Abstract: Barbara Baynton was one of the most important women writers who were active at the turn of the 20^th century, when Henry Lawson and "Benjo" Paterson's robust nationalism were more dominating voices.Baynton's, which was definitely a feminine one, was a dissident voice.The present work aims to discuss the theme of motherhood in her only novel, Human Toll, to explore Baynton's effort in subverting the prevailing self-confident bush mythology which was best represented by the idea of "mateship".