05/09/2026
30 years ago today, I conducted my first History Tour! At Mt York. A Year 7 group.
30 years later, I and several casual staff are still guiding at Mt York - but not with the same students. (Thought I should clarify that).
Between then and now, the Tour business has grown, to include the Carrington Hotel, some bus Tours, and some local Town Tours, eg Lawson.
I also give History Talks from time to time, and have written a number of articles/short stories.
All of this work has constantly been supported by Historians, Librarians, Researchers, Editors, Carrington Owners and Staff, Bus Companies, Schools, Conference Centres in the Mountains, Photographic and Photocopying Shops, The General Public ... my Staff, and my four Sons. Thankyou!
I've even taken the opportunity to research some local History overseas. Investigating Matlock Bath in Derbyshire to see where Mark Foy got inspiration for the Hydro at Medlow Bath; visiting Mary Pitts's home in Fiddleford in Dorset; and reflecting on the life of Major Geoffrey McLaughlin when I visited his grave at Lijssenthoek Commonwealth War Cemetery in Belgium.
This Cairn in the grounds of Tarella, Geoffrey's Wentworth Falls Family's holiday home - now the home of Blue Mountains Historical Society - has 6 tiny pebbles cemeted into it. I had taken a small piece of ironstone from Tarella garden to place in the soil at his grave, and in return took the 6 pebbles from the grave to bring back to Tarella.
The Cairn was built in 2015 by Wayne Hanley, the then President of BMHS.
And throughout the 30 years, God has blessed the business. I am very grateful for that.
