Reviews & Releases
New release - review
Review – Black, White + Colour
You may not know Mervyn Bishop’s name, but you certainly know his work. He took the ultra-famous photo of Vincent Lingiari and Gough Whitlam at Wattie Creek, NT, in that defining moment when the Prime Minister of Australia poured earth into the right hand of the representative of the Gurindji people ... The biography starts with a road trip to Mervyn’s birthplace of Brewarrina ... It is absolutely charming and we get to know and - to an extent - understand Mervyn’s life and achievements.
New release - excerpt
“The Cook’s Day”
An excerpt from Michael Holding's book, "A Pointless Story" about a young shearer's cook in Cooma in the 1960's ... "3:55 a.m., No alarm clock. Just Stew’s voice booming through the hut like a gospel preacher announcing Judgement Day. “On your feet, Charlton!” There’s a special kind of pain that comes from rolling out of a warm swag into sub-zero air, dragging on yesterday’s stiff clothes, and stumbling into a kitchen where the fire is nothing but a few sulky coals."
New release
Clarence Valley military connections celebrated at book launch
Nestled within the rural confines of Northern NSW, the Clarence Valley is a long way from overseas conflicts ... more than 50 people including family members and representatives of servicemen and servicewomen, both former and current, came together at Grafton’s Schaeffer House Museum to attend the official launch of local publication A Military Connection.
New releases
City dog, country chaos
"George goes to the farm", the first children’s picture book from debut author Sinead Saint, is scheduled for release on 2 July 2025 ... a heartwarming, humorous look at the great divide between city life and the country — as told through the muddy paws of an enthusiastic groodle named George.
Review
Review – Paul Simons: His Remarkable Life on Land and Sea
Paul Simons is a genuine phenomenon. He is a charming, unassuming person, who is also a captain of industry ... this account of his life shows that when an opportunity presented itself, he had the courage and self-assurance to take it and do whatever he had to do.
New release - Racing history
Race tales paint a vivid history
The storied 150-year history of the Towong Turf Club has been encapsulated in a new book by local author, Dixie Coutts, which is to be launched on the eve of this year’s Towong Cup. ‘Towong Turf Club Tales’ tells the story of an institution that grew from races on the river flats before the turn of the 20th century to become a significant piece of the heritage of the Upper Murray.
New release - Merino history
New book celebrates the Modern Merino
Heather Fleming. A new book detailing the story of the Modern Merino sheep in Australia was launched at the Grampians Estate Cellar Door at Great Western last weekend. "Collinsville and Beyond: a pastoral history of the Modern Merino," was written by Chris Guthrie, well known breeder, classer and consultant from Rich Avon, near Donald.
Review
Review – Bush Wisdom
Jessica Howard’s Bush Wisdom brings together a collection of stories and photos of people from across rural Australia in the places they call home ... It is 240 pages of words and images that are a feast for the eyes as well as for the soul. If you live in rural Australia, so many of the images feel like home, although there is such a variety of locations that there are new landscapes to explore for everyone.
Pictorial guide
Twitchers get a good guide
A new pictorial guide to wetland birds of north-east Victoria is now available to help for people to get to know their local birdlife. There are 52 species of wetland birds featured in the guide including 14 threatened species.
New release
Prof Milburn brings local tales to life: Turning pages telling stories
In a celebration of community and creativity, Prof Milburn prepares to launch his book, capturing the heart and history of Wycheproof. After many years of diligently researching the history of Wycheproof and the district, Allan ‘Prof’ Milburn thought it was time to share all the stories from his journey.
Local history
History corner and book review
The History Society has received a copy of a book "Mining Towns and Schools in Outback NSW’, "dedicated to the men, women and children who endured tremendous social and physical hardships in outback NSW during the 1800’s and first half of the 1900’s". Author John Selwood compiled the book after a 40 year teaching career, which started at a one teacher school at Afterlee…