Now retired as a health professional, Lyn Stewart’s career was in dietetics in a wide variety of employment and self-employment situations. Her first university study was in agricultural science from which she confesses to have gained an abiding interest in history.
She has written two books about palms and cycads, and co-authored a book of good nutrition practice in catering. Researching and writing her Murphy family history has been a five year project ending with Lyn self-publishing in 2019 SEARCHING FOR MARGARET MURPHY, from Tipperary to New South Wales. A Murphy family history. Researching and writing Blood Revenge, murder on the Hawkesbury 1799, has been a long-term ambition and the reason Lyn was moved to return to university in 1989 to study Australian History. The book has been published by Rosenberg Publications. See a short video about the book by clicking here. Reviewed in the Weekend Australian Lyn's other published works include: Contributing author to Management Guidelines Developmental Disability Version 2. Therapeutic Guidelines, Melbourne 2005 Nutrition in Food Service. Lyn Stewart and Heather Hunwick. Hospitality Press, Melbourne 1988. Palms and Cycads of the World. Lyn Stewart, Harper Collins, Sydney 1998. Palms for the Home and Garden. Lyn Stewart. Angus and Robertson, Sydney 1981. |
SEARCHING FOR MARGARET MURPHY, from Tipperary to New South Wales. A Murphy family history by Lyn Stewart
Extensively researched, this is the story of the author’s ancestor, Margaret Murphy, her Murphy family in Ireland and her life in NSW. Margaret, together with her four sisters, Catherine, Dorcas, Joanne, and Jane came to NSW as Assisted Immigrants in 1841. Her brother, James, immigrated with his family later. Their stories and those of other Murphy relatives who came to Australia, as convicts or free settlers, are also included. The stories of Margaret’s life partner, Paul Walker, a convict per Morley, 1829, and his convict assignments, are told in detail, as well as their later life on pastoral runs on the Liverpool Plains, NSW. Families explored include: Brown(e), Daulton, Eaton, Eather, McAlpin, Murphy, Onus, Powell, Scully, Shepherd, Tailby, Thurlow, Town, Walker, Webb. ISBN: 978-0-6485701-0-3 Published in June 2019; 271 pages in paperback, with family charts, images, maps, detailed End notes. Indexed. Price: $35.00 (plus $15 Postage in Australia) To purchase a copy contact: [email protected] Blood Revenge, murder on the Hawkesbury 1799 examines the first time that white men were held to account in a criminal court of New South Wales for killing Australian Aborigines. It happened in 1799, just 11 years after the New South Wales colony began. This book answers the disturbing question: Why were five men found guilty of killing two Aborigines—yet they were never punished? The story lays bare the nature of black-white relations at the colony’s Hawkesbury River frontier settlement. Governor John Hunter tried to carry out his orders and stop the wanton killing of Aborigines. Inevitably, there was a divide between policy and practice. . Historians writing about black-white relations say we will never reach true reconciliation until we are prepared to face the truth of our history. Author Lyn Stewart’s own ancestor murdered two Aborigines at the Hawkesbury River settlement over two hundred years ago. ‘My grandfather thought this was something we should not talk about. By delving into this part of my family history I have learned not only why the murders happened but also about the volatile and uncertain relationships between settlers and Aborigines as the colony’s land grants steadily displaced the local people from their traditional lands. It is a history we must understand. Blood Revenge was officially launched at the Hawkesbury Regional Museum on Saturday 28th March 2015. Professor Peter Stanley from University of NSW spoke about the honest account Lyn has given in Blood Revenge. 'Honest History' is the name of a website where a group of professional historians comment upon Australian historical writing |