A PASSION for bridges led Carolyn Burrows to writing and publishing a book titled “Bridges Over The Myall.”

The book details the history 15 bridges in the local area including major bridges in Tea Gardens and Bulahdelah and a number of smaller historical structures on private land.

Mrs Burrows said the idea for her book came after a small bridge was washed away in flood waters in 2000.

“I realised that little bridges in the area were going need replacing,” Mrs Burrows said.

“They have great historical value so I thought it was important to collate all the information together.”

Bridges over the Myall River stretch all the way from Tea Gardens to the Upper Myall and date back to 1892.

In her book, Mrs Burrows recalls the “rickety wooden bridge” that was used as the punt approach on the Hawks Nest side of the river.

“As children we enjoyed the trip across the river and trying to see little crabs and toadfish through the cracks in the Bridge,” she said.

“It was a nice rest for our legs when walking to the beach from Myall Street in Tea Gardens.”

Mrs Burrows has a long history with the local area dating back five generations of her family in Tea Gardens.

When she moved to Markwell in 1984 she quickly realised how important the bridges in the local area were, especially in regards to people and stock movement.

Mrs Burrows funded the book herself and said it took 10 years to complete.

“I saved my money for years, that’s probably why it took so long, and life got in the way as well,” she told News Of The Area.

“Bridges Over The Myall” can be purchased at Bulahdelah Post Office, Tea Gardens and Bulahdelah Visitor Information Centres, Hawks Nest and Bulahdelah Newsagents and the Bulahdelah Rural Transaction Centre.

 

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN