A love of collecting and writing oral history has led to a unique book titled History Talking by local writer Helen McAnulty covering reminiscences of people from Gulgong, Mudgee and Orange.
In his foreword Alexander Jenkins Professor Emeritus, University of Sydney, says “There is scarcely any aspect of life in those early years that escapes Helen’s incisive gaze. Ranging from pioneering life through settlements, natural disasters, railways, communications and foreign war service.”
Discover how Orange handled the Spanish flu, about switchboard operators, postal services, women in war time, the days of special deliveries, childhood games, washing days and changes in transport with stories from local residents.
Helen has been collecting and writing oral history for the past 30 years. Her newspaper column History Talking is based on her ongoing gathering of oral history and featured for many years in the Mudgee Guardian and now appears in the Central Western Daily.
In 1992 the Australia Day Council presented Helen with an award for “Achievement and outstanding contribution to the Community” and in 2002 she was recognised with a Premier’s Award for outstanding service, both given for her work in gathering oral history Her research was also used by the Australian Broadcasting Commission in the 2002 documentary When the War Came to Australia. This book has been published by the Marsden Memorial Rural History Research Centre and supported by the Oral History Group.
History Talking on Friday 2 December,
11am at Orange City Library Byng St, Orange. Please book your place by calling the Library on 6393 8132.
