Mary Grant Bruce

Mary Grant Bruce (24 May 1878 – 2 July 1958) is one of Australia's most famous children's authors. The 38 books and 300 short stories published in her lifetime enjoyed popular success in Australia and overseas.

She is most famous for the Billabong series of 15 books, which centre on the adventures of the Linton family of Billabong Station in Victoria, Australia. The first Billabong book, which is her best-seller, is A Little Bush Maid. It's heroine is Norah Linton, who has been the role model of generations of Australian girls.

Mary Grant Bruce's books are very much for boys as well as girls. Norah's brother, Jim Linton, and his friend Wally Meadows, also feature in just about every Billabong book. In Wings Above Billabong, the central character is 11-year-old Bill Blake.

Another story, Golden Fiddles, has been adapted to a telemovie and broadcast in over 150 countries.

Strong family values, good humour and adventure with Australian perspectives abound in Mary Grant Bruce's stories.