Compiled by Manning Valley Historical Society
Celebrating the history of cookery in the Manning Valley NSW
This book is a recognition of the talents of women, past and present and of colonial settlers in and around the Manning Valley of NSW. It also includes documents and copies of original photographs from the MVHS museum and archives collection.
Softcover
68 pages with photographs
21 cm x 29.5 cm
Printed 2011
Cost: $15
Taree Scribblers
This fine collection by the writers of Taree Scribblers Club promises plenty of laughs, some poignant moments, and the occasional surprise. Short stories, memoirs, poems and cartoons showcase the broad talents of nine authors.
Softcover
122 pages
14 cm x 21 cm
First published 2010
Cost: $20
Therese Archinal
In this book Therese records both the strengths and weaknesses of the Andrews families. Using impeccable research she tells the stories of the Andrews family in the Manning Valley. There are hundreds of photographs – many of which are being seen for the first time.
176 pages including photographs
21 cm x 29.5 cm
Printed 2003
Softcoverost: $30

by Arthur Cooper
This is a history of the early businesses in Bent Street, Wingham.
Softcover
98 pages with colour and black and white photographs.
A4 (21 x 29.7cm)
Printed 2019
Cost $25.00
Reminiscences of a Railway Family 1925-1963
Royce Byrnes
The construction of the northern railway line in the early 1900’s necessitated the introduction of gatehouses situated at line crossings along the route.
This book records the difficult life of the Byrnes family, who raised fourteen children beside the tracks between 1925 and 1963.
Little has been written about this unusual family lifestyle and this book gives an important insight into another aspect of rural life.
Softcover
125 pages
145 cm x 21 cm
printed 1999
cost $18

Evelyn Boyce
This is the story of some of the people who lived and worked on Somerset during the period spanning almost a century when the property was owned by the Andrews family.
Softcover
52 pages
14.5 cm x 21 cm
Printed 1982
cost $6
Theodor Müller’s Nineteen Years in Australia
Translated by Frank Pammer
Edited by Maurie Garland & John Ramsland
Theodor Müller left his home in Switzerland and arrived in Sydney in 1857. He spent nineteen years travelling the Australian Outback, mainly on foot. He roamed north to Brisbane, west to Mudgee and south to Gundagai, sleeping beneath the stars and finding work where he could. In observing the culture of this new country, Müller also wrote chapters on gold, squatters, bushrangers, & Aboriginals.
To supplement the text, the editors have illustrated the book with many nineteenth century drawings, and provided annotations, background boxes and commentary boxes.
320 pages
13.5 cm x 21 cm
Printed 2007
Softcover
Cost: $25

A Folk History of the Upper Manning Cooplacurripa – Tiri – Tigrah
Compiled and written by Suzanne Sampson & Margaret Smith
This book makes no claim to give a scholarly account of the early settlement of the Upper Manning area. Rather, it is a folk history told, as they remember it, by the descendants of the early pioneering families.
Softcover
112 pages
21 cm x 29.5 cm
printed 1987
cost $20
A Pioneering Woman’s Struggle for Justice
Maurie Garland
Isabella Mary Kelly (no relation to Ned) was born in Dublin, and arrived in Australia in 1835, a wealthy single woman in a man’s world. She became the third settler in the Manning Valley, a pioneer in her own right. Isabella ran her property herself, using assigned convict labour. Isabella was disliked by her male counterparts who lived nearby and was eventually accused and convicted of a crime she did not commit
This is the story of her struggle to prove her innocence and obtain justice.
355 pages
13.5 cm x 21 cm
Revised and Updated Edition Printed 2012
Softcover
Cost: $30
“Tinobi” (Big Shark)
A brief history of Tinonee
Softcover
40 pages
14 cm x 21.5 cm
First published 1988
Cost: $20
A History of the Manning Valley
Max Solling
Max Solling’s latest book describes the rich history of the Manning Valley. He paints a vivid picture of Australia before and after settlement, telling the tales of characters who left homelands to start new lives on the other side the world.
He also illuminates the conservation history of the Wingham Brush, the last remnant of ancient wilderness in the region, and details the fight for its survival.
Hardcover
382 pages with photographs, index and 4 detailed appendices
19.5 cm x 26 cm
Printed 2014
Cost: $50
Evelyn Boyce and Joan Gibson
The first train arrived in Taree in 1913. This book details the story behind that arrival. It is divided into three sections: Gaining approval to build it, Building the railway, and its early days of operation.
Softcover
56 pages with over 40 photographs14.5 cm x 21 cm
Third Edition 2003
Cost: $8

