A New Melba

Jeff Brownrigg, Crossing Press, Darlinghurst, 2006.

When Melba was at the zenith of her career and travelling internationally, Amy Castles a simple girl with a rich powerful voice was vigorously promoted as the person most likely to succeed the diva. Touted as 'the New Melba' she was promoted by the Catholic Church and the Catholic Press built for her an image of the virginal convent girl in vivid contrast to the worldy scarlet they attributed to Melba. Non-Catholic papers doubted their boasts turning an artistic question into a sectarian free-for-all as it exposed Australia's cultural insecurities and condemned Amy to a life of tragically futile efforts to displace Melba.

Soft cover, 281 pages, 27.5 X 21.5 cm, liberally Illustrated, black and white and colour.

$20.00 plus $14.00 postage.

A Slice of Tipperary; A story of Boorowa NSW Catholic Community

Fr Brian Maher, self published, 2016.

The final publication in Fr Maher's series of parish histories in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. Growing up in the Boorowa area he was aware of the Irish connections from an early age.Later in life he actively pursued his interest in history and carried out extensive research in Australia and Ireland. The publication covers early local history, the erection of the churches, the clergy and education as well as some of those who influenced the establishment of the Catholic church in this rural community.

Soft cover, 39 pages, 30 X 21 cm, liberally Illustrated in full colour.

$15.00 plus $5.00 postage.

Betty of Yass - 'Getting Around with Betty Howard since 1913'

Tony MacQuillan (edit), Privately published, 2006.

The life and times of Betty Howard, journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Women's Weekly and the Yass Tribune-Courier.

Soft cover, 93 pages, 30 X 21 cm, liberally Illustrated.

$15.00 plus $9.00 postage.

Editor of the publication Tony MacQuillan has made a pdf copy available. This can be purchased for $10.00 by emailing yassarchives@gmail.com

Boorowa: over 160 years of White Settlement

Helen V Lloyd, Toveloam Pty Ltd, Panania, 1990.

What began as research on the author's own family grew into a general history of the Boorowa district covering themes ranging from the Aboriginal occupation of the land and the early squatting period through the commercial and civil development of the town to its involvement in wars and the lighter side of small town life. It is a colourful history with more than a tinge of 'green', influenced by the influx of nineteenth century Irish immigrants who settled in the area.

Hard cover, 324 pages, 25 x 17.5 cm, illustrated, indexes, references, bibliography.

$35.00 plus $14.00 postage.

Cavan Station: Its early history, the Riley legacy and the Murdock vision

Nicola Crichton-Brown, Harper Collins, Sydney, 2019.

In a narractive that encompasses not only the Rileys at Cavan, but also the rich variety of its other significant occupants and neighbours in the district - including James Calvert, Louisa Atkinson, Samuel Terry and Hamilton Hume. The author takes us on a journey that brings to life the astonishing rise of the Austalian wool industry and the contribution it owes to some remarkable individuals.

Hard bound, 231 pages, 26.5 X 24.0 cm, colour, endnotes.

$50.00 plus $14.00 postage

Echoes of Irish Australia: Rebellion to Republic

Jeff Brownrigg, Cheryl Mongan & Richard Reid (eds), Galong, 2007.

The Irish have been at the centre of the Australian story since 1788. This collection of twenty-three essays illustrates the diversity and dynamism of the Irish contribution to Australia's national life from colonial beginnings to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Australia in the mid-twentieth century. Subjects such as rebels, convicts, immigration, war, religion, politics, poetry, music, architecture and diplomatic relations are addressed by Irish and Australian historians. A must for readers seeking an understanding of the role the Irish played in the emerging Australian nation.

Soft cover, 270 pages, large format, 26 X 21cm, lavishly illustrated, extensive endnotes, bibliography, biographical details of authors, name and thematic indexes.

$39.95 plus $14.00 postage.

Exiled: Colonial prisoners banished from NSW

Helen V Lloyd, self published. Panania, 2004.

Inspired by the stories of bushrangers that once roamed the Boorowa district, the author was intrigued to learn that once released from prison they were exiled from Australia. In the course of five years research; over 130 biographies were comprehensively researched and written in detail. Bushrangers such as Phillips and Frank Gardiner are included along with a variety of criminals deemed no longer fit to remain in the colony.

Hardbound, 311 pages, 25 X 17.5 cm, black & white illustrations, endnotes, index, bibliography.

