AustLit

''Rainbows Across the Outback' is a collection of short stories and poems written by Gwenneth Leane.

'For many years, Gwenneth lived in Port Augusta, rubbing shoulders with the people who make their homes and livelihood in the outback. She has travelled extensively through the remote regions, as an Opal mine, and as a tourist to the APY Lands.

'Gwenneth grew to love the outback, to appreciate its beauty as well as its harshness. Admiration grew for those who live and work in the remote regions. She wrote 'Rainbows Across the Outback' from her experiences, the characters, the courage and bravery of the inhabitants she had met during her life and travels.

''Rainbows Across the Outback' is a tribute to the pioneers who settled in the remote regions, taming the land and making a living. Gwenneth dedicates this anthology to the pioneers and those who came after them and built on their foundations.' (Publication summary)

'Clara Brady and her brother Ron were born into the Yunkunytjatjara clan. This idyllic life came to an abrupt end when Tom Brady, Clara’s father died. Tom's instructions to the Protector of Aborigines is that Clara and Ron attend a white school. These directives never reached the family until police officers arrived to escort the children to the Mission Home in Oodnadatta, South Australia.
At six years of age, Clara’s life was turned about face when severed from the free, nomadic culture of Aboriginal life into the regimented lifestyle of white culture. As the events of that traumatic day unfolded, Clara made a vow to return to her people regardless of what her captors threw at her. ‘The Spirit Prevails’ is the story of how Clara kept that pledge and returned to her people. 
The learning of a new language, habits, culture, and strange food, coping with being a ‘yella fella’ or half-caste are almost insurmountable hurdles that Clara had to overcome.
'Graduating from Teachers College, the young Clara applied to teach Aboriginal children in the Mission School at Oodnadatta and was accepted. Clara was home at last. 
'The role Clara would play would be as a negotiator between her people and governments. Clara’s life would be one of selfless giving to gain a better deal for the indigenous people.
'‘The Spirit Prevails’ reveals the life of an exceptional woman who sought no personal gain or kudos, but only the betterment of a culture deemed by the conquers not to be worthy of the basics of life.' (Publication summary)