BOOKS

Mr Jas. W.Sparks

Autobiography

James Sparks was born near London in 1829. He arrived in Chewton, Victoria in 1862 as the gold rush was at its height. He describes in detail his early life in Greenwich, England, his sea voyage to Australia and his life in Chewton where he became Town Clerk, Surveyor and Engineer, positions he held for 46 years.

Lola Montez and Castlemaine

Raymond A Bradfield

Ray Bradfield was born in Castlemaine in 1912. Following his military service during WW2 he settled in the township of Vaughan from where he sluiced Dan Smith Gully at Irishtown and Red Knob near Vaughan. Always an avid historian he wrote and published 18 local histories including this one about the enigmatic Lola Montez and her dramatic appearances on the goldfields during the 1850's.

Mining my Past - A life in gold mining

Verne Hooper

Verne Hooper worked in many jobs during his life in Central Victoria but his love was always the lure of gold. From his boyhood days spent walking the gold bearing gullies near his home in Spring Gully to Underground Manager of the famous Wattle Gully Mine at Chewton, he relates many aspects and anecdotes of the life a dedicated gold miner.

Tanderrum- Freedom of the Bush
The Djadjawurrung presence on the goldfields of Central Victoria

Ian D Clark & David A Cahir

For many 'new Australian' who arrived following the discovery of gold in Central Victoria it was impossible to empathise with people whose way of life was so inextricably linked to land, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

This book marks an important step in telling the story of the Djadjawurrung and their involvement in the Victorian gold rushes.

Chinese snapshots