© 2018 Greg & Sylvia RAY

Author: Greg Ray

This author has written 481 articles
Read more about the article 300 diamond rings a year: Caldwells jewellers

300 diamond rings a year: Caldwells jewellers

WHEN Geoff Caldwell left Newcastle Boys High School in the 1930s, he told his father he wanted to be an engineer. His father laughed at the idea. "Dad told me I should just join the family business and help him run the jewellery store," Geoff laughed. He took his father's advice. The fledgling Caldwells jewellery business was launched at the end of the Great Depression years, survived World War II and went on to enjoy an extraordinary period of prosperity during the era when a prime location on thriving Hunter Street, Newcastle, was money in the bank. "We used to sell 300 diamond rings a year," Geoff…

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Read more about the article Harry was a WW2 Z-Force commando
Harry Boyle, training at Armidale

Harry was a WW2 Z-Force commando

WHEN the Australian Army invited Harry Boyle to enter a services shooting contest during World War II, they told him first prize was three weeks leave. They didn't tell him about the other prize until he won it. Harry swore he wouldn't have competed if he'd known exactly what being identified as "marksman, first class" would mean. Harry, then in his early 20s, had helped feed his family during the Great Depression with his gun and his exceptional marksmanship. In 1942, the military authorities were looking for men like Harry to do dangerous, secret work. These…

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Read more about the article William Fraser, cabinet-maker and photographer
William Fraser in one of his own trick photographs - taking his own picture.

William Fraser, cabinet-maker and photographer

Among the photographers active in Newcastle in the early 20th century, William Fraser deserves a special place. William might be described as a "semi-professional" photographer, since his main job was as a cabinet-maker, working from the Newcastle suburb of Hamilton. The body of work he produced in both spheres was impressive, and numerous examples of his skilled craftsmanship survive. William FraserBritannia Fraser (nee Randall) William's parents were Charles Fraser (who had come from Scotland when he was seven) and Matilda (nee Pepper). The couple was living and working in Lindsay Street, Hamilton, when sixth child William…

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