by Emma Ballingall

Two local authors recently launched their books at the Old Shire Hall in Warragul.

In time for History Month celebrations, Josephine Dickson of Warragul released "Warragul Why? because 'Mud Means Money'" and Ross Dawson of Warragul released "Old Sale Road, Our Gippsland History" in front of family, friends and local history enthusiasts.
The joint book launch came about through good timing, with both seeking to launch their books and deciding to join together.
"In a funny sort of way, they tie in together," Josephine said.
For Ross, the history of stage coaches travelling along Old Sale Rd captivated him during COVID restrictions, resulting in his first book.
The road played a pivotal role in local history, he said. In those days, Gippsland was only accessible from Melbourne via Old Sale Rd or south on McDonalds Track.
Ross said without this road, early settlers who bravely travelled along it and the help of the Aboriginal people, local towns would have taken many more years to develop.
"These people and stories are not recognised," Ross said. "It's a snapshot taken in time."
"Our task now is to recognise their time and the difficulties they overcame for it to now be our time."
"I admire the courage and determination of coach drivers and people who manned the various stops along the way," he added. "It just captured my imagination."
Ross praised the many talented people who had assisted him to write the history book.
"It wasn't in my mind to write a book, but I have learnt so much," he said. "It's been a lovely experience."
Josephine has written a few books including "Warragul, From Then to Now". The book, released in 2020, sold more than 250 copies and details the town's history from 1876 to 2020.
Her new 96-page book, "Warragul Why? because 'Mud Means Money'" contains 23 stories of early settlers who helped develop the township.
The lives of both male and female pioneers are explored by Josephine, who utilises years of research as part of Warragul and District Historical Society.
Drawing upon personal reflections in diaries, memoirs or interviews in newspapers, she said the book was inspired from the story of her great-grandmother Rebecca and had "satisfied my need as to how people moved into this area."
It sets the scene of pioneers blazing their own tracks through deep, damp and impenetrable bush whilst contending with unknown sounds such as yowling dingoes, weird noises of koalas and squelching of giant earthworms.
Josephine hopes, that by telling their stories, it will demonstrate "what can be done with perseverance and hard work."
"We honour them for what they endured, how our town and surrounding country have developed and the more prosperous future passed on to the following generations," she said.
Both books are now available from the Warragul and District Historical Society museum at the Old Shire Hall.
The museum is open Thursdays from 10am to 2pm and the second and fourth Sunday of the month from 2pm to 4pm.