$25.00 plus $14.00 postage

Far Away Days, a history of the Murrumbateman, Jeir and Nanima districts

Dorothy Mulholland, Murrumbateman Old School Grounds Committee, 1995.

Published in a time of rapid change within a small rural community this publication addresses current issues as well as providing an expansive window to the past and the families who pioneered the area. Eighteen chapters cover themes such as pastoral development, community themes such as education and religion and contemporary issues such as wine production, subdivision and water management. A valuable resource for those with an interest in the area.

Soft cover, 248 pages, 25 X 17.5 cm, illustrated, maps, appendices, bibliography.

$30.00 plus $14.00 postage

Fr Charles Lovat: 'Shepherd of Shepherds', First Parish Priest of Yass NSW 1839-1849

Peggy Jones, edited by Peter R Bindon and Anthony J MacQuillan, Privately published,Yass, 2018.

Based on the thesis of the late Peggy Jones written during her theology degree at the Melbourne College of Divinity and later serialised in Footprints (1980-1982) this publication covers the life of English priest Charles Lovat who came to Yass just as the first influx of immigrants, emancipists and assigned convicts settled the area.

Soft cover, 81 pages, 25 X 17.5cm, illustrated in colour,maps, index.

$30.00 plus $5.00 postage

Foreign Lands: A History and Genealogy of the Merriman and Margules Families in Australia

Diana MacQuillan, Privately published, 1994.

A thoroughly researched family history by well known Yass genealogist Diana MacQuillan, nee Merriman.

Hard cover, 284 pages, B5 format (approx), 25 X 18.5cm, illustrated, family trees, references, index.

$25.00 plus $14.00 postage

2020 Vision Gwen Warmington: Looking Back

Gwen Warmington, A J MacQuillan (ed), privately published, 2020.

Autobiography of local resident Gwen Warmington with particular emphasis on the role she played as a Councillor and in the administartion of local community organisations.

Soft cover, 112 pages, 25 X 17.5 cm, black and white illustrations, appendix, index

$35.00 plus $9.00 postage.

Home Was Here

Mary Lang, Library of Australian History, North Sydney, 1987..

An illiterate Irish exile, Edward Redmond, transported for life following the 1798 Rebellion and with neither money nor influence, acquired in his new country a remarkable wife. Together they surmounted sorrows and difficuties to eventually become prominent citizens and some of Sydney's earliest 'nouveaux riches'.

Hardbound, 229 pages, 24 X 16 cm, illustrated, sources, index

$15.00 plus $9.00 postage.

Irish Gold: a tale of two pioneer families

Robert Lehane, Ginninderra Press, 2002.

An account of the lives of two Irish families, the Lehanes and Murphys, who settled in the Yass-Young area of New South Wales during the mid 1850's. Not just a family history but a generous slice of local history, drawn from the pages of the Yass Courier and brought vividly to life by descendant Robert Lehane.

Soft cover, 305 pages, 20.5 X 14.5 cm, illustrated, sources, index

$25.00 plus $9.00 postage.

Lang's Creek Anglican Cemetery, Boorowa NSW

St John's Anglican Church, Boorowa, reprint 2011.

List of burials, historical notes on the cemetery and some individuals, plan of cemetery.

Soft cover, 36 pages, 21.0 X 14.5 cm, illustrated, sources, index

$8.00 plus $2.00 postage.

Life and times of A J Shearsby, Yass, 1872-1962.

P R Bindon & A J MacQuillan Privately published, 2017.

Alfred Shearsby was a polymath, a man of many interests and talents. Remembered in Yass as a professional photographer and well respected amateur geologist, he had many other skills that he willingly applied for the benefit of the wider community. This publication provides a window into the world of a man who without benefit of a tertiary education earned the respect of academia.

Soft cover, 214 pages, 30 X 21 cm, liberally Illustrated.

$35.00 plus $14.00 postage.

Looking Back: My Story

Eric Bernard Bell OAM, Tony MacQuillan (ed) privately published, 2011.

The life story of Ngunnawal elder and Yass community leader Eric Bell. Appendix by archeaologist Dr Peter Rimas Kabaila.

Soft cover, 116 pages, 30 X 21 cm, liberally Illustrated, maps, time lines.

This book is no longer in print. In the spirit of reconciliation Tony MacQuillan has made a pdf version of the publication available for download,.

Lovat chapel; First St Augustine's Church, Yass.

