I am a farmer, teacher, lover of history, and a proud Australian. My husband’s and my ancestors came over from England and Ireland, drawn by the promise of opportunity in this land. Most became farmers who worked the land to support their families and their communities. Purpose, hard work, and resilience still abound in our family. Today, we have the sixth generation still working the land—it runs in our blood.
My 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co.' book series began when an old-timer (my father) built a replica coach at Liston, N.S.W., as a nod to a bygone era. Assisting with the research led me on a journey and a lifelong commitment to sharing the stories of Australia's pioneers and other individuals who shaped this great country. Through unyielding courage, determination, hard work, and resilience, modern Australia was forged as mail and passengers were delivered across the land.
Join me on Cobb’s 'box seat' as we travel through tales of daily life, facing challenges such as floods, fires, coach accidents, bail-ups by bushrangers, and more. Amusing anecdotes are also included for your enjoyment.
You may wonder, What sets this book series apart? To highlight the positive impact of this great enterprise and the postal service on modern Australia, I have carefully compiled writings from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, letting 'history speak for itself.' My hope is that the excerpts I have chosen pay homage to the original stories and people during the times of Cobb and Co.
The 'Along the Tracks of Cobb and Co. 'book series, with its unique publications, has been recognised for its historical significance. My research has revealed that meaning and accuracy have sometimes been lost in the retelling of the Cobb and Co. story. To ensure authenticity, I have preserved the original spelling, punctuation, and grammar in my books. The descriptive language remains a highlight throughout the series, enhancing the narrative of change over time. Additionally, the evolution of photography—including the availability and quality of past photographs—is evident.
Books in the Series:
* * * * *
Special thanks to everyone who has assisted me in my journey of researching and compiling Australian history during the times of Cobb and Co., including Mr John Osbourne OAM for his enthusiasm and support of my research, along with Mr John Elliot (Writer/Photographer), Mr David Bolton, Mr Steve Cooper (Manager, Operations at Cobb+Co Museum, Toowoomba), Mr Ray Green (Cobb & Co. enthusiast), Mr Bruce Rutherford (Descendent of James Rutherford), Mr Norm Rutherford (Descendent of James Rutherford), Mr. Christopher Morgan (Abercrombie House, Bathurst) and Mrs Mary Fletcher (Bathurst District Historical Society).
My 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co.' book series began when an old-timer (my father) built a replica coach at Liston, N.S.W., as a nod to a bygone era. Assisting with the research led me on a journey and a lifelong commitment to sharing the stories of Australia's pioneers and other individuals who shaped this great country. Through unyielding courage, determination, hard work, and resilience, modern Australia was forged as mail and passengers were delivered across the land.
Join me on Cobb’s 'box seat' as we travel through tales of daily life, facing challenges such as floods, fires, coach accidents, bail-ups by bushrangers, and more. Amusing anecdotes are also included for your enjoyment.
You may wonder, What sets this book series apart? To highlight the positive impact of this great enterprise and the postal service on modern Australia, I have carefully compiled writings from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, letting 'history speak for itself.' My hope is that the excerpts I have chosen pay homage to the original stories and people during the times of Cobb and Co.
The 'Along the Tracks of Cobb and Co. 'book series, with its unique publications, has been recognised for its historical significance. My research has revealed that meaning and accuracy have sometimes been lost in the retelling of the Cobb and Co. story. To ensure authenticity, I have preserved the original spelling, punctuation, and grammar in my books. The descriptive language remains a highlight throughout the series, enhancing the narrative of change over time. Additionally, the evolution of photography—including the availability and quality of past photographs—is evident.
Books in the Series:
- ‘Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The Great Northern Road’ (Tenterfield to Warwick) Stories from the district between Tenterfield and Warwick, including Stanthorpe. Featured in this book is the 'Coach and Collectable Museum' in the small village of Liston, N.S.W.
- ‘Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The Western Run’ (Brisbane, Toowoomba, Roma & Charleville) This book continues the story of Cobb and Co. as it reached into outback Queensland. This book is in memory of Kenneth Victor & Mavis Rosa Johnson. The Johnson Brothers, and their father Henry John Johnson, were among the early pioneers in the district of Roma, a change station along the western track. Other change stations along the western run of Cobb and Co., from Brisbane included Drayton, Toowoomba, Dalby, Condamine, Yuelba, Surat, Roma and Charleville. Featured in this book is the tourist attraction 'The Big Rig', Roma, where the Johnson's old slab hut is now located.
- ‘Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The New South Wales Headquarters’ (In & Around Bathurst) This book explores the history of Australia during the era when Cobb and Co. expanded into New South Wales, with James Rutherford ‘setting a cracking pace.’ Featuring 'Abercrombie House,' an Australian heritage treasure in Bathurst, N.S.W., the book also accurately identifies many of the proprietors of this esteemed firm from 1853-1929.
- 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - Cobb’s Coach Drivers' Make your way through stories of bushrangers, floods, coach accidents, amusing anecdotes and the like, with a focus on the men, and the occasional woman, who handled the ribbons—at this stage over 800 drivers have been identified and my research continues. Each driver has referenced information that reflects that they have driven for Cobb and Co.
- 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - Back to the Beginning' (Victoria & the Goldfields) This book allows the reader to travel through 'Melbourne the Marvellous' and beyond during the gold rush years, while identifying Cobb and Co. coaching lines across Victoria, the place where Cobb and Co. first commenced. Take a longer stop at Glenrowan, where the demise of The Kelly Gang occurred in 1880.
- 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The Roaring Days ! A collection of the amazing anecdotes and poems I have located throughout the last five years of research.
* * * * *
Special thanks to everyone who has assisted me in my journey of researching and compiling Australian history during the times of Cobb and Co., including Mr John Osbourne OAM for his enthusiasm and support of my research, along with Mr John Elliot (Writer/Photographer), Mr David Bolton, Mr Steve Cooper (Manager, Operations at Cobb+Co Museum, Toowoomba), Mr Ray Green (Cobb & Co. enthusiast), Mr Bruce Rutherford (Descendent of James Rutherford), Mr Norm Rutherford (Descendent of James Rutherford), Mr. Christopher Morgan (Abercrombie House, Bathurst) and Mrs Mary Fletcher (Bathurst District Historical Society).
Thank you for your interest in letting Australian history 'speak for itself.' By purchasing this book, you contribute directly to my ongoing efforts to uncover and preserve the rich tapestry of our nation's past, ensuring that future generations can learn from and appreciate the stories that have shaped our country.
I acknowledge that this Book Series only fleetingly touches upon the rich, cultural history of Australia’s First Nations Peoples and their interactions with others during this period of colonisation.