My Articles

BRUCE HIGGS – THE UNTOLD STORY

BRUCE HIGGS - THE UNTOLD STORY

This is the third episode in  the Higgs brothers saga. Each part has to stand alone, so apologies for repeating some information. If you want to read the original story click on the following link. Murder in the Blue Mountains. Bruce Doubleday Higgs was a Sydney underworld

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William Guy Higgs – Spoiled Larrikin or Callous Criminal?

William Guy Higgs -  Spoiled Larrikin or Callous Criminal?

On September 9 1922, twenty one year old  William Guy Higgs married Helena Potter in a society wedding at Hunters Hill. The couple honeymooned in the beautiful Blue mountains. The  groom was the fourth born of seven sons, and chose his older brother Hubert as best man.

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MURDER IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

MURDER IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS

Forty eight year old Ronald Lachlan Leslie was a wealthy, retired  grazier living in the Sydney suburb of Manly.  He was a happily married family man with two young children. On Wednesday,  October 12 1927  he set out  to drive  to  the central western town of Forbes,

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WRITING MY WAY AROUND BLACKHEATH

WRITING MY WAY AROUND BLACKHEATH

I was recently criticized by a couple of people on our community page for only ordering a bowl of chips for lunch in the New Ivanhoe pub. Oh dear, I feel I can never order my rare and special treat again.😪 I thought it might be a

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RONALD ALLEN; MISSING AT POZIERES

RONALD ALLEN; MISSING AT POZIERES

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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BLACKHEATH GROWERS’ MARKET

BLACKHEATH GROWERS' MARKET

      What a joy the busy  Blackheath Growers’ Market is. Mind you, I’m glad I can walk up there. These days  people have to park their cars  almost down to my own house near the duck pond.   It’s held on the second Sunday of

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UP A GUM TREE; THE MOUNT RIVERVIEW LOOK-OUT

UP A GUM TREE; THE MOUNT RIVERVIEW LOOK-OUT

The Cummins family were pioneers of Blaxland, in the lower Blue Mountains of NSW.  Bernard Cummins bought land nearby and called his property Mount Riverview. Its far-reaching views across the Nepean and Hawkesbury rivers to Sydney  gave him an idea. He constructed a wooden stairway to the

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BLUE MOUNTAINS VILLAGES – HISTORY AND HUMOUR

BLUE MOUNTAINS VILLAGES - HISTORY AND HUMOUR

This piece began as a short, selective list of Blue Mountains villages. However, owing to the demands from residents of those left out it became somewhat longer. 😎 OK, HERE WE GO… I am cheating and listing the towns and villages  of the Blue Mountains alphabetically rather

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IODINE DEFICIENCY = NIGHTMARE NECKS!

IODINE DEFICIENCY = NIGHTMARE NECKS!

Broadcaster Simon Marnie got into a bit of strife when advocating ’boutique’ salts on ABC morning radio. His rather cavalier dismissal of thyroid issues due to un-iodised salt resulted in dozens of protesting texts and a call from a health expert. When I was attending the Ulverstone 

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GNOME MATTER WHERE I ROAM!

GNOME MATTER WHERE I ROAM!

One day  Editor Des and I were walking the famous Thames Path near London (as one does) when we stumbled upon the tiniest gnome in the universe. He was standing on a pile of golden sovereigns at Putney.   I’m afraid Editor Des  quickly scoffed the coins,

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