Dickens' son a station agent and bushranger catcher
His name alone carried the weight of British literature.
Tales from the Grave
Uncovering family history from down under
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Samantha Elley
- Feb 13, 2021
- 4 min
Sheep industry thrives under a woman’s touch
Elizabeth’s expert ability to manage the sheep ensured their competitive place in the British wool market.
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Samantha Elley
- Feb 7, 2021
- 4 min
Police Commissioner has finger on the police force pulse
He nearly died on the job and introduced finger printing as a way of catching criminals.
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Samantha Elley
- Jan 29, 2021
- 3 min
The mystery of the Fraser Island girls
Two young white girls are rescued from an Aboriginal tribe on Fraser Island, three years after their boat is ship-wrecked and all crew is lo
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Samantha Elley
- Dec 7, 2020
- 4 min
Olley surrounded herself in still life art
She worked in a chaotic maze of colour and clutter, creating her beautiful artworks. Her surroundings were not for the minimalists among...
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Samantha Elley
- Dec 4, 2020
- 4 min
Fridge king establishes Taronga Park Zoo
When Edward John Lees Hallstrom had a passion for something, he threw everything at it.
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Samantha Elley
- Nov 30, 2020
- 3 min
Previous tragedy spurs father on to be a hero
An unbearable tragedy may have been the catalyst for a daring, heroic act by John Christian Erichs, where he would eventually pay the...
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Samantha Elley
- Aug 8, 2020
- 1 min
More coverage for Tales from the Grave
Tales from the Grave is gaining a wider audience. Find out here where we are going.
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Samantha Elley
- Jul 5, 2020
- 2 min
He was the founder behind a 144 year old newspaper
People complained about this "new-fangled idea of a newspaper" in their town, but William Kelleway went on to establish a newspaper that...
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Samantha Elley
- Jun 20, 2020
- 3 min
Her high jump record was held for 98 years
Her 'frail' physique belied the amazing ability Esther Stace had when in control over a large horse.
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Samantha Elley
- Jun 7, 2020
- 3 min
After three years he came back from the dead
James Benson could have been forgiven for aligning himself with Job of the Bible, when he lost his family and his freedom.
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Samantha Elley
- May 30, 2020
- 3 min
How a collection of old boxes became anthropological gold.
They were a treasure buried in dusty boxes, left by a woman who had died, for a real estate agent who didn't know what to do with them.
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Samantha Elley
- May 3, 2020
- 3 min
Mr Eternity shares his faith in one word
When a person is genuine in their intentions, it is bound to affect at least a few people.
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Samantha Elley
- Apr 28, 2020
- 3 min
From genteel drawing room to wild Australian bush
Two lonely graves, surrounded by iron fencing in a paddock - are the only indication of what remains of Sandilands Homestead.
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Samantha Elley
- Apr 19, 2020
- 2 min
From larrikin to war hero
A special story this week, written by my son Caleb Elley, when was 15 years old, for his History class in honour of Anzac Day
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Samantha Elley
- Apr 5, 2020
- 4 min
The first man to drive from London to Melbourne
Virtually unknown Francis Birtles was an adventurer, photographer, cyclist, and filmmaker, who set many cycling and driving records.
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Samantha Elley
- Mar 29, 2020
- 3 min
Nurse Egan's fight that went beyond the grave
One hundred years ago a young nurse volunteered to care for soldiers returning from the Great War. A week later she died.
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Samantha Elley
- Mar 8, 2020
- 3 min
Died by a bullet from her husband
Edith Lovett was in her prime when her husband came to her workplace on 15th March, 1910. She was only 26 years old when he aimed and fired
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Samantha Elley
- Feb 17, 2020
- 3 min
Ragtime queen chose her final resting place in Australia
If the pharmacy industry had claimed her first, the world would have missed out on the incredible musical talent of Una Winifred Atwell.
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Samantha Elley
- Jan 27, 2020
- 3 min
Politician had them 'quaking' for the workers
He was a teetotaller and believed in free trade, going against the beliefs of his own father. He was a Quaker in politics.
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