Publication type

non-fiction

Summary

Chauvel Country is the history of a family whose roots can be traced into France, then England, and who came to Australia as pioneers of the Clarence River in New South Wales. It is the story of the individual members of that family, soldiers and sailors who fought their battles in the far places of the Empire. There are memories of the First World War of the author's hero father, and of the idyllic English countryside.
In more recent times we share the author's experiences of riding through the Australian bush, of the lure of distant snow-capped mountains to be explored on skis, in the days before easy access roads, of skiing in North and South America, Europe and New Zealand. We also share the lonely years of the Second World War, when she carried on the family property while her husband was a prisoner of war in Changi prison.
Elyne Mitchell is a remarkable woman, and in this book the reader is led on a unique journey through her life from childhood to an aware maturity and wisdom.