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About our books
Our publications are professionally bound and printed by Tableland Printing Service, perfect bound on quality paper, with coloured cover designs/photographs, except for ‘Ravenshoe Mud Maps’ which is printed by Lotsa Print on buff 20gsm paper with coloured cover. Our work with words has been stimulated by weekly meetings where we discuss writing and design our own exercises and courses. We have also arranged workshops with known writers, organised book launches and attended those by other authors. Many of us review local publications for newspapers. We encourage new members to strike out and develop the written styles they prefer, and offer ideas and help if asked |
The Ravenshoe Historical Society initiated this publication to mark the centenary of Federation in 2001. The book is divided into seven chapters, each covering related events that led to the establishment of Ravenshoe and the surrounding district to 2001.
Material such as photographs and archival documents were provided by the Historical Society and supplemented by interviews with descendants of pioneers who opened the area for settlement and worked in the various fields covered in chapter form.
The development of the timber industry based on an abundance of red cedar – the ‘Red Gold’ referred to in the title – was one of the first viable commercial enterprises. A dairying industry included a local butter factory. A railway was built to transport timber, people and stock. World War One intervened. Services such as a post office, police force, ambulance service, schools, newspaper, electricity and churches were established. The Depression, World War Two, business and social life, music and drama, Tully Falls hydro-electricity project, the building of Koombooloomba Dam and the effect of World Heritage listing of the rainforest are all covered.
Families who played important roles in timber selection for milling and transporting the product tell of their experiences. The residents affected by the impact
of World Heritage Listing, closure of the railway, and rationalisation of the dairying industry tell their stories.
The first edition of this popular history has sold out and a re-print is being contemplated.
Price - $23 (when available, the Web Site will show it), includes postage and packing.
Size of book – A4 format, 103 pages, amply illustrated with maps and photographs. |
‘Ravenshoe Mud Maps’ was the Writers Group’s first publication. It was assembled from first-hand accounts by local residents about interesting places off the usual tourist map which visitors and residents could access by car and 4-wheel drive vehicles, or on foot. Its success may be judged by the fact we have recently sold out our sixth edition and a revised re-print is being drawn up.
The 48-page edition is sturdily printed as a guide to be carried while exploring. Copies have been sited as far away as Western Australia. Revision is needed with each re-print as routes and destinations disappear or alter, are removed by land owners or authorities, or simply become inaccessible, so new ones may be added.
Price $14 (when available – web site will be updated) – includes postage and packing
Size: A5 format, 48 pages, amply illustrated with maps, photographs and drawings. |
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Crossing Boundaries
Launched in October of 2009, Crossing Boundaries is an anthology of works by
sixteen writers of the Ravenshoe area. From personal memoirs of
coming-of-age on a huge cattle property to a light and whimsical poem about
a cat, the pages in between are filled with laughter and tears, with horror
and heartache, with drama and humour. The poetry ranges from the flowing
rhythm of traditional bush poetry to unstructured free verse, encompassing a
wide range of subjects and emotions. Prose takes form in both fiction and
non-fiction, and some perhaps a mixture of both. From tales of murder and
theft to a one-act play, each writer brings something of self to his or her
writings. Imaginative, creative, inspired, Crossing Boundaries belongs on
every reader’s bookshelf. “Life presents boundaries. These can
restrict, or may be challenged and crossed.”
$20 - includes postage and packing
Size – A5, number of pages 134 |
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Ravenshoe Backtracks
A guide to local walking tracks
Stories from the descendants of the pioneers who made them
‘Ravenshoe Backtracks’ is a guide to Misty Mountains Tracks accessible in the Ravenshoe district. Each track outlined is accompanied by the story of its origin from a descendant of the men and women who carved it out of the scrub.
The sharing by these descendants of their photographs, maps and documented history, plus their willingness to discuss their lives in often extraordinary circumstances made the writing of the guide possible. These tracks were first made accessible to hikers after a C.S.I.R.O. survey of the many remnants of original routes found under scrub regrowth. Some gave access to dairy farms, some to traditional areas on the coast for the annual migration by the Jirrbal and other aboriginal people of the highlands, some followed these pathways as did early explorers, others were cut out to provide access to timber cases drawn up by the Forestry Department for logging by the timber industry.
The many people who made and used the tracks all contributed to a fascinating history of one of Queensland’s remote areas of pioneering.
Price $20, published 2007 (price includes postage and packing)
Size: A5, number of pages 140, amply illustrated with diagrams, photographs and maps.
Access maps to trailheads and advice on track conditions are available from the Ravenshoe Visitor Centre, Moore St. |
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Ordering Information
Thanks for your support in purchasing our work.
Payment is by cheque made payable to Ravenshoe Writers Group and addressed to:
The Secretary
Ravenshoe Writers Group
P.O. Box 414
Ravenshoe, Queensland, 4888
Once we receive your cheque we will post your book. Postage and handling costs are for Australian customers only. Postage and handling for overseas customers will vary but we will let you know the amount when we respond to your order enquiry.
Kind regards
Ravenshoe Writers Group. | |
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