Keith shared his journey of working on the book through a power point presentation of selected highlights.

“It was by far my biggest ever project,” he said.

After 18 months of research the book had a total of 20 chapters and 210 pages. 

“This book showcases the life of James Padley,” Keith said.

The passionate author was able to complete his research on James Padley through connecting with descendants. 

“It’s been so exciting, the things that have come out of each connection with a Padley family member,” he said.

During his research Keith wrote a letter to the editor at the Parkes Champion Post asking for help from the surrounding community.

“I was looking for answers, so I hoped I would get some,” he said.

As a result of asking for information Keith was able to connect with Jean Crook, James Padley’s great niece who also attended the book launch with her husband Jim and son Matthew.

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Jean’s mother was Eva Freeman, daughter of James’ brother George. 

She had possession of her mother's tin trunk full of old photos, books and James Padley’s black notebook.

“I had not looked at that trunk for 18 years until I saw Keith’s article in the Parkes paper,” she said. 

Mrs Crook also said Keith wanted to know if she had any documents of Padley family information and she did. 

Keith said he was glad Jean had not thrown the trunk out.

“What a gold mine that has been toward my research,” he said.

He also said that one of the greatest treasures of the trunk was a little black notebook.

“James Padley’s notebook had 366 hand numbered pages from 1902 to 1918. He used it when he got to Lithgow, right up until his death,” he said.

After the book was officially launched, Jean Crook announced the hand over of Eva Freeman's collection to the Lithgow Library.

“The information needs to be documented somewhere and we really do appreciate Keith’s effort, time and trouble,” she said.

Lithgow City Councillor Cassandra Coleman was there to support the hand-over of the historic collection.

“This adds to the community, thank you to the Padley descendants for bringing it. We’ll take very good care of it and do wonderful things with it,” she said.

The restoration and re-dedication of James Padley’s memorial was held at Hassans Walls Lookout on Saturday, October 20 to commemorate the centenary of his death on October 20, 1918.

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