The story of Les Worrell is one of those cases of human nature that defy understanding. Leslie Clive Worrell was from Baradine Creek, Coonamble, NSW. He was the eldest son of Lewis and Charlotte Worrell, highly respected graziers on a property called Melrose. His 21st birthday party
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From 1905 until 1916, George Harris was identified as Prisoner 57 in Parramatta gaol. He would die in France in 1918 as Private 634. Between the two numbers is an extraordinary story, some of which has been told elsewhere on this site. By the time George was
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Max Meldrum (1875-1955), was a Melbourne artist whose portraits won the Archibald Prize on two occasions. Meldrum established the Australian art movement that became known as ‘tonalism‘, in which light and shade were deemed to be as important as colour itself. This article is about a very
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The Blue Mountains town of Blackheath has always attracted visitors during the festive season. The following report appeared in the Lithgow Mercury, dated January 6 1899; BLACKHEATH – According to reports from different towns the railway traffic to the Mountains this Christmas and New Year has largely
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The Park Avenue entrance gates to Blackheath’s Memorial Park were funded by public subscription. They were officially opened on May 18 1938, by Minister for Works and Local Government Mr Eric Spooner. The project commemorated the reign of King George V (1910-1936). 300 people turned up
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A BRIEF RECAP. In 1912, highly respected Dr John Stewart shocked everyone by deserting his wife and family in Perth, W.A. He bought a practice in Bangalow, N.S.W. and for two and a half years lived there quietly with his mistress, Muriel Meallin. Muriel was known to
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On May 30 1912, The Northern Star newspaper announced that Dr Bracken of Bangalow had sold his practice to Scottish born Dr J.M.Y Stewart, late of Sydney and Melbourne. Dr and Mrs Stewart moved into the departing Dr Bracken’s old home. The couple settled in and were
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My interest in John Brush saddles began when Brendan Morris found a rare survivor on his farm in New South Wales. He posted some photos in The Australian Social History Facebook Group. John Brush established a saddlery and harness store in Sydney in 1840. It was during
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In August 1915 a function was held in the small, rural village of North Motton, in North West Tasmania. Local people were saying goodbye to seven young men from the district who were leaving to fight in WWI. After the speeches one fellow stepped forward; ‘Mr A.L.
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Susan Stephens from Lapstone in the Blue Mountains treasures a hand knitted jumper brought home from WWI by her grandfather, Hedley Stephens. Fighting in France in May 1916, Corporal Stephens went ‘over the top’ with a senior officer to check on their men. The pair were severely
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