95-year-old author publishes first historical fiction novel
When Graham Smith started writing ‘Red Earth Red Blood’, he was only a youngster in his 70s. Now at 95 years young, the Tuckurimba...
top of page
Tales from the Grave
Uncovering family history from down under
Search
Samantha Elley
Oct 142 min read
Celebrating 100th birthday with a smoke and a drink
Living past 100 years was a rare feat in days gone by and even rarer for men.
74 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Oct 72 min read
First Australian woman killed in Vietnam
She was blonde and beautiful and at 19 years old, Cathy Wayne had the entertainment world at her feet. Her life, however, would be cut...
344 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Oct 12 min read
Parents die while Bill is on the world stage
Imagine you are at the peak of your career as one of Australia's elite cricketers. So much so, you have been chosen as part of the...
194 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Sep 172 min read
He fed the starving while his son butchered the car
It was the kindness of butcher, Daniel Walsh that stopped some from starving through the Depression.
275 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Sep 102 min read
Female law student undeterred by prejudiced professor
In the era that Ada Emily Evans was born, it was rare for women to be in the legal profession.
94 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Aug 273 min read
Plain headstone for complex man
For the amount of acclaim and controversy that Norman Lindsay's life created, his headstone is very simple by comparison. All it says is:...
321 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Jul 162 min read
A hardy pioneer life for one woman
When Jane Power West died at the age of 90 years old in 1913, she took with her a lifetime of experiences only a pioneer woman in early...
615 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Jul 93 min read
'A cup of tea for the priest?'
He was a familiar face in pioneering Australia as he set about to spread God's word.
379 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Jun 252 min read
Gentleman bushranger became a hat-maker
You would think the words 'gentleman' and 'bushranger' were complete opposites
165 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Jun 112 min read
From shipping office to outback squatter
When you have been a big part of the establishment of the cattle industry in a burgeoning outback economy, it seems a cruel fate to be...
298 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
May 142 min read
A hidden cemetery under a school
For years children have been playing over the remains of early settlers.
431 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
May 72 min read
Airman with a big heart
He was known as a Lancaster man.
158 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Apr 302 min read
Typhoid victim was a keen roller skater
WHEN George Robinson died in 1911 the local skating rink closed its doors on the day of his funeral in sympathy for the family. The...
242 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Apr 162 min read
Mystery skeleton found in lonely cave
Herbert Massey had been missing for two and a half years.
378 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Feb 262 min read
Mercy dash was to no avail
He could have survived his injury of a broken neck, but that was not to be for Ralph Milgate Pepper.
1,155 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Nov 20, 20232 min read
First in the role, first to be dismissed
Thomas had a unique way of doing his job.
319 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Oct 23, 20232 min read
'A dear face missed from its accustomed place'
The grief over the death of a child is always felt more keenly.
465 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Oct 2, 20232 min read
Plane disappearance creates reluctant hero
The mystery of the Stinson mail plane disappearance was solved by Bernard O'Reilly
592 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Sep 26, 20232 min read
Boxing bout leaves young man dead
It was a sudden death, totally unexpected and to a young, healthy man who was fighting fit. Born in 1913 in Brisbane to Percy and Lucy,...
195 views0 comments
bottom of page