From Eskimo Point to Alice Springs: Adventures in Nursing from the Arctic to the Outback

by Anne Watts

In the early 1960s, Anne Watts was a newly qualified nurse, eager to use her skills. Her father expected her to work locally, not too far from North Wales, where Anne had grown up, and to then settle down and have children. However, Anne was a 'chip off the old block' who had inherited her father's adventurous spirit and at the first opportunity she set sail for Canada, to work in the remote stations in the frozen north of the country. She found a placement easily, one of only a couple of women to work among the indigenous peoples who, in those days, were called Eskimos. With the whole world to explore, Anne later headed for Alice Springs in the Australian outback. She speaks eloquently about what it was like to be a nurse and midwife among a tough cattle-ranching community who lived, not always harmoniously, in close proximity with Australia's Aboriginal people. Working with native peoples, Anne's eyes were opened to their skills at surviving the harshest of environments, but also to the prejudices they suffered. Forty years later, Anne returned to both countries to see how life has changed in Eskimo Point and Alice Springs, and what has become of its people and landscape.

Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my inspiration as a nurse to do as Anne did and travel the world helping so many people. I loved her confidence in herself, especially during a time of such change and colonisation she still sees everyone as equal (or you can see it developing) the more she learns about the people who's country she is in and what it means to them.
I found the ending interesting when she went back and discovered how things had changed, reflecting back on how things were for better and worse.
Exciting, thought provoking, entertaining, passionate, insightful. Everything you need.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read and quite enjoyable.

[Amberlea Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is deeply moving and I absolutely adore it!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a amazing journey Anne's life has been.