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Tales from the Grave
Uncovering family history from down under
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Cartoonist captures Australian idiom
Two cartoon characters bring the Australian way of life to the fore.

Samantha Elley
Sep 12, 20232 min read


Award winning architect noted church designer
Joseph Fowell may have lost use of an eye, but his designs were flawless.

Samantha Elley
Sep 5, 20232 min read


He was a doctor in demand
At the turn of the 20th century, Dr Carlo Pio Ferdinando Baldassarre Franceschi reached Australian shores after attaining the rank of...

Samantha Elley
Aug 29, 20232 min read


Mystery disappearance of Cedar King remembered 58 years later
Bill Haydon's body has never been found.

Samantha Elley
Aug 22, 20232 min read


Procession of nurses to honour one of their own
She died while nursing others back to health.

Samantha Elley
Aug 15, 20232 min read


Are we in danger of losing our history?
Private James Hill Stobo no longer has any marker on his grave.

Samantha Elley
Aug 8, 20232 min read


Stately mansion tells story of philanthropic solicitor
They opened their home to help raise funds.

Samantha Elley
Jul 25, 20232 min read


He juggled fame and murder
From one of the greatest entertainers to a murderer?

Samantha Elley
Jul 18, 20233 min read


Her short life deserves to be remembered
How long before our memory fades?

Samantha Elley
Jul 11, 20232 min read


His last ride was a memorable one
Australia's most successful jockey met his match at Caulfield.

Samantha Elley
Jul 4, 20233 min read


Not your normal type of pioneer
A widow and her children decide to run a sheep station in outback Australia

Samantha Elley
Jun 20, 20232 min read


The agony of a mother
Her husband had left, meaning Louisa had some difficult decisions to make.

Samantha Elley
Jun 13, 20233 min read


Suspected murderer had an artistic talent
He was convicted for bank forgery, but there may have been more to charge him with.

Samantha Elley
Jun 6, 20232 min read


The explorer and the writer: A love story
Their marriage was short-lived but their achievements were great.

Samantha Elley
May 30, 20232 min read


They became Empire scapegoats
His fellow officers were executed to hide a 'no prisoners' policy.

Samantha Elley
May 23, 20232 min read


The apple of Granny Smith's eye
Sometimes the rubbish we throw out becomes the sweetest of results.

Samantha Elley
May 16, 20234 min read


Memorial for a little hero
Heroes can come in all shapes and sizes.

Samantha Elley
May 2, 20232 min read


He survived both world wars with a Victoria Cross
In honour of Anzac Day, we remember Albert Chalmers Borella, Victoria Cross recipient. Born in Victoria in 1881, he was working in the...

Samantha Elley
Apr 25, 20232 min read


Release of book on Woodburn history
History of Woodburn as told through the 'residents' of its cemetery.

Samantha Elley
Apr 18, 20232 min read


Police sergeant's mysterious suicide
He was 38 years in the police force.

Samantha Elley
Apr 11, 20232 min read
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