In 1915, the second year of the Great War, Mabel Marryat - granddaughter of South Australia’s first colonial chaplain Charles Howard - joined the newly formed League of Loyal Women. Mabel was active in the League’s emergency corps, ‘women who are prepared to give their service in any need that may arise’. It wasn’t long before Mabel was appointed Honorary Supervisor of the Red Cross Depot at the Keswick Military Hospital: No. 7 AGH. After the war, the hospital was renamed RGH Keswick. Here Mabel stayed for 30 years.

This book gives voice to the women of South Australia’s first 110 years of European settlement and opportunity to reflect on the changing position of women in society. But the spotlight shines on Mabel. Her long and devoted community service - particularly to her ‘Diggers’ - was extraordinary.

This story is for the women of Australia - women just like Mabel - who, quietly, do the extraordinary.