The Sawmiller’s Daughter, by Sarah Smith

Margeret “Mags” McClement grew up amid sawdust and the harsh rhythms of the Australian bush, struggling under a mother who saw her as a “bad seed.” In the remote Eastern Dorrigo plateau, the sawmill became both refuge and proving ground, where Mags learned resilience from her devoted father and the watchful care of Old Natty.

As the Great Depression and World War shaped her world, Mags transformed ambition into action, mastering the Canadian saw and dreaming of building her own timber enterprise. Along the way, she confronted bitter rivalries, devastating losses, and family secrets that threatened everything she had worked for.

The Sawmiller’s Daughter is a sweeping saga of grit, loyalty, and determination. It tells the story of a woman who carved a place for herself in a man’s world, built a lasting legacy in Australia’s timber industry, and ensured that her family—and their mill—would endure for generations to come.