Book reviews from Jacko

"A great subject. The first street (originally a dirt road) in Australia. And from which a million stories could be told or otherwise gleaned. The text traces an abbreviated early history of events subsequent to the establishment of a settlement at Sydney Cove by Cptn. Arthur Phillips in 1788, supported by line drawings of the early years and photographs after about the 1850's. The book is a good introduction to the subject, for it is evident that the author, Robyn Howard, put considerable research into her work. But one is left wondering as to how much of her efforts ended up on the cutting room floor. There is so much more to flesh out. The reviewer is personally indebted to the author for reproduction of the line drawing on p.55 showing the name Campbell on a building at the corner of George and Park Sts. John A Campbell was in to-day's terms a Chemist. He emigrated from Scotland as a ship's surgeon. About 1850, he employed a housemaid, Elizabeth Goeghegan, an Irish orphan (Co Westmneath, potato famine). Elizabeth and her sister Mary and 4000 other famine orphan girl are now honoured by a commemorative wall at the Hyde Park Barracks. His son John later married Elizabeth. In part, that started mother's side of our Australian family. History does not exist in a vacuum and if the reader can find as much information for inspiration as the reviewer, and I'm sure they would, then perusal or purchase will truly reward them. History does not exist in a vacuum"