“The Eclipse” Wingham, NSW
by Philip Gleeson
This is a history of the “Eclipse Garage” Wingham NSW. An overview of its operations 1926 – 1964/5
Manning Valley Historical Society is proud to publish a wide-range of books written by local historians as well as its own outstanding researchers. The publications we offer provide a unique insight into the people, places and events that have shaped the history of the Manning Valley.
Want to learn more?
Books may be purchased at Wingham Museum or ordered online at booksales.mvhs@outlook.com. Come in and take a look around or browse through the list of publications below.
This is a history of the “Eclipse Garage” Wingham NSW. An overview of its operations 1926 – 1964/5
A history of the clothing worn in bygone days that MVHS now holds in its collection.
Softcover
72 pages with photographs
21 cm x 29.5 cm
Printed 2014
Cost $10
A brief history of the Manning Valley.
Compiled by Narelle Smith
Narelle has taken the history of Mt. George and produced a collection of stories touching many different facets of the community’s establishment and evolvement over time.
Softcover
115 pages with photographs
21 cm x 29.5 cm
printed 2017
cost $24
This book records the history of the Bulga Plateau during the period 1970 to 1995. It is essentially an oral history that allows the inhabitants to tell their stories about life in an alternative community on the Bulga Plateau.
Terry O’Rourke’s War
Margaret A Clarke
Biography
Terry endured three and a half years of incarceration at Changi P.O.W camp. His story is told in his own words the the journal he maintained throughout the long years.
172 pages including photographs
13.5 cm x 21 cm
Printed 2022
Soft cover
Price: $20.00
This is the second of two volumes commemorating the sacrifices of young men and women from the Manning Valley in the campaigns of war. This volume covers the period from 1939 to 2014.
Dedicated to those from the Manning Valley who served in conflicts and wars commencing with the Sudan in 1885, and especially those who gave their lives in some foreign field.
This is the first of two volumes commemorating the sacrifices of young men and women from the Manning Valley.
This is a short history of pottery with particular reference to items in the collection of Wingham Museum.
Paul and Di Elger
This book is the story of pioneering families in Lansdowne, one of Australia’s better rainforest areas and of people concerned with the betterment of all through community involvement.
Softcover
80 pages with photographs
21 cm x 29.5 cm
cost $20
Bow Bow Creek School (now known as Bo Bo Creek) was the fourth National (public) school to be established in the Manning Valley.
Bill Beach
This book is a history of the Manning Valley dairy industry from the 1890s to the present.
Softcover
138 pages with photographs and maps
21 cm x 29.5 cm
printed 2017
cost $25
Author: Tom Woollard
Tom has searched deep into his memory to give us detailed history of how life used to be when it was an everyday occurrence to rise before dawn and light the wood stove for the first cuppa of the day, a challenge to move cattle long distances to market without the use of cattle trucks. Also, when the only light was a candle, and the depression was the backdrop of the struggle faced by most families living on the land.
“It is my sincere desire to dedicate my book to the memory of the previous generations, especially to those who came to Australia in the 1840 to 1860 era. These folk were the real nation builders who sought new lives and fortunes in a new and sometimes inhospitable land.”
Tom was born in 1927 and this book was first published in 1995. Tom’s memories and stories of this lifetime growing up in the Manning Valley, just outside Wingham, give us an insight into ways in which adversity was faced and conquered in the past. Tom’s extensive contribution to the community was honoured by a Premier’s Award in 1992, but even more widely in the hearts of those his goodwill touched.
Second-hand book – good condition
164 pages with black and white photographs
17.5cm x 24.7cm
Reprinted 1996 (now out of print)
Cost $45.00
This book has a tribute to John Martin, early history of cricket in the Manning, cricket clubs, grounds and ovals, curators, cricketers, and a photo gallery. There’s a great deal about cricket including stories, fibs, articles, folklore, club records, statistics, and much more.
Killabakh Community Association Inc.
This book is dedicated to all people of the Killabakh Valley – past and present- who have volunteered their time, energy and other resources for the betterment of their Hall and their community.
Softcover
107 pages
21 cm x 29.5 cm
printed 2007
cost $10
Edited by Penny Rich
The book details the proud record of ship building, in the Manning Valley, from the 1830’s when William Wynter built the “Tarree” up to the crafts built by Steber and Linton today.
It also contains the details of every boat built on the Manning River.
Maurie Garland
This is the story of the 18th Battalion at Gallipoli. We follow the men from their Australian camp to Egypt and the Gallipoli. During the first week on Gallipoli the 18th suffered over 6000 casualties. An Honour Roll of those killed in this week is included.
466 pages including photographs
13.5 cm x 21 cm
Soft cover
Price: $30.00
“Rod gives us another superb helping of his ingenious poetry and short stories in a way only Rod can serve it. He writes of characters and places within this Great Southern Land, with words which can be as gentle as the breeze through a gum tree, or as potent as the bite of a tiger snake.”
Neil McArthur
Roderick Williams
Illustrations by Sophie Glascott
“This book was written mainly for Primary school children, but some of the poems will have a wide appeal and I’m sure Sophie’s lovely drawings will thrill all eyes. The likes of ‘The Battle in the Garden’ – ‘A Secret Place’ – ‘The Liverpool Street Honker’ – and ‘My Blue Mate Jessie’ are performed to the delight of both children and adults.”
Roderick Williams
revised by Maurie Garland and Glenda Smith
The story of the search for gold in the Manning mirrors the rise and fall of the area’s economic prosperity. In prosperous times there was little interest in the search; however in periods of recession (1860s, 1880s-90s and 1930s) this changed and interest increased. Our story focuses on the two most successful fields on the Manning.
Softcover
36 pages
14.5cm x 21 cm
First printed 1997
Reprinted 2002 & 2018
cost $8