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Tales from the Grave
Uncovering family history from down under
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Samantha Elley
Dec 16, 20242 min read
POW son released a month after Denis dies
When Denis Ahern breathed his last and passed to the other side, he left not knowing where his son, William Vincent Ahern was. His last...
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Samantha Elley
Jul 23, 20242 min read
Night of hell for one young family
It was an oppressively hot day on the 5th April, 1887 in the small Northern Queensland gulf town of Burketown situated on the banks of...
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Samantha Elley
Jun 11, 20242 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...
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Samantha Elley
Mar 18, 20243 min read
He kick started the gold rush in Northern Queensland
He was credited with finding the first gold-bearing stone as a child which established the town of Charters Towers.
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Samantha Elley
Mar 5, 20242 min read
He built the first hotel on an iconic resort island
Sheep farming, gold-mining, hotel owning were just some of the jobs Robert Hayles took on.
609 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Jan 22, 20242 min read
Boy dies from soft drink bottle
A Christmas treat turns fatal
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Samantha Elley
Jan 15, 20243 min read
Remembering the Devastating Clermont Flood of 1916
Over 60 people lost their lives to one of Australia's most devastating floods.
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Samantha Elley
Nov 13, 20233 min read
He had no regard for his personal safety
'He would always carry out his duty regardless of his safety'.
490 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Nov 6, 20232 min read
Trapped by ferocious bushfires
She died just before her brother came back from the war.
484 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Oct 17, 20232 min read
Was he the last remaining Crimean War veteran?
The facts of Charles' life don't match the claims.
142 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
634 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
May 30, 20232 min read
The explorer and the writer: A love story
Their marriage was short-lived but their achievements were great.
374 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
May 23, 20232 min read
They became Empire scapegoats
His fellow officers were executed to hide a 'no prisoners' policy.
328 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Apr 11, 20232 min read
Police sergeant's mysterious suicide
He was 38 years in the police force.
392 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Jan 16, 20232 min read
His landholdings were bigger than England
Australia's own cow boy was a generous man.
638 views2 comments
Samantha Elley
Nov 14, 20222 min read
Domestic violence leads to hanging
Two lives cut short in lovers tragedy.
312 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Sep 20, 20222 min read
He made mango wine that could "kill at a hundred yards"
Magnetic Island's pioneer knew his fruit.
267 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Feb 21, 20223 min read
80 year mystery sees sailor come home
The mystery body washed up on the shores of Christmas Island after the sinking of the HMAS Sydney.
1,211 views2 comments
Samantha Elley
Jan 24, 20222 min read
The forgotten Australian actress
She had high hopes in Hollywood but never truly made it.
829 views0 comments
Samantha Elley
Oct 11, 20213 min read
First Italian to step foot on present day Mackay
His name has disappeared from the gravestone, but his legacy is large.
363 views0 comments
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