Hesperian Press

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN EXPLORERS’ DIARIES PROJECT INC.

Journal of the Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition 1891-1892

David Lindsay

Edited by Peter J. Bridge, Calliope Bridge and Celene Bridge

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.

Madness in the Mulga

The murder of Bert Livingstone at Mt Seabrook. 

by Peter J. Bridge

ISBN 978-0-85905-755-4, (New, 2019), A5, 28pp, 45 grams, $15.00*

Massacre!

Peter J Bridge

ISBN 978-0-85905-734-9, (New, 2018), A4, 53pp, illustrated, 170 grams

$30.00* + POST

The brutal shootings and bludgeoning to death of many Aboriginal men, women and children at Laverton in 1910 shocked the nation. It was the culmination of a series of attacks and murders but the trial resulted in the acquittal of the perpetrators.

Memoirs of Ted Cockram

Teamster, Tailor and Tourism

A life in the NW

Ted Cockram

ISBN 978-0-85905-703-5, (New, 2018), A4, 220pp, illustrated, 600 grams

45.00* + POST

Ted’s early bush life led to his being one of the major promotors of tourism in the North and the Goldfields, long before the current slick marketing campaigns have made their millions. An important bio of a genuine Westralian.

The Murchison in 1887

William Frear Forster & Frank Wittenoom

ISBN 978-0-85905-716-5, (New, 2018), A4, Indexed, 57 pp, 170 grams

$30.00* + POST

The newly created stations in the Upper Murchison became a byword for enterprise and have remained important pastoral properties to the present. A visit by a group of government officials and business people recorded much that was otherwise lost.

Nitrate Nomads

by Daryl Binning

ISBN 13:978-0-6482274-0-3, (New, 2019), 160x240mm, heavily illustrated B&W, 39 colour plates, French flaps, 380pp, 1.2kg, $60.00* 

The exciting years of Allan Jones circuit pictures and other south-west showmen. An entertaining and highly interesting history of the early picture show business.

Incidents, biographies, film stills, will bring back memories of those who attended the bush shows in the south west halls. This will become a classic for film historians.

Available directly from the author, Daryl Binning

20 Norton Ridge, Winthrop, WA 6150

Phone (61)/(08) 9310 3377

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nor’ West O’ West

Tales of Old Onslow

Herbert E. Riemann

ISBN 978-0-85905-728-8, (2018, R + New, 2018), 160 x 240mm, illustrated, 182 pp, 450 grams

$40.00 + POST

Short stories of Onslow and the Ashburton set in the early 1900s. Riemann was judged the best short story writer in Australia in the 1950s. These are some of his best, set in the Old North of pearlers, prospectors, police and pastoralists. 

Not Only Knowledge

The making of a College of Advanced Education in Western Australia

John Renner and Sybe Jongeling

ISBN 978-0-85905-732-5, (New, 2018), 210x250mm, illustrated, 209pp, 510 grams

$45.00* + POST

The history of a unique institution, The WA Secondary Teachers College and the Nedlands College of Advanced Education. 1967-1981.

Nullarbor Aboriginal Vocabularies and Ethnographic Notes.

by Daisy Bates

ISBN 978-0-85905-766-0, (1918 R 2019), A5, 18pp, 35 grams, $15.00* + POST

Okinawans Reaching Australia

by John Lamb.

ISBN 978-0-85905-747-9, (New, 2019), A4, 142 pp, heavily illustrated, indexed, 400 grams, $40.00* + POST

This publication fills a large gap in research into aspects of the pearl-shell fishing industry and Japanese immigration to Australia in general. Through careful research, and with over 200 photographs, John provides a comprehensive record of all Okinawans known to have ever reached Australia up until the early 1960s. He fleshes out how and why Okinawans came to be chosen over mainland Japanese in the post-war period and challenges some of the misconceptions that have arisen around their role and performance. Through identifying the stories of many individuals, including some who spent most of their working lives in Australia, he brings to life this little-known history of northern Australia. In detailing the deaths of some forty men and a half dozen births, he creates a very detailed picture of their circumstances and creates a valuable record for their families and descendants, as well as for those interested to understand more about indentured Asian labour during the time of restricted immigration.

We have only published a small run of this book, so please be early if you are interested. 

Over the Plates

Edited by Peter J. Bridge and Graeme Blake 

Each 45-53 pages, A4, ~170 grams each. Total weight 6 vols = 1kg, $25.00 each volume.

Panning Off. ISBN 978-0-85905-700-4., Weight Chasing. ISBN 978-0-85905-699-1., The Ore Bin. ISBN 978-0-85905-696-0., Retorted Gold. ISBN 978-0-85905-695-3., In the Sands. ISBN 978-0-85905-698-4., The Old State Battery. ISBN 978-0-85905-697-7.

Six volumes of the best true stories and reminiscences of the early goldfields from the 1890s to the 1930s. 

The Perils of Pearling, its Pleasures and Profits

Broome in 1910

Charles “Vagrant” Collins

ISBN 978-0-85905-736-3, (New, 2018), A4, illustrated, indexed, 32pp, 100 grams

$22.00* + POST

An incisive examination of Broome in its heyday.

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.

Red Dust in the Blood

by Antony Spring

ISBN 978-0-85905-706-6, (New 2018), A4, 291 pages, illustrated, colour, 800 grams

$60.00* + POST

Available direct from the author A.L. Spring, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The story of the Spring family of Metters fame and the history of Roy Hill Station. Covers all the people, incidents and development up to the sale of the station to the Kennedys in 1972. An important record of the Pilbara.