Keeping Rosewood History Alive!

About this website

A warm welcome to Pioneers and Past Times of Rosewood and surrounds.
(Genre: Historical Nonfiction)

I am Jane Schy, a local historian and passionate researcher. My hope is that this website becomes a rich archive of local history. It comprises years of ongoing research. The inspiration for the site’s name came from a club formed in Rosewood over 100 years ago in 1924: the “Rosewood Pastimes Club,” established for recreational and educational purposes.

Investigating the past is a lifelong pursuit for me. My love for family history research was instilled by the late Janet Reakes, a renowned genealogist and a witty, lovely woman. I enjoy delving into the maze of history to catch glimpses of those who came before us. These glimpses highlight the great difficulties faced by pioneer men, women, and children. Those industrious people worked with unflagging spirit to build our communities.

Looking for records that no longer exist can be frustrating and disappointing. Is it any wonder there are so many gaps when we can see history disappearing before our eyes? The old newspapers that have been rescued and preserved hold many pieces—but certainly not all—of the puzzle. Things we did not know are revealed by those who were there and witnessed them. The journalists of old diligently reported in great detail. I wonder how many of those correspondents realised at the time what a great legacy they would leave behind?

My hope is that the published content is as factual as possible, so please take a minute to let me know if you spot an error. Because I cannot devote unlimited time and resources to solving every unanswered question, I welcome any feedback or assistance you can offer. (hello@rosewoodpasttimes.com)

This site is a work in progress, and as such, information will be continually added and updated as it is discovered. Like many developing towns, the beginning years of the Rosewood district can be likened to the “Wild Colonial Days”.

I hope you find this site interesting. – Jane

Please Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that some of the terms used in old transcribed newspaper articles reflect the period of time in which they were written, and may be incongruent to current understanding. They are provided here in an historical context.

[The Home Page photo depicts the southern end of John Street and was taken about 1928.]

Published 30th January 2024

© Jane Schy, 2024
My work is protected by the Copyright Act 1968. You may use it for private study only. You may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including files downloadable from this website, without my permission.