Deerubbin Press - News & Views

New Books

The following publication is one of a series of historical works that celebrate the Centenary of the Hornsby Shire Council 1906 - 2006. They are published by Deerubbin Press in association with Hornsby Shire Council and are available at all Council libraries as well as from Deerubbin Press and local bookshops.

1906 The Birth of Hornsby Shire by Tom Richmond

Hornsby Shire Council began life in 1906 with six councillors appointed by the government. This book outlines the processes leading up to this event and describes the scattered settlements that were to become the responsibility of the Council. Many local activities such as bazaars, sports, dances and amateur dramatics served to identify potential community leaders and prepared the way for local government by bringing people together. The author describes the work of the first Council, the character of the councillors and the manner in which unfamiliar responsibilities were discharged with only a tiny budget. This little-known story is brought to life with the author's characteristic humour and mastery of local historical details.

Tom Richmond OAM is a resident of Brooklyn and a descendant of one of the pioneer settlers. A well-known local historian, he is the author of four books on aspects of the Shire's past. A former Principal of Ku-ring-gai High School and Evans High School, he maintains a life-long enthusiasm for cricket and is a patron of the Northern Metropolitan Cricket Council.

Personal and family names mentioned in the text include:
Baker, E., Joe; Bancks, Jim; Beaumont, J.; Best, H.A.; Bevan, W.E., Walter; Black, Edwin, Frederick; Bligh, Neil; Bowes, Rev. J.; Boyles, John; Brand, Alice; Brigg, H.A.; Brodrick, Mrs; Brotchie, Rev. J.A.; Brown, Maurice, Frederick William; Butler, R.; Campbell, John; Carpenter, J.; Carr, Ethel; Cassell, John; Cheeseman, A.; Cherry, Will; Chorley, William; Clarke, Mr; Clay, Dr; Cole, Sydney; Collins, A.; Cook, Mr; Crandon, W.; Crossling, John; Dence, J.S.; Dime, Mr; Doyle, Constable Robert; Duffel, Isaac; Edwards, J.; Fagan, Samuel; Farr,W.A.; Fitzgerald, E.; Fordyce, W.J.; Forrest, Mr; Gable, Mr; Garrard, Jacob; Geelan, Samuel; Gillis, Mr; Glynn, Mr; Golledge, Anne; Griffin, William; Griffiths, F.K; Hadfield, W.; Harrison, Clifton; Harvey, Elisha; Hayes, Arthur, Walter; Heffeman, H.F.; Henry, B.; Hewitt, Miss, Mrs; Higgins, Mr; Hincksman, Mr; Hockley, John; Hordem, AJ.; Hunt, J.C., Kenneth; Hutchison, Alexander; Izzard, Joseph; King, W.W.; Lamont, M.; Landro, Frank de; Langley, Archdeacon; Latta, J.; Lenehan, C.H.; Lumby, George; Lutherborrow, Sarah; Mackie, Mr; Madeley, H.C.; Maidment, V.; Mansell, Mrs, Walter; McDonald, Constable; McKenzic, Mrs; Meggs, Ginger; Miners, J.; Mobbs, Mary Ann; Moore, A.; Samuel; Morris, G.P.; Munro, Mr; Nicholas, David; Nixon, W.M.; O'Connor, Broughton B.; Peake, Edith; Pemberton, Matthew; Pettet, Albert Gordon; Pobje, Mr; Pollard, Thomas, William; Pollock, H.; Poole, Mrs; Poulton, J.; Powell, Mr; Pulbrook, A., J.A.; Rhodes, Mr; Roberts, O.G., Reginald; Robertson, L.; Robinson, F.H.; Rodick, John; Ross, James, Sergeant; Ruddock, Max; Philip; Sanday, Joseph; Sawyer, Mr; Scott, George, Mr; Sherring, E.G.; Shields, E., M.; Slingsby, Mr; Smith, G., Harry, J.M., Jack, Peter, Rev. S.E.Langford; Somerville, James; Spong, T.N.; Stanton, Thomas; Starling, J.; Stenteford, Mr; Sutton, John; Swain, Mr; Teague, B.; Thacker, F.W.; Thomas, F.; Thompson, Thomas; Trumper, Victor; Tucker, C.C., D.; Tully, J.; Turner, Mr; Tye, John; Unwin, G.P.; Waddell, F., John Jackson; Wade, C.G.; Mrs; Walker, R.J.D.; Warren, Anne; Watts, E.W.; Welsh, Arthur; Whittel, H.R.; Williams, Charles; Woolley, Basil; Young, Rev. J.

Other New Books

Lost Wild Rivers by Joan Morison

The Lachlan, Nepean, Shoalhaven, Snowy, Warragamba and Wollondilly are some of the rivers that feature in this reminder of what we have lost as a result of damming and polluting so many of our waterways. The author draws upon her own experiences to recall the pleasures and challenges of canoeing the wild rivers of New South Wales before they were 'tamed' and despoiled: skilfully shooting rapids, camping amidst spectacular scenery, swimming in crystal clear waters, and sharing the day's adventures with fellow paddlers around the campfire in the evening under the stars. These recollections are supplemented with stories by other enthusiasts and liberally illustrated with photographs from the author's extensive archive. Sadly, only a handful of the pioneers of canoeing in New South Wales are still with us but this book captures their experiences in a way that will appeal to anyone who has ever paddled a canoe or kayak.

Joan Morison OAM has been canoeing for some 60 years and still enjoys wielding her paddle in the annual Hawkesbury Classic.

