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Tales from the Grave
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Reformed drunk builds a church
The story of John Lees is one of redemption and hope.

Samantha Elley
Jul 13, 20213 min read
803 views
6 comments


An artist who practiced the occult and worshipped Pan
She was known as the 'Witch of Kings Cross' and Rosaleen Norton confessed to a deep interest in and practice of the occult

Samantha Elley
Jul 6, 20213 min read
771 views
0 comments


Chasing Arthur's final resting place
The sun, and a few storm clouds, kept us company this afternoon on our quest for the story of Arthur Beaumont Goard.

Samantha Elley
Jun 29, 20212 min read
325 views
3 comments


His death created a community place in his home town
Recently at Broken Head, near Byron Bay on the north-east coast of NSW, the little wooden church of St Oswalds held its final service

Samantha Elley
Jun 22, 20213 min read
574 views
5 comments


He established Bushman's Bible and portraiture prize
What do Australia's most famous portrait prize, the now defunct Bulletin magazine and Hyde Park fountain in the heart of Sydney all have...

Samantha Elley
Jun 8, 20213 min read
339 views
2 comments


Female bushranger wore pants alongside Captain Thunderbolt
In 1865 police had tracked the notorious bushranger Captain Thunderbolt to his camp in the Maitland area. What they found was a heavily...

Samantha Elley
May 17, 20214 min read
1,547 views
4 comments


Chained to a rock on Goat Island for 2 years
Goat Island in Sydney Harbour became Charles 'Boney' Anderson's prison for two years, chained to a large sandstone rock.

Samantha Elley
May 10, 20214 min read
2,779 views
1 comment


How a piece of paper caused more drama than a soap opera
The fight over his will took up more space in the newspaper than his obituary.

Samantha Elley
Apr 20, 20213 min read
503 views
0 comments


A date with SAG to talk about Tales
I was honoured to be asked to talk about the establishment of Tales

Samantha Elley
Mar 26, 20211 min read
125 views
0 comments


“Here’s to ‘ee”: Raising a glass to the Toohey Brothers
Two Irish brothers who had been running pubs in Melbourne, travel to Sydney to make their own beer, and create an Australian icon. It is...

Samantha Elley
Mar 20, 20215 min read
721 views
1 comment


Gumnut baby creator seen as ‘New Woman’ in early 20th century
Bringing the beauty of the Australian bush alive, not only to children, but also to adults, was the special skill of May Gibbs. Born to...

Samantha Elley
Mar 5, 20214 min read
268 views
1 comment


Tales from the Grave enters Genealogy list
It's been 15 months now since I established my newspaper column Tales from the Grave as a website. It's been only 3 months since I...

Samantha Elley
Feb 26, 20211 min read
190 views
0 comments


Dickens' son a station agent and bushranger catcher
His name alone carried the weight of British literature.

Samantha Elley
Feb 20, 20214 min read
255 views
0 comments


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.

Samantha Elley
Feb 13, 20214 min read
194 views
1 comment


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.

Samantha Elley
Feb 7, 20214 min read
289 views
1 comment


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

Samantha Elley
Jan 29, 20213 min read
1,321 views
3 comments


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...

Samantha Elley
Dec 7, 20204 min read
503 views
2 comments


Fridge king establishes Taronga Park Zoo
When Edward John Lees Hallstrom had a passion for something, he threw everything at it.

Samantha Elley
Dec 4, 20204 min read
463 views
0 comments


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...

Samantha Elley
Nov 30, 20203 min read
732 views
0 comments


More coverage for Tales from the Grave
Tales from the Grave is gaining a wider audience. Find out here where we are going.

Samantha Elley
Aug 8, 20201 min read
226 views
0 comments
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