IF you’re wanting to shop locally for something ‘made locally’ this Christmas then there’s been a timely release of books and calendars by local authors, historians and artists.
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It’s not only gifts available but collectors items of timelines in our day to day life.
The local talent was highlighted last week when self taught Lithgow researcher and historian John Barnes released his most ambitious project yet.
John, whose artistic efforts have been well known at exhibitions, has spent years compiling material for his book ‘A Photograph and Art Sketchbook of Historic Lithgow and the Surrounding District’.
And if the title’s a mouthful, so too is the book — all 242 pages of it, professionally published in Lithgow by Industrial Printing.
It has been an instant success.
Black Gold Cabins at Wallerawang was packed for a book launch last week and the enthusiasm was such that after just a few days John is already contemplating a second print run.
“I was overwhelmed by the demand,” he said.
“It was amazing.”
The book is full of local historical facts and figures, photographs from historical archives and the artist’s own sketches and paintings — the culmination of 30 years of development.
The book is available at Black Gold Cabins, Readers Heaven and Lithgow Visitors Centre at $39.95.
BUT John’s is not the only book on local history now available.
Portland resident Harry Holland has self published a book on the history of Portland entitled simply ‘A History of Portland to 1953’.
The book actually includes edited versions of 22 articles relevant to Portland published in the Lithgow Mercury between June and December 1953.
“There seems to be little written history of Portland apart from heritage studies of the cement works buildings,” says Harry.
He has attempted to rectify that shortfall in his booklet available through selected newsagents.
And Raglan resident Keith Painter has also recently released his latest book based on research into the ‘chert’ mining industry entitled ‘The Chert Bubble; 1920s Chert Ventures at Mt Victoria (Volume One)’.
The book is the result of 21 months of investigation that included access to Lithgow Mercury archives.
It too is available from Readers Heaven.
THEN there’s the calendars.
Award winning Lithgow artist Garry Pettit has released his latest calendar of oil paintings of locations around the district.
This year he features his father, Ike Pettit, now retired to the North Coast, on the cover page.
Mt Victoria photographer Ian Brown has also produced his annual calendar showcasing the scenery of the region.
The 15 images range across the Gardens of Stone, Jenolan Caves, Kanangra Walls in the west to Grose Valley, Jamison Valley and Thirlmere Lakes.
Now in its fifth year the locally designed and produced calendar is also available at the Lithgow Visitors Centre.
