Dianne Wolfer’s latest book about gutsy pioneering nurse and pilot Robin Miller offers such an inspiring, interesting and delightful read.
Soaring with the Sugarbird Lady: The Robin Miller Story is a work of historical fiction based on the true story of Robin who, in the late 1960s, flew nearly 70,000km to administer polio vaccines to remote communities in WA’s north-west. Robin not only single-handedly administered the vaccines but she also devised the program, convinced the authorities to let her do it and ended up treating a range of other medical conditions during her visits. There is no doubt that Robin’s efforts saved literally thousands of lives and improved the lives of countless others.
Flying was definitely in Robin’s blood as she was the daughter of aviation legend Horrie Miller and the book recounts Robin’s life from early childhood when Horrie would fly the family from Perth to Broome to spend the dry season up north. Robin’s mother Mary Durack was also a high achiever as she was the author of the quintessential Australian Classic, ‘Kings In Grass Castles’.
Throughout this book there are wonderful descriptions of what WA’s northern regions look like from the air. Towering termite mounds, vast coastlines and the changes in the landscape’s colours and vegetation are all things the author notes along the way. The author also beautifully conveys the sensation of flying a light aircraft and there are moments where you really do feel you are in the cockpit.
There’s also nail-biting accounts of Robin’s other monumental adventures including her flight from Paris to Perth and later from America to Perth. The danger of these long distance flights is palpable as Robin encounters all manner of threatening weather conditions and you really do wonder how she managed to survive such treacherous journeys. During these accounts the author adds information about landmarks, geography and customs of the places she flies over and the places where she lands. All these elements make this book highly educational and anyone who remembers the 1960s and 70s will certainly grin at some of the references to those eras.
This book also includes many of Robin’s own words taken from her personal diary and information from the inspirational book ‘Flying Nurse’ that Robin wrote after the death of her sister. Information was also gathered from Robin’s surviving siblings as well as from the several books and archival records written about Robin’s distinguished parents. All these elements add vital factual details to Robin’s amazing story.
Sadly Robin Miller died all too young, at age 35, but in her short life she achieved more than most would achieve in several lifetimes. As the author correctly notes, Robin was a “trailblazer for women” who won numerous awards. Sugarbird Lady Road at Perth’s airport was also named in her honour.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone interested in aviation, history and inspiring Australian women. The author’s uncomplicated sentences and dialog allow the story to move at a fast pace which keeps the reader engaged. It’s also an ideal book for early readers and would make an excellent choice as a classroom read for schools looking for stories about recent Australian history.
Author: Dianne Wolfer
Publisher: Fremantle Press
ISBN: 9 781760 995270
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This book review is supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund
