Book launch

The Lost Province on Tasmania’s West Coast by Lou Rae

The Lost Province on Tasmania‘s West Coast, completed as part of Lou’s PhD , encompasses more than 40 years of research, visits and interviews associated with the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company, Tasmania’s West Coast, and its many characters.

It begins with the early European visitation and settlement to the western shores of Van Dieman’s Land, the region already occupied, of course, by the Tasmanian Aboriginals. Colonial development and industry began, such as Huon pining, the creation of the convict settlement at Sarah Island, and the quest for gold and other minerals.

Enter the might of the Broken Hill Proprietary tycoons in the late 1880’s that saw the silver fields of Zeehan soar in value and the vast copper riches of Mt Lyell exposed to development. The building of railways, tramways and wharf facilities sparked a mining revolution in the 1890’s. Fortunes were won and lost, claims were salted and leases jumped in attempts to get rich quick.

Behind the mining and industrial revolution was the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company. Given its entirety share dividends, profits and company control were directed through Melbourne, the Lyell population found it easier to travel to Melbourne for holidays, household goods and services. Hence, Queenstown was considered an ‘outer suburb’ – or the ‘Lost Province’ – of Melbourne!

About the author: 

From an early age Lou Rae enjoyed experiencing aspects of Tasmania’s early history. He was introduced to bushwalking by his father John when six, walking nearly every track on the Wellington Range by the age of ten, and continuing to exploring the many unique aspects of the West Coast as an adult. He is the author of A History of Railways and Tramways on Tasmania‘s West Coast. The Lost Province on Tasmania’s West Coast is his eighth book.

Join Lou at the Afterword Cafe for a dicussion of his latest work. Tickets are $10 and include a glass of wine (or a cold drink).