A good friend and fellow illustrator Kathleen Davies has just launched the publication of a new book "Bill Haydon, The Cedar King - The man behind the legend". Kathleen co-authored the publication with Bill Haydons' granddaughter Geraldine Yabsley. (However her name is strangely missing from the front cover). Kathleen was also the one who organised and persuaded me to run the Glenn Innes workshops back in 2007/2008. She is pictured here with one of her drawings from the March 2008 workshop.
She's spent the last five years compiling information on the disappearance of bushman Bill Haydon. Bill mysteriously vanished into the wilderness of Washpool National Park near Grafton on April 28th, 1965. The search for him lasted several weeks and involved hundreds of people including the army. There was many local stories and folklore about the disappearance and a coronial inquest was released last year. Being a journalist at many of the surrounding areas meant Kathleen knew avenues to find out the fragments of information needed to pull together the last hours of Bill Haydons' life. She has contributed the final 20 chapters including the final hours and the mysteries surrounding the disappearance.
“This publication is also a dedication to every person who has contributed in even the smallest way towards the completion of this project, and to every source that has been uncovered in the search for the true story of events,” Kathleen said.
The Macleay Argus - 18/09/09
The far north coast (NSW) is full of mysteries and strange happenings. The Emmaville panther, the Glenn Innes Yowie and Barraba a well known UFO sight.
The book is being promoted and sold across Mid North NSW at the moment and more information about Kathleen, Geraldine and the disappearance of Bill Haydon can be found in the websites below.
Daring to Dream - Kathleen Davies- DPI Rural Womens Network
Official Website
The Macleay Argus Press release (dated 18/09/09)
Timbertown website - Talks about Bill Haydons' reputation for the collection of Cedar (Toona ciliata).
2 comments:
The story of Bill Haydon the Cedar King has been written in two volumes. Volume one was complied by Geraldine Yabsley as the sole author. The Washpool Mystery the search for the cedar king, was authored by Kathleen Davies. Geraldine was invited by Kathleen to contribute a proportion of the historical material used in this volume. Geraldine’s involvement was to offer suggestions and support in the final editing of this second volume. It was decided that both volumes would be published within the one cover and as Kathleen’s volume is at the back half, the back cover of the book is fully dedicated to her work.
That's good to know. Thanks for the clarification David.
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