A huge crowd gathered at The Hughenden, for this wonderful launch, celebrating Helen Laidlaw’s 20 year journey researching, interviewing, discovering and finally writing ‘The Gardener’s Gamble.’
I had the privileged of addressing the audience acknowledging Helen’s commitment and the years she visited The Hughenden Woollahra, as part of her reserach.
Author and historian on history of settlement in Australia, Maggie MacKellor, spoke powerfully about the importance of this book.
The story is true and has never been told before.
An old rhyme …. describes some of the characters in this story:-
Quaker, tailor, soldier, rich man, farmer, lawyer and thief.
The life stories of the children of a Lincolnshire gardener John Dawson and his wife who migrated in 1835 to Australia reveal the social history of 19th Century Australia.
The launch at The Hughenden was fitting, as it was the home of Dr Frederick Harrison Quaife and his wife Esther Davy the grand daughter of John Dawson. Dr Frederick Harrison Quaife was known for his musical talents and The Hughenden featured a grand piano. He performed in the Sydney Amateur Orchestra. He was also admired for his medical practice, an X-ray pioneer,a medical examiner at Sydney University and so much more.
‘The Gardener’s Gamble’ is an engrossing story revealing the famous and infamous, artists, the lawyer for Breaker Morant, David Jones family … you’ll love it.
Fabulous launch!!!
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