Local historian: Margaret Fleming, author of Yarroweyah and Koonooomoo – before, during and after the Second World War.
Cobram Barooga RSL has invited the public to Margaret Fleming’s launch of her new book Yarroweyah and Koonoomoo — Soldiers who fought in WWI and WWII on Monday, November 14, at the Cobram Bowling Club at 7.30pm.
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Ms Fleming is an accomplished author of local history with her book Gum Trees, Lagoons and Flat Pains: A History of Yarroweyah and Koonoomoo 1878-1962 released in 2011.
Her new book records the service of those who left the district to fight in World War I and II and will comprise the profiles of 30 soldiers from both wars as well as photos and the history of the region during the two wars.
Though much has been recorded about the soldier settlers who moved to the region after World War II, Ms Fleming wrote her book to remind people of the original families of the region who sent their loved ones to fight.
The genesis her work came from Peter W Sutton of Yarroweyah who wanted memorials for both World War I and and World War II soldiers from Yarroweyah and Koonoomoo.
However, Ms Fleming believed that a collaboration of a memorial and a book would better inform the public.
New book: The cover of Ms Fleming’s new book which will be launched on Monday, November 14.
The book took roughly two years to complete and was written in conjunction with another book written about soldiers from Bearii.
The book will be on sale at the event (payment to be made in cash only) as well be distributed among the schools within the district with Ms Fleming hoping that it ensures local history is remembered for years to come.
“Putting the book in schools is better than a memorial because if you want to check something it’s there ... on a memorial you only have a name but the book has details of each soldiers lives” Ms Fleming said.
The book launch will also involve a presentation by Ms Fleming regarding the local area during the 1940s.
Light refreshments will be served after the launch and presentation.
For catering purposes attendees are asked to RSVP before Wednesday, November 9, by ringing Glenda on 0407 040 208 or emailing the Cobram Barooga RSL at cobrambarooga.rsl@gmail.com
