A new book by an East Coast author delves into the past of St Helens.
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The Bay: The European History of St Helens is the latest book by Garry Richardson. The book was split into two parts. The first looks into Gordy's River, Georges River, Georges Bay, and St Helens. The second looks at the St Helens mines.
The book starts by looking into the first non-indigenous visitors to the George Bay area then explores things such as religion, schools, hospitals, and sports.
Richardson also looks into hardships experienced by early settlers, changes on the coast when tin was discovered, and more change upon the end of tin mining.
Previous works by Richardson have focussed on the history of the state's Portland municipality in the North-East, trading vessels to Georges Bay, Chinese tin miners in the Blue Tier and his experience working in the state's forestry industry.
In Richardson's introduction, he said St Helens was an interesting town to research and write about for two reasons. The first was that he had lived in the town since 1980 and there was a lot he wasn't aware of. The second was that it was the only town he had written about that was still growing.
By the time St Helens was settled there was little documented, he said.
Richardson said some readers could be disappointed in some sections but it was unavoidable as not everything could be included. It was the largest book he had worked on, with the finished product reaching a higher page count than his recent book Up Country.
As there was too much material to go through with towns and places such as Scamander, The Gardens, Ansons Bay, Eddystone Point, and Big Musselroe Bay, Richardson said he would have to publish another book.
Richardson will be in Launceston for a book signing at Petrarch's Bookshop on December 13.
The book is A4 hardback with 552 pages. It's limited edition run of 1200 copies.
For more information, contact Richardson at grichard@tassie.net.au.