St Augustine's Church, Yass, 2018.

Published for the 180th Anniversary of erection of Yass' first Catholic Church with a brief history of the church, its stained glass windows and the clergy who administered to parishioners.

Soft Cover, 21 X 14.5 cm, 24 pages, colou illustrations.

$5.00 plus $2.00 postage

My Dear Mother: a letter from a soldier after Gallipoli

Roy Denning, Yass & District Historical Society Inc, 1998.

Transcript of a letter from the society's archives, written from Pembroke Camp, Malta by Private Roy Denning of the 1st Field Company Engineers, while recovering from wounds received at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, when his unit landed as part of the Australian Imperial Force. One of the most eloquent and moving accounts that you will ever read of a most significant moment in Australian history. A brief biographical account of Private Denning is also included.

Soft Cover, 21 X 14.5 cm, 20 pages.

$5.00 plus $3.00 postage.

News and Gossip of Old Yass: complied and written by James Richard Mallyon

James Richard Mallyon, Robin Butt (ed) privately published, 2009

During the 1930s John Richard Mallyon wrote a series of articles on the early history of Yass for the Yass Tribune-Courier. This book is a transcription of the original hand written notes compiled by him for earlier newspapers and chronicles the growth of Yass and its vast district.

Soft cover, 347 pages, 30 X 21 cm, subject and people indexes.

Reduced to $35.00 plus $15.00 postage.

The Old Hume Highway: History begins with a road

Roads and Maritime Services, 2014

A traveller friendly publication giving a history of the towns along the route of the original Hume Highway with maps, stories and details of attractions.

Soft cover, wire spiral binding, 122 pages, 25 X 17 cm, illustrated, references.

$10.00 plus $6.00 postage.

Only Behind a Cloud: The History of old Linton

Stephe Jitts, self published, Yass, 2012.

'Old Linton' began life as 'Alfristan Cottage', a generously proportioned cottage of simple design erected by Jewish emancipist Moses Moses. Its second owner storekeeper J P Ritchie renamed it 'Linton' for his Scottish birthplace but it was under the ownership of Ritchie's son-in-law A B Triggs, the renowned pastoralist, that the building was substantially enlarged and improved to house a burgeoning collection of artwork. In 1945 after the death of Trigg's second wife, the house was gifted to the Returned Services League as a home for returning war veterans. With the completion of a new residential facility in 1990 the home was sold into private hands and became known as 'Old Linton'. Over the years 'Old Linton' bore witness to the mixed fortunes of its various owners but perhaps the words of A B Triggs sums up the resilient spirit of its various occupants - 'The sun has not gone out business, only behind a cloud'.

Soft cover, 130 pages, 21 X 14.5 cm, illustrated, references.

$25.00 plus $9.00 postage.

St Andrew's Church, Yass, Centenary 2006

Brian Carruthers, St Andrew's Uniting Church, 2006.

This publication was especially compiled for the centenary celebrations of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, which combined with the Methodist Church in 1972. Included in the overview of the Yass parish are details of the churches, the ministers, fundraising and social activities and the families who have been connected with the parish.

Soft cover, 72 pages, 30 X 21cm, large format, illustrated, bibliography.

$20.00 plus $9.00 postage.

Some Came Free

E G Hazell, illustrated by Bill Bresser, Canberra,2001.

This is the story of mid nineteenth century Australia told from the perspective of the early pioneers - the convicts and immigrants, and gives an account of the farming communities in the Goulburn, Gunning and Yass areas. 2nd edition.

Soft cover, 379 pages, 25 X 17.5 cms, illustrated, appendix, generalogy,bibliography, index.

$15.00 plus $14.00 postage.

Talks with a Fork

Yass & District Historical Society, Yass, 2001.

A collection of papers given at a Yass seminar. Christine Wright discusses the variation in experiences of convicts assigned to John Coghill's properties at Camden and Braidwood. Stonemason George Donald's work which took him from Scotland to Yass with work on some of the state's major buildings along the way, is detailed by Linda Emery. Steve Hart, a descendant of early Jewish businessmen, writes of the role they played in the establishment of the town. Leatherworks, bootmakers and tanners were vital trades in rural areas and Peter Bindon has brought together information on an impressive number of them for his paper. Finally local photography enthusiast Russel Whitehurst assembled a selection of images depicting nineteenth century Yass.

