By JESSE GRAHAM
A DETAILED history of Narbethong will be compiled and showcased in the first edition of a new book, to be released to the public this Saturday.
Nar-be-thong – Historical Notes With Local Recollections will be released on Saturday 9 November at the Narbethong Hall, featuring more than 450 pages of stories and photographs.
The book has been compiled and written by people with personal connections to the town, which began almost 149 years ago in 1865 and sits between Healesville and Buxton.
With stories of pioneers, migrants, farmers, loggers and town-members, the book details many personal stories, including that of forester Murray Thompson.
Mr Thompson, who went to fight the 1939 fires in the area, was known for stuffing his lunch down his shirt and riding his horse to the fire front, rake-head attached to his saddle.
Historical photographs from the town’s past will be displayed in the book, which was compiled and fact-checked by a committee and editor, John Mole.
Mr Mole said he had spent in-excess of 1000 hours interviewing, researching, writing and assembling the book and dealing with conflicting recollections on historical matters.
He said the book was the brainchild of the president of Narbethong’s History Group Nancy Leslie and that he welcomes constructive comments about errors or omissions from the book.
The Nar-be-thong book launch will begin at 2pm on Saturday 9 November at the Narbethong Hall on Maroondah Highway.
Copies of the book will be $30.
For more information, call 9016 8106 or visit www.narbethong.org.au.
