January 28, 2019

With work back in full swing, writing time has been precious this week and the project first draft manuscript has only grown by 4000 words. However, the story has shifted to Melbourne, particularly around Heidelberg and Carlton, and that brings new research to the table.
​
Merri Creek is a setting for one incident in the story and I had to look up where it is and found myself delving into its history. Turns out historians believe it is the only place since white arrival where a treaty was officially drawn up and signed between the local people and settling whites in 1835. Of course it was rescinded by the New South Wales governor and plenty of dispute about whether it was fair or even actually happened has taken place since. This is one brief example of the information around the history:
 https://www.portphillippioneersgroup.org.au/pppg5be.htm
​I enjoyed the synchronicity of stumbling into the research as Australia Day weekend unfolded.

Carlton's background during and shortly after World War Two is also fascinating - fundamentally a suburb of slums and cheap medium and high density housing. Again, plenty of reading from various sources including this quick example: http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00294b.htm
​
Back into work tomorrow, but planning on adding more to the project as the week progresses!