Book Launch – The Tucker Truck come on Tuesdays
10th October, 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Free
Erica and District Historical Society are excited to be hosting the book launch of historian Mike McCarthy’s latest book, ‘The Tucker Truck came on Tuesdays’ about the timber industry in Erica, its sawmills, tramways and people.
When the Moe – Walhalla narrow-gauge railway was opened in 1910 it provided an outlet for a vast quantity of timber in the rugged mountain ranges surrounding the Thomson and Tyers River valleys. This book describes the vast network of tramways which fed the Walhalla railway at O’Shea and Bennett Siding, Knotts Siding, Erica, Collins Siding, Moondarra, and Gould. Also described are the timber mills and the isolated settlements that surrounded them.
The text covers all aspects of the history – political, economic, technical, and social. It is based on over 60 years of research, including interviews, historical documents and maps, and extensive ground research.
The book includes superb coloured maps and diagrams, and detailed histories of the steam and internal-combustion locomotives that were used on the tramways. It is illustrated by a generous collection of historic photographs.
The book will be launched by Gary Blackwood, former MLA for Narracan and long time timber industry stalwart.
Afternoon tea will be provided for attendees. The book is available for a special price at the launch, and all are welcome to attend.
