My Articles

GOVERNOR FITZROY’S HIGH STRUNG HORSES

GOVERNOR FITZROY'S HIGH STRUNG HORSES

Governor Charles FitzRoy’s ‘First Lady’ following the death of his wife in 1847 was his daughter Mary, Mrs Keith Stewart. Lady FitzRoy had died in a carriage accident, and Mary almost met the same fate. The incident occurred while she was being driven through the streets of

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PUDDING & PIES AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE

PUDDING & PIES AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE

The original Parliament House in Canberra was opened by the Duke and Duchess of York on May 9, 1927. The luncheon menu appeared in the papers. Turtle soup would be frowned on nowadays, but I thought Canberra pudding was a creative touch. CANBERRA PUDDING The following recipe

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THE BENNETT FAMILY; A STORY OF FRIENDSHIP

THE BENNETT FAMILY; A STORY OF FRIENDSHIP

Inside Parramatta Gaol, where Esther Bennett visited George Harris.

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NELLIE MELBA AND A ROYAL CAKE

NELLIE MELBA AND A ROYAL  CAKE

In 1928 the Australian government decided to present a Christmas cake to the Duke and Duchess of York. The main objective was to promote the nation’s agricultural products, the culmination of a year long initiative. All the ingredients used in the cake were produced in this country.

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THE ROTOFRIG; AUSSIE INGENUITY AT ITS BEST

THE ROTOFRIG; AUSSIE INGENUITY AT ITS BEST

The Rotofrig.

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PARRAMATTA GAOL GOVERNOR VANISHES

PARRAMATTA GAOL GOVERNOR VANISHES

Parramatta Gaol has a history dating back to 1798, when the first building was described as, ‘a strong, logged gaol of 100 feet in length, with separate cells for the prisoners…and paled around with very high fences.’ By the early twentieth century it looked very different. James

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MARY DRUMMOND’S SECOND CHANCE

MARY DRUMMOND'S SECOND CHANCE

My original story of Sydney born Mary Drummond (nee Gallagher) was a sad one (*there is a link to it at the end of this piece). The doctor she married in May 1887 turned out to be a complete charlatan. He had stolen another man’s medical diplomas

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THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. DRUMMOND – PART ONE

THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. DRUMMOND - PART ONE

Dr Edward Drummond had undertaken his medical training in Edinburgh, and spent time in England and Italy. His entry in the 1886 Australian Medical Directory read ‘Formerly Physician Scots. Coll, Rome, Sidmouth Dispensary etc. ‘ He had recently arrived in Sydney from South Africa and was initially

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STEPS IN MAKING AN ENTRANCE

STEPS IN MAKING AN ENTRANCE

Steps almost complete.

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WAKOOL, AND THE DEATH OF HAZEL HOOD

WAKOOL, AND  THE DEATH OF HAZEL HOOD

On November 8 1916 a fund-raising day was held at tiny Wakool, in the Riverina region of New South Wales. The day’s events were of particular significance to Frank and Annie White, who ran the Wakool Hotel. A few days earlier word had arrived of their son,

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