Telling Pearl's fascinating story

After Melbourne-based GP Stephen Whiteside interviewed Pearl Bradshaw in 1987 as part of research for his first book about early pioneers at Mt Hotham, he began to think that her story was a book all its own. Stephen's first release, 'Snow, Fire and Gold: The Story of Bill Spargo and Evelyn Piper's Life in the Australian Mountains', was published last year. Since then, he has indeed followed his ear for a story to write 'Pearl Bradshaw: Princess of Hotham', and he will be at the Wangaratta Library this Wednesday, 3 September from 2.30pm to discuss the new book. "This was part of the same project as 'Snow, Fire and Gold'; it has always been in the back of my mind, but it wasn't until I cleared the air with the first book that I began work on this one," Stephen said. With her husband, Jim (who passed away in 1981), Pearl managed the Hotham Heights Chalet at Mount Hotham for nine consecutive winters from 1937 to '45 - a period that included the 1939 bushfires and World War 2. After realising how fascinating her story was, Stephen returned to interview Pearl a second time later in the year of their first meeting, when she was aged in her late 70s, and 'Pearl Bradshaw: Princess of Hotham' is the result. "There was virtually nothing written down about Jim and Pearl Bradshaw, and so much of it is forgotten; I think the book helps paint a picture of what life was like back then," he said. Stephen said he also aimed to capture Pearl's "hardworking, no-nonsense, down-to-earth" demeanour through the book. His own connection to the alpine area comes from years of walking and skiing around Mount Hotham. "I've always loved Australian history and the Australian mountains, so putting the two together, I'm in my happy place," he said. Stephen will conduct the local launch of his Pearl Bradshaw book at the Wangaratta Library on 3 September, in an event presented in collaboration with Edgars Books & News, and will be available to sign copies of the book after his talk. For more information, visit https://edgarsbooksandnews.com.au/stephen-whiteside-book-launch/

Telling Pearl's fascinating story

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