The LOCAL HISTORY site
Tasmania, Australia
Books
and
articles
Books for Sale
DOING TIME, Stories of Convict Clock and Watchmakers in Van Diemen's Land
When Van Diemen’s Land officially became Tasmania in 1856 it is estimated that nearly 200 clock and watchmakers had resided in the colony.
More than 150 were convicts, transported from Britain to relieve pressure on overcrowded prisons.
Some succumbed to the brutality of life in a penal settlement and only a few would work in their trade.
$30
Available from Petrarch's Bookshop, The Book Cellar in Campbell Town, Hobart Bookshop, the QVM shop or the author.
Duck Reach Launceston’s Electric Light, MARVELS OF THE CATARACT, is a tribute to those who made Launceston a pioneer in renewable energy and recognises the people and organisations working to preserve important and popular parts of Launceston and celebrates many significant engineering achievements that have influenced the city and Northern Tasmania. Available from Queen Victoria Museum Shops and Petrarch's Bookshop.The book is priced at
$40
plus $12 posted to anywhere in Australia.
A WOMAN OF CHARITY: The Winifred Daphne Booth Story
It was Winifred Daphne Booth’s dying wish that her considerable estate should be used to help as many people as possible. Since it was established in 2001 the W. D. Booth Charitable Trust has distributed nearly $6 million to community groups and worthy causes in Tasmania. This is the story of the woman behind a wonderful legacy and her remarkable life.
Available from bookshops or the author (please send an email) $25
$30 posted to addresses within Australia
The OUTCOME of ENTERPRISE: Launceston's Waverley Woollen Mills
In 1874 an expatriate Scot named Peter Bulman claimed a £1000 Government bonus for producing the first woollen goods in Tasmania made from Tasmanian wool at his new Waverley mill on the banks of Distillery Creek. Bulman’s legacy of enterprise lasted more than a century and helped make textile manufacturing a major industry in Launceston.
$30 posted to addresses within Australia
HOLYMAN'S OF BASS STRAIT: Shipping and Aviation Pioneers of Australia
The White Star flag of Wm. Holyman and Sons flew proudly from mastheads and flagpoles across Australia and overseas for more than a century. This book traces the Holyman story from 21-year-old English seaman William Holyman who jumped ship in Van Diemen’s Land in 1854 to the huge shipping and aviation businesses built by his sons and grandsons.
Sold Out
Maybe a few left at Tasmanian Bookshops (click for list)
DUCK REACH AND LAUNCESTON'S ELECTRIC LIGHT
The Duck Reach Power Station was built by the Launceston Municipal Council and generated hydro-electricity almost continuously for 60 years – from 1895 to 1955. It was the first publicly-owned hydro-electric power station in Australia and one of the earliest in the world.
Published by Christopher (Gus) Green OAM. NOW OUT OF PRINT.
CRUEL WIND: Business Post Naiad and the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Disaster
Robert Matthews was at the helm of Tasmanian yacht Business Post Naiad both times it capsized in the 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race, the second time killing two of his crewmates. A decade after the disastrous race he tells his story in the book Cruel Wind.
Published by ROBERT MATTHEWS
Available from the authors
$35 posted to addresses within Australia
The Australian Three Peaks Race – The First 20 Years
The Australian Three Peaks Race was one of the country’s toughest endurance events and in 2008 celebrated its 20th anniversary. A huge fleet of local, interstate and international competitors entered the race. To celebrate this unique event the organisers commissioned the production of a history of the race. It has been produced by photographer Paul Scambler and journalist Julian Burgess.
Pulbished by and available from the AUSTRALIAN THREE PEAKS RACE COMMITTEE
HOME OF PEACE, The Eskleigh Story
Tasmania’s first disability service provider, the Eskleigh Foundation, was established in November 1943, when Australia was at war, by a small group of people committed to creating a home for the care of people with incurable ailments. It was the idea of the Reverend Thomas Churchward Kelly, a recently returned Baptist foreign missionary.
Available from Petrarch's Bookshop, Eskleigh and the author
$35 posted to addresses within Australia
WILLIAM GOW'S ANZAC DIARY: Serving with the 3rd Field Ambulance at Gallipoli
In August 1914 Bill Gow was among the first Tasmanians to answer the call of King and Empire for the war against Germany. As a member of the 3rd Field Ambulance he was trained in tending the sick and wounded in battlefield hospitals.
Published by LAUNCESTON LEGACY
Available from the author
$25 posted to addresses within Australia
THE TAMAR YACHT CLUB: A History of Sailing in Launceston Tasmania from 1837
Based on the country’s longest navigable estuary, the Tamar Yacht Club has its origins in the convict days of Van Diemen’s Land. From river racers and dinghy sailors to solo circumnavigators, its members have made their mark on Australian yachting over the past 180 years. Available from the Tamar Yacht Club, Tamar Marine, the Hobart Bookshop, Petrarchs Bookshop and the author
$55 posted to addresses within Australia
His Own Man: The Cecil Burgess Story
Cecil Burgess led a remarkable life. He was born in Launceston, Tasmania, in 1914 into a devout Catholic family. His father was the city health inspector and superintendent of the Launceston Abattoir. He was good at sport, an excellent scholar and accomplished public speaker. During World War II he was an RAAF navigator and served in Bomber Command in England where he completed 35 bombing missions and continued his accountancy studies. He was an accountant, orchardist, business owner and company secretary. He lived and worked in Launceston, on Thursday Island, in Cairns and Southport in Queensland.