Struggles around the world with the Covid19 virus have reminded us of the terrible flu epidemic that began in the final weeks of WWI. Good grief, as if there hadn’t been enough suffering! Then as now, quarantine measures were of paramount importance. There was one South Pacific
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Autumn is a busy time for the birds in our Blackheath garden. So many seeds to snack on, so many fallen leaves to scrabble about in. And I swear there are those who just know they look good against a blaze of colour. The cheeky rascal below
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STEAM POWERED PEOPLE MOVERS FOR SYDNEY We learn that the Works Department is making arrangements for the construction of a temporary tramway from the Redfern terminus to Hunter-Street, to be used by visitors to the International Exhibition. They expect to be able to get the motors from
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Evelyn Marsden (picture above) was always a spirited type. Growing up in rural South Australia at Hoyleton she became an accomplished horsewoman. She spent holidays on a farm at Murray Bridge. It was here she was taught to row on the Murray River, even fighting her way
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A THOUSAND POUNDS FOR A SHILLING! In 1920, an art union lottery was established in the Blue Mountain’s town of Katoomba, conceived and administered by Mr Edgar Booth. The object was to raise money for the improvement of the local showground. First prize was originally a £1,000
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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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Gold was discovered in the central west of New South Wales in 1893, at Wyalong. It was feared the diggings might pollute the water supply; a dam known as White Tank. Accordingly, the official town was laid out about three miles to the east. But the miners,
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BUILT ON GOLD Gold was discovered at Wyalong in 1893 and within a few years it was pronounced the most productive goldfield in the colony of New South Wales. Three miles away, West Wyalong was unplanned, growing up along a winding bullock track. It became the main
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The ‘Explorers Tree’ outside Katoomba has been the subject of debate for generations. For reasons explained further on, there is an argument that is should more properly be referred to simply as the Marked Tree. In 1813 the three men pictured above set out to cross the
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I have been revising a piece I wrote about pioneering women and their appreciation of Australia’s native flora. Not surprisingly, the Blue Mountains featured heavily. Once the first road was constructed from Sydney through to Bathurst in 1815, intrepid settlers followed. Then the iron ranges echoed To
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