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Tales from the Grave
Uncovering family history from down under
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Little orphan engulfed in flames
At 11 years of age, Annie Murphy had already been dealt a cruel blow in life, finding herself living at St Aidan's Orphanage in the...
Samantha Elley
Feb 262 min read
179 views
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He didn't mean to kill her
Sylvia Holmes' body was found in the front bedroom of her tiny cottage, Cremorne Street, Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne on the evening of...
Samantha Elley
Nov 18, 20242 min read
133 views
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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.
Samantha Elley
Oct 14, 20242 min read
93 views
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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:...
Samantha Elley
Aug 27, 20243 min read
347 views
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'Nothing left in this world to mother'
When Emily Mary Elizabeth Delo wrote a letter, giving her permission for her 18-year-old son John 'Jack' Alfred Alston Delo to join the...
Samantha Elley
Aug 6, 20242 min read
489 views
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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...
Samantha Elley
Jun 11, 20242 min read
400 views
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A Child of the Golden Era
Searching for gold was a way of life for Mary Ann and her family.
Samantha Elley
Apr 9, 20242 min read
516 views
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The short-lived love of the Captain and his lady
The writing on the striking white gravestone is barely readable. The tree that may have been planted at the time of burial has now grown...
Samantha Elley
Feb 12, 20242 min read
475 views
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Land forger caught out 30 years later
He sold land then forged documents to get it back.
Samantha Elley
Jan 8, 20242 min read
580 views
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Tragic news before Christmas
To lose one son to war is tragedy enough, but to lose two is an unspeakable torture.
Samantha Elley
Dec 18, 20232 min read
390 views
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His art brought depth to colonial life
A humble headstone hides an artistic treasure.
Samantha Elley
Nov 28, 20232 min read
1,330 views
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Mystery photos in Rosenberg collection
Calling all family historians who love solving mysteries!
Samantha Elley
Oct 9, 20232 min read
268 views
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Cartoonist captures Australian idiom
Two cartoon characters bring the Australian way of life to the fore.
Samantha Elley
Sep 12, 20232 min read
305 views
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His last ride was a memorable one
Australia's most successful jockey met his match at Caulfield.
Samantha Elley
Jul 4, 20233 min read
472 views
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They became Empire scapegoats
His fellow officers were executed to hide a 'no prisoners' policy.
Samantha Elley
May 23, 20232 min read
332 views
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Memorial for a little hero
Heroes can come in all shapes and sizes.
Samantha Elley
May 2, 20232 min read
502 views
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He survived both world wars with a Victoria Cross
In honour of Anzac Day, we remember Albert Chalmers Borella, Victoria Cross recipient. Born in Victoria in 1881, he was working in the...
Samantha Elley
Apr 25, 20232 min read
192 views
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Goldfields artist forgotten for three decades
His sketches and lithographs made him famous in his time.
Samantha Elley
Mar 13, 20232 min read
563 views
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Sad ending for missing children from Daylesford
A day of chasing wild goats ends in tragedy.
Samantha Elley
Feb 6, 20232 min read
3,193 views
0 comments


Christmas Day passing after losing wife
He made Christmas lunch memorable for his friends.
Samantha Elley
Dec 19, 20222 min read
668 views
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