I am a farmer, teacher, history enthusiast, and a proud Australian. My husband’s and my ancestors journeyed from England and Ireland, drawn by the promise of opportunity in this vast land. Many became farmers, working the land to support their families and communities—a tradition that remains strong, with six generations having worked the land. Purpose, hard work, and resilience run in our blood.
My ‘Along the tracks of Cobb and Co.’ Book Series began as a tribute to a bygone era, when my father—an old-timer—built a replica Cobb and Co. coach in Liston, N.S.W. Assisting in the research ignited a lifelong passion for preserving and sharing the untold stories of Australia’s pioneers—the men and women whose courage, determination, and sheer grit helped shape this nation.
Join me on Cobb’s ‘box seat’ as we journey through gripping tales of daily life, facing challenges such as floods, fires, coach accidents, and daring bushranger ‘Bail ups!’ Alongside these dramatic moments, you’ll uncover amusing anecdotes that bring humour and warmth to the untamed spirit of Australia’s past.
You may wonder—What sets this series apart? To honor Cobb and Co.’s legacy and highlight its impact on Australia’s postal system and transport history, I have meticulously compiled authentic writings from 1854–1929, allowing history to speak for itself. These excerpts preserve the voices of the past, paying tribute to the pioneers and storytellers of Cobb and Co.’s golden era.
Recognised for its historical significance, this book series challenges misinterpretations of Cobb and Co.’s legacy, ensuring accuracy and authenticity. Original spelling, punctuation, and grammar have been preserved, letting readers experience history exactly as it was written. The evolution of photography—from its early beginnings to clearer, more refined snapshots of the past—adds another layer to this immersive journey.
Whether you’re a history lover, an adventurer at heart, or simply eager to experience Australia’s rich heritage, the ‘Along the tracks of Cobb and Co.’ Book Series offers a unique and unforgettable collection that brings real stories, raw resilience, and an era of unyielding courage to life.
Now step into history, journey along the tracks, and discover the legends who shaped modern Australia!
Books in the Series:
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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 as a tribute to a bygone era, when my father—an old-timer—built a replica Cobb and Co. coach in Liston, N.S.W. Assisting in the research ignited a lifelong passion for preserving and sharing the untold stories of Australia’s pioneers—the men and women whose courage, determination, and sheer grit helped shape this nation.
Join me on Cobb’s ‘box seat’ as we journey through gripping tales of daily life, facing challenges such as floods, fires, coach accidents, and daring bushranger ‘Bail ups!’ Alongside these dramatic moments, you’ll uncover amusing anecdotes that bring humour and warmth to the untamed spirit of Australia’s past.
You may wonder—What sets this series apart? To honor Cobb and Co.’s legacy and highlight its impact on Australia’s postal system and transport history, I have meticulously compiled authentic writings from 1854–1929, allowing history to speak for itself. These excerpts preserve the voices of the past, paying tribute to the pioneers and storytellers of Cobb and Co.’s golden era.
Recognised for its historical significance, this book series challenges misinterpretations of Cobb and Co.’s legacy, ensuring accuracy and authenticity. Original spelling, punctuation, and grammar have been preserved, letting readers experience history exactly as it was written. The evolution of photography—from its early beginnings to clearer, more refined snapshots of the past—adds another layer to this immersive journey.
Whether you’re a history lover, an adventurer at heart, or simply eager to experience Australia’s rich heritage, the ‘Along the tracks of Cobb and Co.’ Book Series offers a unique and unforgettable collection that brings real stories, raw resilience, and an era of unyielding courage to life.
Now step into history, journey along the tracks, and discover the legends who shaped modern Australia!
Books in the Series:
- ‘Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The Great Northern Road’ (Tenterfield to Warwick) Journey through the historic district between Tenterfield and Warwick, including Stanthorpe. This book features the ‘Coach and Collectable Museum’ in the quaint village of Liston, N.S.W., offering a glimpse into the legacy of Cobb and Co.
- ‘Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The Western Run’ (Brisbane, Toowoomba, Roma & Charleville) Follow Cobb and Co.’s expansion into outback Queensland, where pioneers braved the elements to forge vital transport routes. This book honours 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. Explore key stops along the route, including Drayton, Toowoomba, Dalby, Condamine, Yuelba, Surat, Roma, and Charleville, with a spotlight on ‘The Big Rig’ in Roma, where the Johnson family's historic slab hut is now located.
- ‘Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The New South Wales Headquarters’ (In & Around Bathurst) Dive into the thriving era when Cobb and Co. expanded across New South Wales, led by the visionary James Rutherford, who “set a cracking pace.” This book showcases the iconic Abercrombie House, an Australian heritage treasure in Bathurst, and accurately identifies many of Cobb and Co.’s proprietors from 1853 to 1929.
- 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. — Back to the Beginning' (Victoria & the Goldfields) Travel back to ‘Melbourne the Marvellous’ during the gold rush, tracing Cobb and Co.’s early coaching lines across Victoria, where the company first took shape. Make a longer stop in Glenrowan, where the final stand of The Kelly Gang unfolded in 1880.
- 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - Cobb’s Coach Drivers' Step into the lives of the fearless men—and the occasional woman—who took the reins. This book presents stories of bushrangers, floods, coach accidents, and thrilling encounters, chronicling over 800 identified Cobb and Co. drivers, with ongoing research uncovering even more.
- 'Along the tracks of Cobb and Co. - The Roaring Days !' A collection of remarkable anecdotes and poetry, unearthed throughout five years of dedicated research. This book brings to life the laughter, hardships, and triumphs of Cobb and Co.’s golden era.
* * * * *
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.