14 year olds. 'If you've got a minute to spare I'll more than gladly relate to you the real, true, fair-dinkum, ridgy-didge, authentic story ... 'Bill 'Swampy' Marsh is one of Australia's most popular storytellers - he knows a good story when he hears it and now he has gathered together a collection of real Aussie adventures for younger readers! Imagine droving thousands of cattle across the vast outback for months, living under the stars without any parents around. Lots of people in this collection have done just that. You'll also hear great stories about fast trains running away without drivers, learn how to shear a sheep (and how not to), and read about the flying doctor service arriving just in the nick of time. Some stories you'll have to read to believe.these are stories of an Australia that is disappearing, but you can experience them today.For 10-14 year olds.'  (Publication summary)

'In these frustrating days of diesel and electric trains it is hard to remember the smell of coal smoke, the hiss of steam, and the sting of cinders flying into your eyes. With his passion for the olden days and his famous ear for a good yarn, Bill 'Swampy' Marsh has brought together another enthralling collection of funny, dramatic, and hilarious stories from drivers and gangers, firemen and guards, their families and everyone in between.

'Just as he did in Great Flying Doctor Stories, Great Australian Shearing Stories, and Great Australian Droving Stories, Bill ‘Swampy’ Marsh helps us remember who and what we were as a nation on this journey you’ll never forget.' (Publication summary)

'The world of the Australian drover is almost forgotten. In this book we hear of the men (and women) who travelled vast distances along Australia's stock routes. Bill 'Swampy' Marsh travelled around Australia gathering their stories. Before utes, planes and helicopters, mustering and droving were done by a group of men who, on horseback, would move thousands of head of cattle and sheep vast distances in the search for better grazing. It was an isolated and often difficult life, but one frequently filled with adventure and great humour. Bill 'Swampy' Marsh has travelled throughout Australia to make sure the voices and stories of these wry, tough men are not lost forever. In this collection of 60 adventures you will find out about the extraordinary lives on the road of the great Australian drover.' (Publication summary)