SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council Libraries continue their author visit program with the fascinating story of Thea Hayes, a city girl who became an outback nurse in the 1960s.

Principal librarian Samantha Shelbourn said author Thea Hayes is coming to the Southern Downs and will read part of her story An Outback Nurse as well as signing books at Stanthorpe, Allora and Warwick libraries.

Ms Shelbourn said Ms Hayes' story combines her personal story with some milestone events in Australia's history.

"Thea Hayes trained as a nurse in Sydney in 1959," she said. "A year later she was catapulted out of the safety of her city life into the unknown world of the Outback.

"Thea knew nothing of the place she was soon to call home, Wave Hill Station in the Northern Territory, the second largest property in the world under one management. It covered four million acres."

In 'An Outback Nurse' Thea explains that she was a 'real city girl' and made a very hasty decision to take the job of nurse, hostess and housekeeper at Wave Hill.

"And then in the mid-sixties the famous walkout by the Aboriginal stockmen provided the springboard for what was to become a long and sometimes bitter campaign for Land Rights," Ms Shelbourn said.

"Thea met her future husband and raised four children. She describes the outback as an obsession and the story of her time there was burning to be released.

"We look forward to Thea telling her story of overcoming the odds to find her place in the world. It's a story of falling in love with the land and finding love on the land....a story that many will relate to on the Southern Downs," she said.

If you would like more information or to book a place phone 4681 2141.

AUTHOR VISIT

When: Stanthorpe Library - March 12 at 10.30am.

Allora Library - March 18 at 10am.

Warwick Library March 25 at 10.30am

Information: 4681 2141