Margaret Clark
This book is designed to showcase the gowns that women have worn in the Manning Valley since the end of the 19th century and the way traditions around the celebration of marriage reflect the customs of the period.
Softcover
84 pages
21 cm x 29.5 cm
printed 2017
cost $10
Rev.Dr. John Flynn and the Australian Inland Mission
Compiled and edited by Daryl Lightfoot and Sue Pacey
A limited edition ( of 400 copies ) commemorative monograph celebrating the centenary of the inauguration of The Australian Inland Mission.
Contents include: ‘Reflections’ by Rev.Dr. Colin Ford, former AIM Padre; ‘Memories of Rev.Dr. John Flynn; ‘Antecedents of the Australian Inland Mission – People and Places’; Flynn’s ‘Call to the Church’-The 1912 General Assembly of Australia; and Itinerant and Special Ministries – 1912 onwards.
The book also covers ‘The AIM Nursing Service; Some AIM Padres/Patrols; The Aerial Medical Service and the Pedal Radio’.
Softcover
56 pages
21 cm x 29.5 cm
Printed 2012
Cost: $15
A Folk History of the Manning Valley
Helen Hannah
Helen says of this book:
“Every person has a story to tell. My desire to hear and record some of these stories led me to write this book. As well as successful farmers and sawmill owners, I spoke to share farmers, rabbiters, women who dairyed and reared large families, as well as others who are usually forgotten by history.”
Softcover
230 pages
16 cm x 23 cm
First published 1988
Cost: $20

A collection of stories and poetry honouring 100 years of ANZAC
Wingham RSL Sub-Branch
Softcover
137 pages
21 cm x 29.5 cm
printed 2016
cost $20
Tom Woollard
In this book Tom has focused on the years he and Jean, his wife, spent at Caparra. He has drawn on his observations of life around him to paint a picture of a community, which, notwithstanding social, cultural, and religious differences, worked together to improve the district for the good of everyone. Tom has shown us the bonds which develop between people striving together for a better life.
Softcover
51 pages
14.5 cm x 21 cm
First Edition 2002
Cost: $10

by Maurie Garland
Set in colonial Sydney in 1895. With painstaking research, Maurie Garland reveals for the first time the full story behind the trial that changed Australia justice.
The trial that followed her husband’s arrest and the public meetings and Royal Commission that followed, riveted the attention of all Australia as crucial questions about the roles of judges, lawyers and witnesses in trials were examined, trying to determine what constitutes a fair trial.
263 pages with photographs
13.5 x 21cm
Printed 2019
Cost $25
Norma Neal and Minna Senior
This book is a history of Wingham’s Anglican Parish of St. Matthews and a story of the town itself. It highlights the way of life of the early communities in the Valley and then focuses on the people and township of Wingham.
Softcover
128 pages
145 cm x 21 cm
printed 1998
cost $15

by Bill Beach
Home ownership occupies a special place in the Australian psyche providing a strong sense of emotional security and safety. For 26 years Wingham Municipal Council conducted a remarkably successful housing finance scheme that assisted almost 400 local families to own their own home. There is little doubt that the housing scheme differentiated Wingham from many other country towns and is something of which the town can be proud.
26 pages with photographs
14 x 21.5cm
Printed 2019
Cost $14.00