Cairns Modern Pioneers 1950-2000: 50 Stories in 50 Years
InHouse Publishing Bookstore
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$49.95
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How does a blip on the national map become a vibrant multicultural city?
It is 1950. Five years have passed since the Cairns region served as a military town during the Pacific phase of World War II. Residents who fled south of the ‘Brisbane Line’ have forged new lives, leaving just 15,000 residents in the Cairns region.
The catalyst for change arises when Italian vice-consul Elvio Meoli and the Canegrowers Council successfully appeal to the Commonwealth government to allow Southern Europeans to migrate to the region to work in the ailing Sugar industry. But what motivates ‘New Australians’ to leave their homeland and embark on a new life in a foreign land? Their resilience and courage in the face of the unknown is truly inspiring.
Wet season flooding, cyclones and shortages create havoc for the Far North.
The air ambulance Rapide aircraft is unsuitable for carrying out rescues in remote communities.
First Nations people and those of colour live on the fringes of society,
at the whim and behest of the government. What will it take for these people to stand up and be counted? What does the region have to offer?
What sets us apart?
Cairns Modern Pioneers 1950–2000 is a collection of narrative non-fiction stories based on interviews with local residents who, despite environmental threats and the tyranny of distance, demonstrate remarkable resilience, tenacity, and vision.
Product Details:
Format: Perfect Bound
Size: 203mm x 254mm
Page Count: 320pp
Well, I’ve certainly been enjoying the book. It really is so beautifully done in every area. My friend Jim had a look especially the sport section and found names of people he knew and played baseball against years ago when he was more of a youngster! How is that? Hard to believe but true.
Well I have just finished reading your book. I am most impressed with the depth of research and the number of people you have interviewed. More significantly the way you have been able to organise the material so that it supports your argument. As far as I can tell you have managed to fit everything in that was relevant to that 50 year period and your argument that it represented a period of modern pioneering. I thought I knew a lot about Cairns' history but you have unearthed a lot of material that I did not know. It will be a reference book for that part of the city's history, especially with the addition of an index of people's names.
It's a pity you didn't do a PhD in history. You would be a Doctor by now.
It is well documented, but has the lightness of individual recollections that personalises each section. So many of the contributors I know or knew, and some I am related to! It is not laborious in detail but keeps one engaged… and I am not wanting to finish it in a hurry. I am savouring every section.
You have made a clever and apt breakdown of the 50 stories/topics.
Also I love the great end flaps. They serve as great markers whenever my reading is interrupted!
You have created a marvellous record for locals to treasure, and newcomers to discover.
Thank you very much and well done!