Tears Near the Banks of the Nepean (Soft Cover)
$85.00
‘ups and downs’ throughout the areas’ history. Scandals, tragedies, crooks, and controversies have, at times, brought the community to tears. Recognising the common adage that there is no gain without pain, these incidents are a natural part of the cycle of life; they help citizens to stay grounded and shape the local identity. The book captures 72 of these incidents, covering the period from British settlement in 1788 through to more recent events in 2023. The book starts with several unconscionable political scandals before shifting its focus to tragedies involving lives lost through rail, road and speedway crashes.
The Nepean Valley has endured civic pain through economic downturns, loss of iconic local businesses, and alarming and unconscionable banking conduct. It has also suffered at the hands of crooks over the years, including bushrangers, train robbers, murderers, and corrupt public officials. With its imposing backdrop, the Nepean River features heavily, recognising the damaging impacts on the people and the natural environment of hidden dangers, quarrying, storms, floods, fires, earthquakes and more recently the inaction on suitable flood mitigation.
As a ‘rugby league town’, there are numerous stories of footballing controversies, including boardroom wars, mistreatment of officials, sackings, walkouts, former players facing the courts, and a promised stadium upgrade. While the district now has stable local government, it has felt the upheaval in the past of council amalgamations, poor infrastructure, lost heritage, and development failures. The book also touches on Aboriginal disadvantage.
Stories are brought to life through fast facts, dates, timelines, artefacts, and about 350 photos.
Description
‘ups and downs’ throughout the areas’ history. Scandals, tragedies, crooks, and controversies have, at times, brought the community to tears. Recognising the common adage that there is no gain without pain, these incidents are a natural part of the cycle of life; they help citizens to stay grounded and shape the local identity. The book captures 72 of these incidents, covering the period from British settlement in 1788 through to more recent events in 2023. The book starts with several unconscionable political scandals before shifting its focus to tragedies involving lives lost through rail, road and speedway crashes.
The Nepean Valley has endured civic pain through economic downturns, loss of iconic local businesses, and alarming and unconscionable banking conduct. It has also suffered at the hands of crooks over the years, including bushrangers, train robbers, murderers, and corrupt public officials. With its imposing backdrop, the Nepean River features heavily, recognising the damaging impacts on the people and the natural environment of hidden dangers, quarrying, storms, floods, fires, earthquakes and more recently the inaction on suitable flood mitigation.
As a ‘rugby league town’, there are numerous stories of footballing controversies, including boardroom wars, mistreatment of officials, sackings, walkouts, former players facing the courts, and a promised stadium upgrade. While the district now has stable local government, it has felt the upheaval in the past of council amalgamations, poor infrastructure, lost heritage, and development failures. The book also touches on Aboriginal disadvantage.
Stories are brought to life through fast facts, dates, timelines, artefacts, and about 350 photos.
