Local historian Julia Caunce launched her book, Fernvale Histories, on 14 March at Lion’s Hall in Fernvale, marking ten years of research into the development of Fernvale.
The project was supported by a grant from the Lowood Fernvale Community Bank to the Fernvale Community Association.
Julia, who moved to Fernvale from New South Wales in 2009, said her background as a trained historian fueled her curiosity about the area.
“I came to live in Fernvale from New South Wales in 2009, and because I’m a trained historian, I talked around and came aware of eventually that there were conflicting stories about what happened, who came first, who settled where, that kind of thing,” she said.
Her interest deepened when a member of the Somerset Art Group started a history group in 2014.
“I couldn’t resist finding out so about 2014, when Sue White started up a history group, it motivated me to go further.”
As president of the Fernvale Community Association, Julia said she arranged for the book to be produced under a group grant so that proceeds would benefit the community.
“The reason why I did it as a group grant for Fernvale Community Association is because I’m the president there,” she said.
“And the book sales benefit the community association. I don’t get anything from it; it goes to the community association.”
She highlighted the association’s contributions, including the Anzac Memorial, bus shelters, park monitoring, and liaison with the council on development projects.
Among the book’s insights, Julia explained the unusual location of the Lowood police station.
“It’s all because of the 1893 flood. That’s the reason that’s in Lowood,” she said.
The book also explores how Fernvale got its name, the surrounding settlements, growing up in earlier times, local pubs, anecdotes such as “who chased who with a paling,” and the area’s biggest floods.
Julia said her experience with writing family histories helped prepare her for this larger project.
“I’ve had some experience with writing, primarily focusing on family history,” she said.
“Most of my writing has centred around family history, along with a bit of local history concerning the area where my family originated, down around the Central Coast.”
