It led to a fascination with the development of railways across the region in the 18th Century, including the manner in which politics often interfered with sound decision-making.
Last Thursday saw the culmination of Mr Lea’s work with the launch of his latest book, Railway Development of the South-West Riverina – a story of decades of political and petty interstate rivalry.
The event, held at Deniliquin Historical Society Museum, attracted a crowd of more than 50 who travelled from Melbourne, Albury, Berrigan, Finley, Tocumwal, Echuca/Moama, Barham and Moulamein.
The book was officially launched by Sean Darbyshire, the great-grandson of James Arthur Christian Darbyshire, who was secretary/manager of the Deniliquin & Moama Railway Company.
There was an amazing coincidence linking the Lea and Darbyshire families.
Sean Darbyshire had served in Afghanistan at the same time as Ian’s son Colin, to whom the book was dedicated after he passed away from pancreatic cancer earlier this year.
At the launch, Mr Lea explained that once he started researching the railways history, it became obvious that attempting to build railways in the Riverina had been fraught with politics right from the beginning, revolving around the:
• Victorian border
• Annexation of the Riverina to Victoria, New State movement
• The Victorian railway reaching Echuca in 1864 which developed the river boat trade, and very soon almost all the wool from the Murray-Darling Basin was being exported through Echuca to Melbourne
• Different railway gauges
• Border Custom duties and tariffs; and
• The NSW Government’s belief that all the Riverina’s produce (wool, livestock and grain) should be exported via Sydney ports regardless of the cost to the producer.
All these issues are covered in detail in the book.
In the interests of preserving our history, Mr Lea has donated a copy of the book to libraries and historical organisations.
Railway Development of the South-West Riverina can be purchased from the Deniliquin Newsagency & Bookstore, or from Mr Lea, phone 0418 468 857 or email ian@retiredfarmer.com.au.
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