PROFESSOR McCOY & A CASE OF FRAUD

PROFESSOR McCOY & A CASE OF FRAUD

Professor  Frederick McCoy was a highly respected academic at Melbourne University. He resided in the suburb of Brighton.   In 1883 he received a  letter  from a friend, Colonel Mair. The Colonel  asked if it was true that McCoy’s adult son Frederick, who had been  living and

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MOLONG & THE EARL OF HARDWICKE – AN UPDATE

MOLONG & THE  EARL OF HARDWICKE - AN UPDATE

STOP PRESS- THE STORY OF  MOLONG AND THE EARL HAS ANOTHER CHAPTER….SEE END OF THIS PIECE! It’s not often a small  outback town can boast of having an Earl open  their garden fete, but that’s what happened at Molong in 1897. The man  responsible for the coup 

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JOHN WINTERBOTTOM – CONVICT TOWN CLERK

JOHN WINTERBOTTOM - CONVICT TOWN CLERK

John Winterbottom, born 1789, was a solicitor, town clerk and much respected Mayor of Stockport, Cheshire. He was also a founding partner in Stockport’s first bank. However, in 1839 he faced bankruptcy after a series of failed investments. His desperation led him to defraud a client, the

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THE KATOOMBA ART UNION AND THE ‘BABY’ ROLLS

THE KATOOMBA ART UNION AND THE 'BABY' ROLLS

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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MRS GRIGGS’ DEATH AT OMEO – CHERCHE LA FEMME!

MRS GRIGGS' DEATH AT OMEO  - CHERCHE LA FEMME!

 FOR  PART ONE OF THIS STORY, CLICK HERE. When the  Methodist minister’s young wife died unexpectedly at Omeo on January 3rd 1928, shock was quickly followed by disquiet. Locals reflected  on  (and gossiped about)  the Rev. Griggs’ ‘friendship’ with  Lotti Condon, the  pretty young daughter of  a wealthy grazier.

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AIMEE EDOLS PAYS THE PRICE

AIMEE EDOLS PAYS THE PRICE

CONTINUING THE STORY OF SYDNEY SOCIALITE AIMÉE EDOLS . CLICK HERE FOR  PART ONE   In 1932, bankrupt Sydney socialite  Aimée Edols evaded police for nearly  six months.  She had turned for help  to an old  friend, Amy Styles, from nearby Vaucluse. Mrs Styles was a widow, whose husband  had drowned

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