Dune is a four-letter word

Last updated on March 15th, 2026 at 04:25 pm

Book | Biography

Sprigg, G., Maclean, R., & Smith, D. (2001). Dune is a four-letter word. Wakefield Press.

Description

Dune is a Four-letter Word tells the story of Griselda and Reg Sprigg’s pioneering desert adventures – not only in the Simpson Desert but all over the vast Australian outback. Griselda’s story is also the story of Arkaroola Sanctuary, how she, with her husband, Reg, turned a drought-stricken sheep station into the magnificent flora and fauna reserve and tourist mecca it is today. ( Wakefield Press | Dune is a four-letter word)

Parts, chapters and sections

Foreword by Dick Smith ix
Editor’s Note xii
Prologue, Mercy Flight p. 13
Chapter 1 Ancient History p. 17
Chapter 2 Bound for South Australia p. 25
Chapter 3 Radium Hill p. 31
Chapter 4 Finders Keepers p. 41
Chapter 5 The Great Australian Dream p. 48
Chapter 6 Camp Followers p. 53
Chapter 7 The Talcum Touch p. 59
Chapter 8 Come Fly with Me p. 71
Chapter 9 Raring to Go p. 78
Chapter 10 Into the Simpson p. 86
Chapter 11 Eastward Ho! p. 96
Chapter 12 Desert Rendezvous p. 109
Chapter 13 Bound for Birdsville 120
Chapter 14 The Desert Crossed p. 135
Chapter 15 Southbound in Strife and Sickness p. 143
Chapter 16 And Back Again p. 147
Chapter 17 Deserts, Deserts Everywhere p. 160
Chapter 18 Akurra p. 177
Chapter 19 Crossing the Tanami p. 188
Chapter 20 The Christmas Present p. 205
Chapter 21 Praying for Rain p. 215
Chapter 22 Regeneration p. 220
Chapter 23 Keeping the Faith p. 226
Epilogue A Fine Farewell p. 239
Afterword Women of the Outback p. 248
Postscript p. 254

About the Author

Griselda was born on December 12th 1921 in Paisley, Scotland. She was second daughter of dentist Robert Findlay Paterson. Perhaps she was destined to travel, as the area where she was born is now part of Glasgow Airport. Griselda attended Glasgow High School for Girls ( “not a brilliant career”), following in the wake of her more academically inclined older sister. Click here for the full biography: (Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary | Griselda Sprigg)

About the author’s biographer

The late Rod Maclean was an author, journalist and television reporter. Rod wrote the Aussie novel Eric and Ian Get a Life and a biography of Griselda Sprigg, an outback pioneer, Dune Is a Four-letter Word. He recorded the last year of his life in the memoir Wallaby. (Wakefield Press | Dune is a four-letter word)

Where to find

The South Australian public library network holds multiple copies. Although not within Alexandrina libraries, it is available as an inter-library loan: See Source at Libraries SA.

Where to buy

Dune is a Four-Letter Word is available through the publishing house, local bookstores, and online resellers.

Additional information

Doug Sprigg Interview Arkaroola

This 30 minute video provides complementary information to Griselda’s book. In it Doug, Griselda’s son, sheds light on the geological purpose of the trips through the Simpson Desert discussed in the book. Since the passing of Griselda in 2003, Doug and his wife run the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, continuing the business and conservation work both Reg and Griselda had envisioned.

The Ediacaran Man

‘The Ediacaran Man’ Documentary – Trailer is a 9 minute video which provides details about the life and times of the Reg Spriggs.

References

Ediacaran Productions 2013, ‘The Ediacaran Man’ Documentary – Trailer, viewed on 13 March, 2026, https://youtu.be/NVKog5dVf-8?si=iJr4uXEu-v0syb7b. This 9 minute video provides details about the life and times of the Spriggs.
The White Ox Overland 2023, Doug Sprigg Interview Arkaroola, viewed on 12 March, 2026, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbShhzpP6L4. This 30 minute video provides complementary information to Griselda’s book.
WorldCat 2026, Dune is a four-letter word, viewed on 12 March, 2026, https://search.worldcat.org/title/50285501. This WorldCat search yields the print book reference for Dune is a four-letter word by Griselda Sprigg