This exciting new book is fresh from the printers, Flagstaff Group at Unanderra. The book is ready for release at the Helensburgh Fair late October or by our website www.historichelensburgh.org.au
Murders and Misadventures is a combination of actual newspaper articles from 1884 to 1954 and records from the Helensburgh General Cemetery. This combination makes interesting reading in a language not used in to-days articles. During this period the 2508 district was a hive of activity with the South Coast Railway being built from Waterfall to Wollongong. As well as the discovery of coal in Camp Creek Helensburgh. Many people from all walks of life moved into the district, i.e, railway gangers, miners, shop keepers and businesses. Schools and sporting activities followed and Helensburgh was known as a ‘wild west town’ and they were not wrong. Immigrants from all over the world invaded the district either looking for work or setting up businesses. It was not until the 1950’s that water and electricity came to town, so many houses that were not owned by the mine were make shift humpies where water was bucketed from the creeks. Hopefully this book will be well received as an historic document from what it was like in those 70 years in the 2508 District.
Authors, Helensburgh Historical Society Members, Jenny Donohoe & Jim Powell and researchers John Arney, Jan Lee and Shelley Cottom (2023)