Soft cover, 103 pages, 20.5 X 14.5 cms, black and white illustrations, maps, family tree, endnotes, index.

$10.00 plus $4.00 postage.

The Duffs of Yass

Diana MacQuillan, privately published, 2003.

Researched and written by a Duff descendant by Yass genealogist Diana MacQuillan.

Soft cover, 270 pages, 26 X 17.5 cm, illustrated, appendix, maps, references, bibliography, index.

$35.00 plus $14.00 postage.

The Merryville Type: How excellence bred brilliance

David Moeller, Lexington Avenue Press, 2001.

The history of Merryville stud in the twentieth century is an account of Australia's most charismatic industry. The wool from Merryville was described in 1913 as 'perfect' and the challenge of how to improve upon perfection is the story of Merryville. Written to celebrate the centenanry of the Merryville type this publication gives an account of the Merriman family and the formation and growth of the one of Australia's most famous merino studs.

Hard cover (with dust jacket), 279 pages, 26 X 18 cm, Illustrated.

$25.00 plus $14.00 postage.

'The very dawn of settlement' surveyed from Galong Cemetery

Max Barrett, C SS R, self published, 2006.

This is a much enlarged edition of Fr Barrett's earlier publication detailing the burials and biographical informationof those whose mortal remains lie within the stone-walled Galong cemetery. Founded in the 1830s by Tipperary-born emancipist Edward Ryan, the cemetery became the final resting place of dozens of early pioneers and in particular those of Ryan's birthplace - Ireland. Information on burials at Mylora and other isolated burial sites in the district are also included.

Soft cover, 268 pages, 25 X 17.5 cm, colour and black and white illustrations, indexes, plans, appendices.

$35.00 plus $14.00 postage.

'This Mad Folly': the history ofAustralia's Pioneer Women Doctors

M Hutton Neve, Library of Australian History, North Sydney, 1980.

This publication traces the achievements of Australia's unhonoured and unsung pioneer women medical practioners. They courageously pursued their medical courses in the face of organised and often bitter opposition, specially in Sydney and Melbourne. Includes lists of graduates between 1889 and 1911 and biographical information.

Hardbound, 174 pages, 23.5 X 15.5 cm, black and white illustrations, appendices, index

$15.00 plus $9.00 postage.

'We have not forgotten': Yass and district's war 1914-1918

Cheryl Mongan & Richard Reid, Milltown Research & Publications, 1998.

Written as a model for a study of an Australian community during the Great War, this publication gives a comprehensive account of the Yass district and its people, told through the sources found within the community as well as those held in national institutions. Based on the area covered by the readership of the local newspaper, it includes Boorowa and the various smaller villages from which the men and women of the 1st AIF were recruited. Honour rolls, the records of the Yass Boys' Comforts Fund, newspapers and local archival records are supplemented with official records. More than forty honour rolls in the district form the basis for the lists of over 1,500 men and women who enlisted as well as those for fell in the service of their country. With the 90th anniversary of the WWI Armistice in 2008 this book is especially relevant.

Soft cover, 343 pages, 21 X 15 cm, lavishly illustrated, indexes, maps, chronology, bibliography. Also available in hardcover $30.00 plus $10 postage.

$20.00 plus $9.00 postage.

Whole Histories: keeping the stories alive

Yass & District Historical Society Inc, Yass, 2017.

These sixteen papers and four additional forum texts were given at the Yass & District Historical Society's conference Whole Histories: keeping the stories alive in April 2017. The speakers included heads of national institutions and organisations, well-known historians, authors, archivists and professionals working in various aspects of Australian heritage. At a time when some historical and family history groups are struggling to see the path ahead due to aging memberships, rapidly changing technology, limited funding and a host of other challenges, the papers examined ways to use local collections, make organisations relevant to their community and plan for the future. A valuable handbook for heritage related groups as well as the history buff.

Soft cover, 203 pages, 30 X 21cm, lavishly illustrated in full colour, graphs, diagrams, bibliograhy, glossary, author's biographies, index.

$25.00 plus $14.00 postage.

Yass Lodge Concord No 27: 150 years 1860-2010

A J MacQuillan & VW Bro Peter Bindon DGIW, Yass Lodge Concord, 2010.

A history of the Freemasons in Yass celebrating their sesquicentenary in 2010.

Soft cover, 238 pages, 25 X 18 cm, liberally illustrated, appendices including full membership list.

$30.00 plus $14.00 postage.