INTRODUCTION: By John Wrigley OAM
Since 1997 the District Reporter Newspaper has provided the Camden and Wollondilly district with an excellent alternative and independent newspaper service. The small hardworking team at the paper set themselves high standards to provide a free newspaper which is sought out by its many loyal readers. I would like to thank the Editor, Lee Abrahams, the Publisher Noel Lowry, and Sue Woodhams on graphics and production, for their outstanding work.
From 1999 I have been one of the contributors to the back page historical column known as "Back Then". There have been a number of other contributors and I would particularly acknowledge the work of Jan Ross who has provided the Picton-Wollondilly perspective, and other members of the Camden Historical Society and The Oaks Historical Society who have written contributions from time to time.I have been delighted by the positive and encouraging comments that readers give me in response to my articles, often just in passing in the street or while shopping in the town. Many interesting and valuable donations of items to the Camden Museum have been prompted by the articles over the years and sometimes readers have suggested future topics for the column. A number of readers have also suggested that a book should be published of the best of my "Back Then" articles and so I have put together this publication. My thanks go to the District Reporter for permission to re-publish these stores.
The stimulus to produce the book this year has come from the fact that 2007 marks fifty years since the formation of the Camden Historical Society. In 1957 a small band of enthusiastic citizens met at Camden High School to form the Society and it has 'never looked back', so to speak. The Society now operates the very fine Camden Museum; has over 120 members; and has held its monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of the month throughout those fifty years.
I hope you enjoy reading the book. My aim has always been to inform and entertain readers. My wife, Julie Wrigley, has worked hard to edit and index this collection and it would not have been completed without her organisation. Stephen Robinson was very generous with his time in scanning and setting the photographs, which were all drawn from the collection of the Camden Museum. All proceeds from the book sales will go to further the work of the Camden Historical Society.
Thank you for your support and encouragement,
John Wrigley OAM