Roger Brown dropped me a note this afternoon with these lovely photos of a beautiful girl in a byegone era.

Roger's filled me in on Wendy's early life - no school, no neighbours, no parks and playgrounds, just the family's huge farm on the Nullabor where everyone was expected to pitch in and do their bit.

Wendy's wonderful turn of phrase and beautiful artworks don't seem to have been diminished by her lack of early schooling.   She really was the embodiment of that indomitable Australian pioneer spirit - self-sufficient, self-taught, no-nonsense and her word was her bond.

We need more role models like Wendy.   If we had more people like her influencing the national character we'd have much less tolerance for the jellyfish, wimps and carpet-baggers who fill our political leadership ranks.

Rest in Peace Wendy, God love ya!