Sing for Australia

Isabel was born at Macksville, New South Wales. Surrounded by extended family, music and storytelling on their dairy farm at Congarinni, she learnt respect for the land.

After graduating from Sydney Teachers' College she taught at the primary level then worked with autistic children. Yet the call of the country was so great that she returned to manage sheep and cattle in her own right. This was when she began to write books, one for her father, one for her husband and three for children which she used as fund raisers for child health.

The Writing of Sing for Australia

 Isabel describes her feelings after having just completed a difficult muster of some three hundred and fifty wethers from the mountain paddock, on her own but for the "help" of an inexperienced dog: 
“Exhausted, I shut the yard gates and turned to gaze back at the mountain, the exposed rocks, trees and springs shining in the morning sun. I was stunned by the beauty of it all.
With my head full of music I sat down to have a cup of tea. Two hours later I heard the semitrailer arrive to load the sheep. The tea was cold but I had composed a song. So let's “Sing for Australia” together for the country we all love and respect.”

Muster at Old Clifton painted by George Tuck

George captured the magic of the day that inspired  Isabel's song.

Books by Isabel Tuck

   Letters to my Father
These were actual letters I had written to my father to help him through long days in nursing care after having lived a very vital life.  The stories therefore are about his early married life, setting up a dairy farm during the depression years.
"The book is insightful." (Advocate Coffs Harbour)

   Hope Junction 
I wrote these stories for my husband when he retired from the university as I thought he may find the farm too quiet. It is written with country tongue-in-cheek humour but also to high light the real problem of drift to the city by country youth."
"as Australian as Australia itself” (Goulburn Evening Post)

   Adam's Garden
This book was written for my grandnephew who had just been diagnosed with cancer, in an effort to take his outdoor play into his hospital bed with the message that 'no matter what we might lose, we still have places to go through our imagination'."
"Outstanding book in its class" (Children's Book Council)

   Solarium Fairies
After speaking to a Rotary Group on the Sunshine Coast about Adam's Garden, I was asked for a book about fairies for girls. I replied "Sorry, I can't do fairies." Later I was watching the light glow on a dewdrop and inspired I wrote about fairies relating to nature.
"motivates children to take a closer look at the world they live in." (Wagga Daily Advertiser)

   My Happy Book
As I spoke to groups of children I noticed some were withdrawn. So I wrote 'My Happy Book', to tell them they were special and with some suggestions which may help them enjoy their days.
"reinforces Isabel's message of happiness and health" (Wagga Daily Advertiser)