Guide to the Historic Trigonometrical Stations of Sydney's North by Tony Dawson

In the late 19th century more than 80 trigonometrical stations were erected on prominent features throughout Sydney's north. This book describes the events surrounding the establishment and use of these stations and also provides a comprehensive guide for anyone wishing to visit them today. The original stations were unique structures easily recognisable from a considerable distance. While the past 120 years has seen many lost to urban development or superceded by more modern replacements, a significant number, mainly located in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, have survived more or less intact and thus provide an opportunity to view them and appreciate the work of the men who established and used them. Tony Dawson has a keen interest in the history of surveying and is the author of a work on Surveyor James Meehan. This new book provides a valuable resource for bushwalkers, students and local residents.

Tony Dawson is a retired scientist who lives in Newport, close to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. An earlier book on surveying history, entitled James Meehan - a most excellent surveyor, was well received when published in 2004.

Trig stations mentioned include:
Addison, Allison, Arden, Arthur, Bairne, Bangalley, Bantry, Barbara, Bare, Barrenjoey, Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Bates, Beaumont, Belrose, Berowra, Bobbin, Boundary, Bradleys, Brown, Bushranger, Carrol, Carvossa, Castlecrag, Cliff, Cole, Cook, Cowan, DeeWhy, Djarra, Dobroyd Point, Duffy, Edith, Edwards, Eliza, Ellis, Ethel, Euro, Eva, Evelyn, French, Gordon, Gore, Gundah, Gunson, Hamley, Harnett, Harvey, Hecla, Hungry, Ida, Jacomb, Johnson, Jones, Lix, Lloyd, Long, Long Reef, Lucy, Macintosh, Maggie, Manly, McCarr, McComb, McCowen, Middle Cove, Middle Harbour, Millicent, Mole, Narrabeen, North, Northbridge, Obelisk, Peate, Pittwater, Poppy, Powell, Quarantine, Ramsay, Roach, Robertsons, Ryland, Sandy, Smart, Soutar, Taber, Terrey, Thorn, Topham, Turimetta, Vize,Wallaroo, Waller, Want, Waratah, Wheeler, White, Wilkins, Willunga, Wright,Yatala.

Personal and family names mentioned in the text include:
Adams, Philip Francis, Baker, Gilbert, Ball, Henry Lidgbird, Barallier, Francis, Barney, George, Bate, Samuel Charles, Battye, James Sykes, Bradley, Charles Conroy, Brooks, James, Brooks, Joseph, Bruin, Thomas, Burdett, Abraham, Burdett, Caroline, Burdett, Caroline Mary, Burdett, Frank Langham, Burdett, Irene, Burdett, Rosa Minter, Burdett, Vivian, Caley, George, Campbell, Robert (Jr), Campbell, William Dugald, Cheers, Richard, Chisholm, Alec, Clarke, Andrew, Cole, James, Conder, William Jacomb, Conduit, James, Copeland, Henry, Cossar, William, Dalgety, Samuel Gonnerman, Davidson, Walker Rannie, Deering, John William, Drake, James, Charles, Du Faur, Augusta, Du Faur, Blanche Mary Elizabeth, Du Faur, Eccleston Frederic, Duffy, Patrick, Elliott, Philip, Evans, Robert, Everest, George, Fidden, Joseph, Florance, Thomas, Fowell, Newton Henry, Garrard, Jacob, Ghest, Robert Chevin, Gledhill, Percy, Gore, William, Govett, William Romaine, Grant, James, Grimes, Charles, Hall, Alfred Francis, Hawkins, John S, Healy, James, Heydon, Joseph Kentigern, Higgins, Thomas, Hills, Samuel, Hollis, Robert, Hyndes, Thomas, Innes, Mr Justice, Izard, Joseph, Jackson, Ralph Gordon, Jenkins, James, Johnson, Charles, Johnston, George, Keltie, James, Knibbs, George Handley, Lambton, William, Larmer, James, Larmer, Maude, Lawson, William, Lix, Gustave Adolphe, Lucas, John Hector, Macarthur, John, Maclellan, Archibald, Mair, Alexander, Mathew, Daniel Dering, Mathew, Felton, Mathews, Hamilton Bartlett, Mcllwraith, Thomas, McNally, James, Meehan, James, Miller, John, Milson, Richard, Mitchell, Thomas Livingston, Mulhall, George, Muntz, George Frederick, Murphy, C, Neil, J, Nicholls, Isaac, Nutt, Thomas Henry, Oliver, William, Oxley, John, Panin, Ivan, Pearce, Aaron, Pell, Morris Birbeck, Porter, Richard, Ramsay, James, Reading, Edward, Ross, James, Shone, William, Skinner, John, Smalley, George Robarts, Steele, Thomas, Stokes, Sydney William, Stoyles, Martha Rachael, Swannell, Catherine, Swannell, Eveline Ellen, Swannell, Frederick Edward, Swannell, George, Swannell, George Thomas, Swannell, Sarah, Swannell, Thomas Charles, Swannell, Walter, Tanner, Elizabeth Ann, Taylor, Alan, Taylor, Edward Henry, Terrey, James, Terrey, Obadiah, Thompson, Andrew, Thrupp, Alfred, Twynam, Edward, von Bieren, Carl, Walton, William John, Watson, Tom, Wentworth, D'Arcy, Whitaker, Charles S, White, George Boyle, White, John, Wood, George, Woolrych, Francis Bensen William, Worgan, George Bouchier.