Pioneering New England

Text by Joan Starr

Illustrated by Michael Nicholas

Rigby, 1978, [First Edition], black and white illustrations and photographs, hardcover, dustjacket

Very Good Condition, a little edge and shelf wear, a little rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, no inscriptions, dustjacket shows a little edge and shelf wear with a little rubbing, bumping, chipping and small tears to edges and corners (see photographs)

“The Tableland of New England was accidently discovered by John Oxley in 1818, but it remained for Allan Cunningham in 1827 to establish the potential and extent of the largest area of highland in Australia.  The first station was settled in 1832, seven years before the proclamation of the District of New England made settlement legal.
Pastoral expansion soon followed, and new settlers brought with them large flocks of sheep and herds of cattle to graze on the new-found pastures.  In this book the author has selected some of the early settlers and told of their occupations, family life, and struggles to make their home and living in this area which was far from Sydney, the main source of supply.
The daily life of the pioneers is described, from building their first huts to washing and shearing the sheep and attending to all kinds of stock.  Excitement came when the well-known bushranger Thunderbolt engaged in his activities in New England, sometimes with a little help from local residents.
Gold-mining flourished for a quarter of a century on the Tableland, bringing with it a vast influx on miners of all nationalities, and tin-mining provided steady employment for many years.  Logging and wheat-growing were other activities that formed part of the economic life of the area.
In this book the people who made the area productive are shown to be true pioneers, part of our great heritage.  This is a fascinating account of resourceful people who settled a beautiful region of Australia.”