The Gunnedah Shire Library has a dedicated local history collection of approximately 150 items including reports, self published documents, and books such as The Final Curtain: Triumph and Tragedy, Hope and Heartbreak in the Life of Gunnedah, and We Are the Dead: Gunnedah's Great War by local historians.

The collection also contains books such as The Red Chief by Ion Idriess, histories of various public schools in the regions, and other books in which Gunnedah references are made such as Greek Cafés and Milk Bars of Australia.

Some of these books are available for loan and others can be read within the library.

If you have an interest in local history, or are thinking about tracing your family history, come along to the library on the second Wednesday of each month at 10.30am and meet with the Local and Family History Group. Their next meeting is on 12 May, and they will be delighted to assist you in getting started with your research.

Read also:

Spotlight: books

We have just received a delivery of more than 100 new large print books ready to be enjoyed by readers.

Did you know that Agatha Christie also wrote under the name Mary Westmacott? The Rose and the Yew Tree is a book Agatha wrote under this pseudonym and tells the story of Isabella Charteris, aristocrat, Rupert St Loo, WWI soldier, and John Gabriel, ambitious politician. A great read by a master author!

The Philosopher's Daughter by Alison Booth ranges from London 1891 to outback Australia and is described as "delicately-handled historical drama". Jennifer Bohnet has written A French Affair which recounts Belinda Marshall's life from teenager in Brittany, life in England, and then back to France in "a heart-warming story of love, family and friendship".

Spotlight: programs and events

The Panorama booklets have now moved on to complete the rest of their tour. But don't worry if you missed looking at these great works of arts from people in the North West region, as the Gunnedah booklets will return in October. They will be displayed at the art gallery with associated works of art, before being returned to their compilers.

The booklets are a great record of personal and local history and how people were affected by the COVID shutdown in 2020.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: