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This book details the history of Commodore Heights and the Lambert Peninsula, and the people associated with it from earlier times. Chapters cover the first contacts with Aboriginal people of the area, the first grants of land there, naming of the area for Commodore Rowley Lambert, RN, the proposed subdivision of the land for residential and resort purposes, acquisition of part as a reserve for public recreation, the later use by the military during World War II, the McGaw guesthouse at Flint and Steel, and the final inclusion of all the lands in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This is a fascinating story, based on careful research, and will be enjoyed by everyone who knows Ku-ring-gai National Park, and the magnificent areas of Commodore Heights, West Head, and adjacent Pittwater and Broken Bay. Soft cover, A5, v + 120, well illustrated, colour photos, notes, index.
Based on archival evidence and the authors 35 years of experience of exploring the Great North Road this book provides a detailed account of the construction of the road from Wisemans Ferry to Mt. Manning 1827-32. It covers briefly the opening up of the Hunter Valley to settlers, the need for a road connecting Sydney to the Hunter, and the subsequent exploration, surveying and planning of the Great North Road. Other chapters deal with the use of convict labour, convict life on the road, and the construction methods used. Early accounts by travellers are included and also a guide for exploring the road today. This book provides a good introduction to the more recent research carried out by the Convict Trail project and available at www.convicttrail.org.
Soft cover, A4, viii + 72 pages, illustrations, maps, appendix, references, index.
In June 1909 Lodge Hornsby, No 262, was founded by local masons. This book provides a brief outline of the history of Freemasonry in general and then follows the Lodge's development from the earliest railway-dominated days in Hornsby. The initial meetings in the School of Arts; the building of the Hornsby Masonic Temple; the expansion of membership after World Wars I and II; the near destruction by fire of the Hornsby Temple in 1971 and the building's demolition following a further fire in 1995 are all described. Fraternal visits, Anzac Day traditions, and the cooperation be tween masons and other service clubs are detailed and show that throughout their 100-year history in the Hornsby Shire, the masons have done much to support local charities and deserving causes. This history of Lodge Hornsby is a well-illustrated account of a little-known organisation that plays an important role in the local community.
Soft cover, B5, viii +56 pages, illustrations, notes, appendix, index.
Few people know that the village of Brooklyn, an hour's drive north of Sydney, has close associations with the creation of the Commonwealth. The author describes how the completion of the Hawkesbury rail bridge in 1889 was seen by many as a major step towards federation, a point strongly made by Henry Parkes at the opening ceremony. The federation convention visited Brooklyn in 1891 while drafting the constitution aboard the Lucinda, and in 1901 the Duke and Duchess of York called at Brooklyn on the royal yacht en route to Melbourne to open the first Commonwealth Parliament. In this expanded second edition the author adds further details about the construction of the bridge and covers the industrial dispute between the American employers and their Australian workers over work hours that ended in a strike. The development of the locality as a whole and of early oyster and fishing industries, and the activities of the first Progress Association are also described. Many new photographs are included. The author reveals how much of historical interest can be found in this small Hawkesbury village.
Soft cover, B5, vi +58 pages, illustrations, maps, notes, index.
Bar Island is a small uninhabited rocky outcrop at the mouth of Berowra Creek. It has a fascinating history. Visited and used by Aboriginal people for possibly thousands of years, it became the community centre for lower Hawkesbury River settlements in the latter part of the 19th century. A church, school and burial ground were present there and it was the focus of community activity for many years until the arrival of the railway caused the population to move to Brooklyn. This book brings together for the first time what is known about its history and reminds us of its outstanding heritage values. Soft cover, B5, iv +60 pages, illustrations, maps, index.
This book brings together Hornsby Shire residents' recollections of the hard times of the 1930s when the Great Depression impacted on the lives of all Australians. It outlines Federal and State government approaches to the situation and how these changed over time. It also focuses on the local community's and Hornsby Shire Council's efforts to assist those experiencing hardship by providing food, clothing and work. The camaraderie of the unemployed, their sharing of any work available, and the generosity of those somewhat better off comes through in the writing and reminds us of the strong community spirit of the times. Soft cover, B5, vi + 58 pages, illustrations, index.
The Ward family made major contributions to the social, civic and business life of Windsor for almost a century. Joseph rose from humble beginnings to become mayor of Windsor and one of its most respected citizens. His sister, Isabella, devoted 20 years to caring for Henry Lawson when the author fell on hard times. This book presents an attractive account of family life along the Hawkesbury at a time when family values and personal morality were held in higher esteem than is often the case today. Soft cover, B5, viii + 56 pages, illustrations, notes, index.
These rare early accounts of boating holidays capture the joys of exploring the Hawkesbury waterways with their impressive scenery, secluded anchorages and colourful characters, in the days when it was unknown to most Sydneysiders. Includes early yachting and motor boat cruises in Pittwater, Cowan Creek, Brisbane Water and up the Hawkesbury; a rowing holiday up the Colo River; and the diary of two young women canoeing down the Hawkesbury in 1941. Soft cover, B5, vi + 42 pages, illustrations, maps, notes.
The small Hawkesbury village of Brooklyn has been home to an astonishing number of colourful characters and incidents. The author, drawing upon oral and written records, has brought together a number of these in a whimsical but sometimes sombre volume of stories based on fact. The book provides an entertaining snapshot of the early days of life along the Lower Hawkesbury. Soft cover, B5, iv + 44 pages, illustrations, maps, sources, index.
The author, after extensive archival and field research, has compiled details of all recorded deaths and burials associated with three Lower Hawkesbury burial grounds: the Brooklyn Cemetery, the Bar Island Cemetery and Peats Ferry. This is a valuable reference work for family historians and anyone interested in the history of the Lower Hawkesbury. Soft cover, B5, 48 pages, illustrations.
In 1867 the Hawkesbury River rose nearly 20m and created an inland sea from Windsor to the Blue Mountains. Unprecedented damage and hardship resulted. In 1874 much of Windsor was destroyed in a few hours by fire. The book gives a detailed account of these two dramatic episodes and their impact on the Hawkesbury community. It is a story of destruction, heroism and resilience which has become part of the folk memory of the Hawkesbury. Soft cover, B5, x + 86 pages, 32 illustrations, maps, references, index.
'The first historical account of events that remain among the great disasters of Australian history.' Prof. Carol Liston
Winner of the 2002 Ebenezer Ward national community history prize.
Based on archival research and oral history this is an account of the Dharug people living on a reserve beside the River. It describes people's close relationship with settler families, their contribution to farm work, their prowess at cricket, and the activities of the mission. It is an important contribution to Aboriginal history and our knowledge of the Hawkesbury. Soft cover, B5, viii + 96 pages, illustrations, maps, index.
These two small semi-rural suburbs sent many of their young men to serve at the Front during the 1914-18 Great War in Europe. The author describes the part they played in the campaign at Gallipoli and in the trench warfare of the Western Front. Nothing in their life at home could have prepared them for the carnage and horrors they encountered during their period of service. The events overseas are recounted in parallel with what is happening in their home suburbs: enthusiastic recruiting drives, Red Cross meetings, the despatch of comforts to the troops, and petty squabbles about tree planting and the location of a railway crossing. As casualty lists lengthen the mood at home becomes more somber when tragedy strikes many families. The author provides an account of events replicated across Australia: of the 417,000 men sent overseas, 59,258 never returned. Soft cover, B5, vi + 96 pages, illustrations, maps, index.
Copyright 2011, Deerubbin Press