Publisher's Synopsis
Never Tell Me I Can't is a high-spirited, inspiring account of an extraordinary life of world travel and unique experiences, culminating in the creation of a beautiful universe in a wheel of cheese.
Born in Nelson, New Zealand, Gabrielle grew up on four continents, following the postings of her Kiwi father, a war hero who later became a major general in the British Army. Her international adventures continued when she married a French engineer servicing offshore oilfields.
Settling down in Western Australia, she realised her dream of raising her children on a farm. She learned traditional cheesemaking in France, adapted her know-how to Australian conditions and began a successful career, twice winning the best overall Australian cheese award. Kervella Cheese continues in Golden Bay, New Zealand, where Gabrielle and her partner, master cheesemaker Alan Cockman, handcraft their own unique cheese with cow's milk from their neighbours' regenerative farm.
Through all of Gabrielle's stories runs a strong, bright thread of joie de vivre and determination to overcome challenges and make the most of life. Decades of immersion in a multitude of countries, languages and cultures gifted her with an expanded perspective, a knack for solving problems and the courage to make bold decisions, adapt and do things her own way.
Gabrielle's enterprising spirit shines through everything she does. Whenever the world tells her she cannot, she simply says, "I can."
