A new free booklet about Bega Valley's history has been released, titled Bega Shire's Hidden Heritage.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 44-page booklet includes photographs and brief details about 101 objects within the shire that have local historic or heritage significance.
"This is our local history in interesting bite-size pieces," South Coast History Society's president Peter Lacey said.
"And it's not just about our historic buildings or the usual and obvious historic things.
"Most of the objects are much more quirky - things like an old water pipe, an infant's bassinet, and an old champagne glass are all featured because each of these objects has some local historical or heritage significance or has a great story associated with it."
The booklet provides details of things from the very top of the shire, such as Wallaga Lake Bridge, through to the very bottom, the Black-Allan Line on the border with Victoria, as well as from the most easterly points, like the Tathra Wharf, through to the very western edge - Woolingubrah Inn.
Mr Lacey said it includes objects that are 360million years old - Devonian Fossil Fish - through to "objects" that are modern such as Candelo Markets and Four Winds.
"Our unique natural history is explained though objects such as Gulaga, Biamanga and Balawan mountains, by our endemic flora, and through important landscapes such the small patch of lowland grassy woodlands that has survived near Bemboka and the interesting coastal heathlands that can be seen near Green Cape Lighthouse," he said.
"Also included in these booklets is information about a smattering of objects of Aboriginal significance, objects representing local industries that were once important to the area, objects commemorating significant events like bushfires and community protests against logging in local forests, through to things that might be considered 'just plain weird', like some early obstetric equipment, a schoolboy's diary from 1909, and a promotional book from 1926 advertising the business attractions of Twofold Bay."
More detailed information about each of the 101 objects has also been compiled, and the booklet provides links to each of these 101 dossiers of information that are available at no charge via the internet.
"We're suggesting that locals should grab a copy of this free booklet, then get in their cars over a few weekends, and set out to discover some of the what is hidden away in various places throughout the shire," Mr Lacey said.
Bega Shire's Hidden Heritage is available free from all of the shire's libraries and from outlets that normally distribute Recollections, the shire's free history magazine.
Copies can also be downloaded here.
