Everlastings

Annie so often described her life as ‘fearful’ and yet it is evident that she enjoyed a remarkable first success as a flower hunter and later an astonishing development as a ‘would be naturalist.’ With determination and persistence, she became one of the most prolific flower collectors for two scientific gentlemen – Baron von Mueller of Melbourne and Professor Tate of The University of Adelaide. Living in a lonely and isolated part of South Australia, she became, by chance, a trailblazer for what would eventually be called the ‘New Woman’.

This too is a tragic story of neglect and hardship; it dogged her desire to be a Victorian ‘lady’ and to be recognised as one of the famous flower hunters of the nineteenth century. Despite all her difficulties and disappointments she was to collect plant specimens for 20 years. Neglected and forgotten, Annie Richards was to triumph in most surprising ways. This account reveals her rightful place in the pantheon of Victorian women who broke the expected role of subservience. Annie’s life, 1845-1930, brings into sharp focus the plight of contemporary women who were bold and fearless, but unfulfilled intellectually.

Roger Cross has written this story out of a deep love of the Australian bush, especially the much maligned Mallee of Southern Australia. It was in the Mallee that Annie found herself and achieved so much. He feels saddened by the neglect shown to her by Baron von Mueller and is thankful to Professor Ralph Tate for recognising her worth, rescuing her dignity and her self-esteem.