Hesperian Press

A Bushwalking Brew

by John Foulsham

ISBN 978-0-85905-681-6, (2017, New), A4, illustrated with maps and photos, 251pp, 670 grams

$50.00* + POST

John Foulsham overlanded to Perth from England in 1969 and became a bushwalker. Long walks in Tasmania, the Stirling Ranges, Kokoda, and his epic journey with Murray Rankin on the Canning Stock Route in 1973 are described and illustrated. Great reading on the trials and joys of Australian bushwalking.

Published 21 November 2017.

A Foot in Both Worlds

by Sue McKenzie

ISBN 978-0-85905-691-5, (New, 2018), A4, 84pages, illustrated. 250 grams

$30.00 + POST

Sue was a taxi driver at Yirrkala in Arnhem Land. She writes passionately of the people and life in a place still little known by Australians.

The Australind Letters of Marshall Waller Clifton

Edited by JMR Cameron and PA Barnes

ISBN 978-0-85905-675-5, (New, 2017), casebound, dj, illustrated, 828 pages, 2.1kg

$95.00* + POST

This is a companion volume to the Clifton Journals published in 2010. It contains the correspondence from 1840 to 1847. With a biography of Clifton by Phyllis Barnes and an essay on 'The Rise and Fall of the Western Australian Company by JMR Cameron. Published 2 Oct 2017.

The Best of times

Michael Gugeri

ISBN 978-0-85905-689-2, (New 2018), A4, 193 pages, illustrated, indexed, 750 grams

$50.00* + POST

Michael’s first book, God Before Gugeri, is popular among all who know the Derby family. This new book continues the stories of Kimberley life and people with an emphasis on his family. His unconventional tales are a favourite among all who have lived in the Kimberley.

The Boundary Rider’s Daughter

by Evalene Wallbank

ISBN 978-0-85905-687-8, (New, 2017), A4, 100pp, illustrated, 290 grams

$30.00* + POST

Beyondie Station at Kumarina, north of Meekatharra, was taken up in the 1920s by Bob George, a Rabbit Proof Fence boundary rider. He protected a young part-Aboriginal girl, later marrying her. Yibbie had ten children with Bob George and later attachments, and most were sent by Bob to Sister Kate’s home in Perth for their education. Of the children today, two of the girls survive. One is a Perth lawyer, and the other, Evalene, was involved in a pastoral life. This is the interesting story of growing up in the wildest bush and in the equally feral children’s home. The George family were well-known in the upper Murchison/Gascoyne region and this autobiography is an interesting and important reflection of life in that country. It was written by 2003 but ignored by publishers, perhaps because its content was not considered abrasive enough in the ‘culture wars’ of that time.

Published 19 December 2017.

Dryblowers and Gold

Ed by Peter J Bridge

ISBN 978-0-85905-677-9, (2017, new), A4, 190pp, heavily illustrated, 510 grams

$50.00* + POST

A history of dryblowers. This revolutionary device was developed on the WA goldfields and spread in various forms to other dry auriferous states and nations. A collection of historical and technical reports that are scarcely known, together with an exceptional collection of photographs.

Published 27 Oct 2017.

Exploration Eastwards 1860-1869

Edited by Peter Bridge and Kim Epton. (WAEDP series.)

ISBN 978-0-85905-701-1, (New, 2018), casebound, section sewn, illustrated, maps, indexed, 576 pages, 1.5kg

$115.00* + POST

Contains some 30 expeditions including Lefroy and CC Hunt with appendices on the plants by Alex George and animals by Ian Abbott. Biographical notes on all known expedition members. Resolves the problems of the 'convicts gold' and Hunt's unknown convict helpers.

This is a very small run which will ensure future scarcity.

The companion volume 1869-1896 will go to the printers in July.

Fred McGill: An Ambiguous Aboriginal

Ed. by Peter J. Bridge

ISBN 978-0-85905-679-3, (New 2017), A5, softcover, 34pages, 50 grams

$10.00* + POST

The life of Fred, a Noongar among the easterner Mirning. Fred was a hit man for settlement to the east and took part in Russell’s 1897 expedition. His story in his own words. Fred died in 1909. Published 28 Sept 2017.

GWF

THE LETTERS OF A NATIVE WELFARE OFFICER

1959-1961 Pilbara And Kimberley

Edited By Nan Broad

ISBN 978-0-85905-673-1 (New, 2017), 278 pages, A4, Illustrated, 700 grams

$50.00* + POST

For the indigenous population of the North West of Western Australia the early 1960s held great promise and inevitable disappointment. Social welfare systems went into practice and some of the class barriers started to crumble. Against this progression the entrenched colonial superiority of the pastoralists continued them to dictate employment methods. In this see-sawing milieu Bill Courtney takes up an appointment as Native Welfare Officer in Port Hedland and later in Halls Creek. His first brief is to remove Don McLeod, instigator of Simdan, the mineral prospecting company in Pilbara which has gone broke. He then takes over as the sole officer in Halls Creek, servicing East Kimberley. Courtney's erudite correspondence to a friend during these periods contains it all - his reactions to every aspect of the uniquely individual lifestyle practised by the 'white fellas' and, both funny and sad, the reactions of the 'black fellas.'

Journal of the Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition 1891-1892

David Lindsay

Edited by Peter J. Bridge, Calliope Bridge and Celene Bridge
(WAEDP series.)

ISBN 978-0-85905-658-8, (Reprint 1893 + New 2018), Casebound, section sewn, illustrated - b&w and colour, maps, indexed, 397 pages, 1.08 kg,

$105.00* + POST

With appendices on the plants by Alex George and animals by Ian Abbott, reported by the expedition. Also the full Anthropology report by Richard Helms which has not been available for over a century, which contains 6 colour plates and many b&w photos. Biographies of all the men.

This is a very small run which will ensure future scarcity.

Murder at Maylands

Executed under an alias

W.C. Charnley & Peter J. Bridge

ISBN 978-0-85905-670-0, (New, 2017), 22 pages, illustrated, A4, 70 grams

$15.00* + POST

For 90 years the true identity and fate of a murderer has been hidden.

Photographs from the Frontier

Kimberley 1910-1911

by the Swedish Scientific Expedition, Ed. Kim Akerman.

ISBN 978-0-85905-661-8, (2017, New), 240 x 165, French flaps, 163pp, 450 grams

$55.00* + POST

153 B&W photos taken on the expedition, of Aboriginals, landscapes, settlers, expedition members.

Never before released photos of the Mjoberg expedition and an important collection that will create interest in camps on both sides of the creek.

Producer Gas Plants

Hoskins Foundry

ISBN 978-0-85905-664-9, (New, 2017), 55 pages, illustrated, A4, 150 grams

$25.00* + POST

Reprint of ultra-rare catalogue of industrial downdraft gas producers from over a century ago.

Ramblings of a Ratbag

by Colin Doig

ISBN 978-0-85905-705-0, (New 2018), A4, 142 pages, 410 grams

$40.00* + POST

The autobiography of the author of History of the 2nd Independent Company & 2/2 Commando Squadron (available from Hesperian Press). Initially privately circulated, this autobiog is a great story of unconventional life and is of course politically incorrect, as any book worth reading must be. From childhood through the Great Depression, to a boxing troupe, con merchants, farming, the army and the only units undefeated by the Jap hurricane.