From the Meekatharra Miner, Saturday 22 September 1917. . ‘Extract from letter received by Mrs. J. E. Coombes from her son, Private Russell Wheeler, No. 413, 44th Battalion.’ (Of course, the letter home doesn’t tell the full horror of the trenches) ‘I take this opportunity to tell you about the “Big Push.” that I haveContinue reading “A Soldier’s letter from the Great War trenches”
Author Archives: Lynne Cairns
The Story of Western Australia’s Gold Rush: the history behind my novel ‘Gold Town’
Today, Australia ranks second only to China as a gold-producing country. And much of that gold still comes from Western Australia, which was still an isolated British colony, less than sixty years old, when the first gold finds were recorded. In the middle of the nineteenth century, when poverty drove many from their homelands toContinue reading “The Story of Western Australia’s Gold Rush: the history behind my novel ‘Gold Town’”
A Black Swan Event
If you’ve been at all interested in discussions of those drastic events of recent years, like September 11 or the financial crisis of 2008, that have shaken the world economies and had repercussions for ordinary people like you and me, I’m sure you will have heard the expression ‘Black Swan Event’, something world-shaking that isContinue reading “A Black Swan Event”
A Different Anzac Story
Before the Anzac landing at Gallipoli in Turkey, then part of the Ottoman Empire and allied to Germany, Britain wanted to force a way through the Dardanelles, the narrow strait connecting the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara, and attack the Turkish capital, Istanbul. In March 1915 a large Allied fleet failed to achieveContinue reading “A Different Anzac Story”
My New Book
HELLO. I’M BACK. It’s been a long time. But I’ve never really gone away. Just life got in the way of my plans, as it tends to do. Anyway, I’ve finally finished the book I was talking about last time I posted something. It’s an outback historical mystery with a touch of second time aroundContinue reading “My New Book”
GETTING BACK TO WORK
I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted anything here, but over the last year, writing ceased to be a priority in my life and, as Robert Burns said ‘the well laid plans of mice and men aft gang agley’ (or ‘often go astray’ for those not familiar with the Scots way of puttingContinue reading “GETTING BACK TO WORK”
GOLD RUSH
In 1892, Bailey and Ford struck gold at Coolgardie, collecting two thousand pounds worth of gold in one evening. Then, in June 1893, Hannan and Flanagan made the rich discovery at what was to become Kalgoorlie, and the rush was on.
Why do we remember them on 11 November?
We may call it Remembrance Day, but the true name of November 11 is Armistice Day. It commemorates the signing of the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918 that led to the end of the Great War. So, what we are celebrating today is not about war. It is about peace. And while weContinue reading “Why do we remember them on 11 November?”
THE FUTURE OF SUBMARINES
I’m wondering whether our Prime Minister has actually done the sums when it comes to this new AUKUS submarine deal. And I’m not just talking about money. It seems we won’t get these submarines for 20 years. That takes us to 2041. Then, the expected lifetime of these subs is 35 years – 55 yearsContinue reading “THE FUTURE OF SUBMARINES”
Not Just Nuclear Subs
Well, isn’t that great? We’re going to get nuclear submarines whether we want them or not. And when? There has been a suggested date of 2024. In the meantime, our poor old Collins class will have to soldier on and face whatever conflict we are dragged into by an unimaginative government. But that is notContinue reading “Not Just Nuclear Subs”
Lynne Cairns 