Feb 4, 2025 | *Featured books, Adelaide, Australian, Design, History, History showcase, Social Sciences \ Politics \ Government, South Australia, Sport
From social and cultural impact, to sport and the famous Bay to Birdwood rally, the early automobiles were a driving factor in shaped South Australia’s vibrant history
Researched and curated by Adelaide-based historian Richard Maerschel email:
[email protected]
Printed mid-2026 for publishing distribution late 2026
Jan 30, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, History, Medical, Memoir, South Australia
ISBN 978-1-923265-90-5
PAPERBACK
The Flinders Department Of Surgery
Reflections of the early years
The Flinders Department of Surgery: Reflections on Early Years by James Toouli offers an intimate glimpse into the formative years of a unique institution in Australian medicine. This collection of reflections from those present at the inception of the Flinders Department of Surgery provides readers with an understanding of how the department evolved into a vital part of the South Australian community.
In the early years, Flinders Medical Centre was distinct in its approach, where academic heads were also clinical leaders, fostering a culture of innovation in research and teaching. Through personal memories and experiences, this book captures the spirit of collaboration and ambition that defined the department. James Toouli’s introduction acknowledges the subjective nature of memory,
embracing the imperfections and personal nuances that make these reflections both rich and authentic.
Featuring contributions from those who helped shape the department, including a poignant chapter from the late Jim Watts, the book serves not only as a historical record but as a tribute to the visionaries who laid the foundation for what Flinders would become. It is a testament to a golden era, reminiscent of a modern-day Camelot, where ideals flourished, and the seeds of excellence were sown.
About the Author
JAMES WAS BORN IN Limassol Cyprus and came to Melbourne with his parents and sister when 9 years old. He graduated in
Medicine at Monash University in 1970, FRACS 1977 and PhD in Surgery in 1979. He came to Adelaide as the first trainee registrar in Surgery at Flinders medical Centre and was on the resident staff when Flinders Medical Centre opened in 1976.
James was appointed as Lecturer in Surgery in 1982 and held academic positions to promotion in 1989 as Professor of Surgery.
He took over as head of General Surgery in 1986, renamed the unit Gastrointestinal Surgery Unit and remained its head until 2000.
During his professional career he held several leadership positions in Surgery nationally and internationally. He led a successful
research programme that was well funded by NHMRC and other funding agencies. Consequently, numerous surgeons and researchers from Australia and overseas obtained their research training in his unit, and many have become leaders in Surgery.
James also has made contributions to medical and surgical education being in the forefront of several changes in methods of teaching and assessment. He has initiated several training programmes nationally and internationally for which he was recognized as a member of the Order of Australia.
James is married to Helen and has two children and five grandchildren. He lives in Adelaide and on his retirement from surgery continues to enjoy the very active arts scene in Adelaide.
Jan 30, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, History, New South Wales, Nostalgia, Sydney
ISBN 978-1-923265-73-8
HARDCOVER
An historical and nostalgic look at 50 years of interstate road transport on the Hume Highway
Join the Author on this nostalgic trip down Memory Lane. Read about the Pioneers of road transport on the Hume. The Transport Companies and their Legendary Drivers. The Old Time Roadhouses, the Larrikans and the Villains. Come along for a trip down the real Hume Highway with me. Read the true story of the Razorback and Yass Blockades. Share the humorous tales of old school rules and more
Jan 28, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Autobiography, Biography, Family History, Memoir, Victoria
ISBN 978-1-923156-69-2
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ISBN: 978-1-923386-42-6
EBOOK
Beginning with a picture of life in Eastern Europe in the early 20th century and the effect of WWI on the family fortunes, this story details the life of a young Hungarian girl from her origin in a small town, through the disruption of WWII and the Holocaust.
During these turbulent years, a large number of highly improbable events – often with split-second timing – and some very
honourable people, contributed to the whole family’s survival and its emigration to Australia where the author pursued a long and worthwhile career and an interesting retirement.
Nov 15, 2024 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, History, Language \ Culture \ Linguistics, Reference, South Australia
ISBN 978-1-923333-42-0
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The Silent Witness To The Events And People Of Birdwood
Blumberg Hill is the fourth in a projected series of seven books focussing on some South Australians – why they came, what they and their descendants did, and why the State is better for their achievements.
Author Richard Maerschel’s aim is to shine a light onto several unknowns, to propose answers to some hard questions, and to correct a few misconceptions.
His subjects are mainly 19th century German-speaking migrants, their relations with Anglo-Saxons and Irish, and rural transport and communications. For this series so far Richard has written over 800 pages with hundreds of references, photos and maps.
Available week of 18th November 2024
Oct 23, 2024 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Family History, History, Victoria
ISBN 978-1-923333-26-0
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ISBN 978-1-923333-27-7
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A new life in the Colony of Victoria
Four brothers and a sister emigrated from Ireland to the Colony of Victoria between 1853 and 1858. They came as part of the gold rush, but not because of the lure of gold. They came to farm the new pastoral and agricultural estates. Life in Northern Ireland
during the early 19th Century, provided limited opportunities for families. After years of hard work as agricultural labourers on the large estates of the far-off colony, they became successful landowners. Their children were born as first-generation Victorians who
continued in the traditional trades. However, some embarked on new careers as novel opportunities became available after Federation.
About the Author
Barry J Conn is a fourth generation Australian who grew up on a wheat and sheep farm at Wail, in the Wimmera district of western Victoria. He was briefly a mathematics and science secondary school teacher at the Horsham High School before becoming a botanist employed in Bulolo and Lae, Papua New Guinea, and then Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. He published many scientific papers, including the ‘Trees of Papua New Guinea’ (three volumes) and one children’s book, ‘My brother Neville is a pest.’ He retired as Principal Research Scientist from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney in 2015 and, together with his wife, now lives in rural Victoria.
