By Narelle Atkins
I was in primary (elementary) school when the iconic Aussie movie, The Man from Snowy River, was released in 1982. At the time it was the highest grossing Australian movie at the box office, overtaken a few years later by the smash hit Crocodile Dundee.
I watched The Man from Snowy River for the first time on television, and I fell in love with the Snowy Mountains setting. I grew up on the northern beaches in Sydney, with ocean views from my childhood home, but I’ve always been fascinated by mountains. My husband has despaired that I’ve refused to consider buying property in an area that doesn’t have hills, lol.
The Man from Snowy River movie is based on a famous Australian poem by the same name. It was published in 1895 by Banjo Paterson. I was never a big fan of poetry, but I loved Banjo Paterson’s poems because they were often humorous and told a story. The Man from Snowy River is an Aussie bush ballad, and the words can be found here. Banjo Paterson’s most famous poem is the bush ballad and song Waltzing Matilda, often referred to as our unofficial Australian national anthem.
The Man from Snowy River movie is a romance, set in the late 1800’s. Our hero, Jim Craig, is trying to catch ‘the colt from Old Regret’, and gain the respect of the high country men. Jim wants to run his late father’s farm, in the high country near Mt. Kosciusko. He works on a farm in the low lands and falls in love with our heroine, Jessica. A prized colt disappears, and Clancy of the Overflow (who features in another Banjo Paterson poem) leads a roundup of the wild horses (known as brumbies).
My interest in the movie and the Snowy Mountains setting only increased when, in my late teens, I was introduced to Tom Burlinson (the actor of Jim Craig) by a customer at the bank where I worked in a northern Sydney suburb. He was lovely, and it was normal to meet celebrities where I worked. This was back in the day before internet banking, when everyone had to actually go inside a bank to deposit and withdraw money.
A few years later I married my husband, Jay. We travelled to the south-western slopes of New South Wales (the north-western side of the Snowy Mountains) to stay with his family who owned apple orchards. I love this part of the world, and the seed of inspiration for Falling for the Farmer, my debut novel, was born during a visit to the apple farms. I pondered the question: What if a pampered city girl was stuck living and working on an apple farm?
The second book in the series, The Nurse’s Perfect Match, is a May 2014 release. The third book, The Doctor’s Return, will release in August 2014. The books are set in the fictitious town of Snowgum Creek, near the Snowy Mountains.
I’m giving away a print copy of The Nurse’s Perfect Match (worldwide, wherever The Book Depository delivers) to a reader who leaves a comment on this post and enters the Rafflecopter giveaway.
NURSE AMY WILKINS HAS COME HOME
After her marriage ends in tragedy, Amy returns to Snowgum Creek to rebuild her life. There she meets widower Ben Morton, who’s not looking for romance, though his young children are eager for Amy’s attention. She’s given up on her dream of being a mother, but can’t ignore how she’s drawn to Ben’s little ones, and to their handsome farmer dad.
As love kindles between Ben and Amy, she worries how she’ll ever measure up to the wife he lost. And Ben is concerned about how Amy will ever truly fit into life on the farm. They could be the answer to each other’s prayers—if the secret Amy is keeping doesn’t tear them apart.
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Have you seen The Man from Snowy River movie? Or, visited Australia? If you could visit anywhere in Australia, what would be your number one destination? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
I did watch the Man from Snowy River but hated the ending it didn’t end right for me. I always think of the high Country as being in Victoria more so than New South Wales but I know they are in both states. Love that you met Tom Burlingson. I also love your first two books.
Hi Jenny, Interestingly, the movie was filmed in the high country of Victoria which has similar scenery to the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales. I’ve also travelled around the Victorian high country, and it’s a gorgeous part of the world. I’m glad you’ve loved reading my books. Thanks for stopping by :)
I loved The Man from Snowy River series. When I was a kid we lived in Papua New Guinea and I remember some of the songs you mentioned. We traveled back to the states stopping in Australia for 2 weeks on the way. I’ll be reading this series!
I love that movie also and would love to read this book, also. Never traveled to this area but have always wanted to.
Yes, I saw that movie, but many, many years ago. If I could visit Australia I’d want to go to Sydney. I’d also like to see some of the outback, but I don’t like snakes or spiders, so I’m not so sure about that part. :)
Your book sounds great, Narelle.
Haven’t see it yet but the series looks really good! I love Romance!
Wow, It’s fascinating to learn that you heard our traditional Aussie bush songs in PNG! I’m glad you had the chance to spend a few weeks in Australia, and I hope you’ll have the opportunity to read my Snowgum Creek books :) Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Sonja, I hope you’ll be able to visit my beautiful country one day :) Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing!
Hi Kimberly, Sydney is my hometown, and I hope you’ll have the opportunity to visit Sydney and the outback. And, avoid the snakes and spiders… Where I live in Canberra, you’re much more likely to see a kangaroo than a snake or spider, if that makes you feel better :)
Hi Carla, I hope you’ll have the chance to read my Snowgum Creek series :) Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing!
Narelle, I LOVED that movie! That puts a whole different spin on your books as I read them. :)
Interesting to read your post, Narelle. I’m probably one of the few who never saw the movie. Enjoyed your first book though so would love to read this one.
Hi Stacy, it’s fun to read books in settings that we can visualise from movies :)
Hi Dale, thanks for stopping by :) I’m glad you enjoyed Falling for the Farmer, and I hope you’ll have the opportunity to read The Nurse’s Perfect Match. Good luck in the drawing!
Yes, I’ve watched The Man from Snowy River many times :) It would be cool to visit Australia one day.
Hi Becky, It’s a fun movie that I’ve watched many times, too :) I hope you have the chance to visit Australia. Good luck in the drawing!
I’ve never seen A Man from Snowy River, but have been curious about it. I’ve heard that it has haunting music as a soundtrack. I’ll have to see if I can get a hold of it.
Hi Sylvia, I hope you can find the movie. I know it’s still available in Australia on DVD. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing :)
Well now you’ve got me. I love that movie especially being a Sigrid Thornton fan. I’m intrigued to check Snowgum.
Hi Ian, I love Sigrid Thornton’s portrayal of Jessica in the movie, too. Thanks for stopping by :)