Deerubbin Press - Consulting

Special Offer

In this Special Offer if you order three or more books you will be sent complimentary copies of An Entertaining Life – Memories of ‘Mr Don’, by Don Wall and The Improvers’ Legacy: Environmental Studies of the Hawkesbury, edited by Jocelyn Powell. Together these retail at $33.50.

An Entertaining Life – Memories of ‘Mr Don’, by Don Wall
Throughout his life Don Wall has loved music and entertaining. People who grew up in Hornsby Shire in the days before television will recall evenings at local venues such as churches and halls, where audiences were entertained by singers and instrumentalists. At the top of every local bill was a young man with a rich bass-baritone voice named Don Wall. Following service with the RAAF during the war Don joined the Public Service and pursued a career with the Australian Tax Office. This took him throughout NSW and provided many interesting and challenging experiences. At the same time he continued with his music; from the 1950s he was heard on the radio (in classical programmes and in the Gladys Moncrieff Show), he entertained at Sports and RSL Clubs and recorded albums with Festival Records. Later he worked in television, was engaged as an entertainer with P&O Shipping, and was house compere at Oatlands House. Following his retirement from the ATO Don has been active in local radio and lawn bowls. Belonging to the pioneer Wall family, Don has memories of Berowra, Asquith and Hornsby that stretch back to the days before the Pacific Highway was built. This book will appeal to family and local historians and to everyone with an interest in popular music. During his long life, Don has been a central part of community life and to many he remains 'The Voice of a Generation'.

The Improvers' Legacy: Environmental Studies of the Hawkesbury
This book brings together expert contributions on both natural and human-induced impacts on the environment of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River catchment and discusses future management needs so that detrimental effects can be minimised.

An overview of the impacts of 200 years of European settlement sets the context for more detailed consideration of both Aboriginal and European impacts on the landscape and biota of the region. The destructive effect of bushfires is illustrated through documentation of fire history in the Blue Mountains. The history and current impacts of extractive industries are detailed; some 16 physical and 15 biological impacts discussed. The contribution that boat wash makes to riverbank erosion is discussed in relation to a range of other factors. The establishment of national parks and reserves bordering the Hawkesbury River is documented, their natural and cultural values outlined and their management needs considered. The need for a River Authority and the steps leading to the establishment of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Trust are discussed and its effectiveness over the first few years of its existence.

This book is an important contribution to our knowledge of the environmental history of a great waterway and its hinterland and is essential reading for everyone seeking to promote a more natural and sustainable world. A must for any students of environmental management and good background reading for catchment managers, planners and other decision-makers.