From Sails To Atoms: First Fifty Years Of Sutherland Shire 1906 to 1956
Compiled by David R. Kirkby
Published by The Sutherland Shire Council: 1970 1st Edition
In Original Dustjacket - With Inscription From Shire President
"
From Sails to Atoms: First Fifty Years of Sutherland Shire, 1906-1956 is a richly illustrated local history compiled by David R. Kirkby, who served as Shire Clerk of Sutherland Council from 1929 to 1963 and possessed an intimate knowledge of the district's development. Published in 1970 to coincide with the bicentenary of Captain Cook's landing at Kurnell, the work traces the transformation of the Shire from a sparsely populated coastal district into one of Sydney's most dynamic and rapidly growing municipalities. Combining official records with personal recollections, photographs and historical anecdotes, it offers a comprehensive account of the people and events that shaped the region's first half-century.
The narrative begins with the earliest European associations with Botany Bay and the creation of Sutherland Shire in 1906, before following its progress through the opening of the Cronulla tramway, the First World War, the Depression and the profound social changes of the post-war years. Kirkby records colourful episodes including proposals for local autonomy, the struggle to build roads and public services, wartime defence preparations that turned the district into a strategic "Fortress Shire," and the establishment of key civic institutions such as hospitals, libraries and transport links. The book also highlights notable residents and visitors, including Arthur Mailey, Donald Mackay and Henry Lawson, bringing to life the personalities that contributed to the district's identity.
Its evocative title reflects the extraordinary journey from the age of sail, represented by Captain Cook's landing and the maritime traditions of Botany Bay, to the dawn of the atomic era symbolised by the establishment of the Australian Atomic Energy Commission's facilities at Lucas Heights. Long regarded as one of the standard histories of the district, From Sails to Atoms remains an invaluable source for historians, genealogists and collectors of Australian local history. This first edition example is made particularly desirable by its original dustjacket and its contemporary inscription from a former Shire President, adding a pleasing association with the civic history of Sutherland itself."
Light wear to dust jacket protected with a clear plastic sleeve. Inscription from Shire President present. Pages clean and well presented. Book is in very good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
