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Tales from the Grave
Uncovering family history from down under
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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


98 year-old letter finally delivered
He wrote to his mate's mum, but died before he could deliver the letter.

Samantha Elley
Apr 4, 20232 min read


Suffragette questioned men's laws for women
Her literary ability was passed on to her son and benefited the women's movement.

Samantha Elley
Mar 28, 20232 min read


Revenge killing leads to massacre
Many lives lost in the early telegraph days

Samantha Elley
Mar 21, 20233 min read


Goldfields artist forgotten for three decades
His sketches and lithographs made him famous in his time.

Samantha Elley
Mar 14, 20232 min read


Australia's first terrorist victim was 17 years old
A picnic day goes very, very wrong.

Samantha Elley
Mar 7, 20232 min read


Deadly swim on New Year's Day
The hot weather made the river attractive.

Samantha Elley
Feb 21, 20232 min read


Hordern family behind largest department store worldwide
They ruled the retail trade

Samantha Elley
Feb 14, 20232 min read
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