‘History behind every street’ recorded

THE stories of the individuals and families that helped establish Hambledon and grow it into Edmonton have been preserved in a new historical book now available to the public.

The Mulgrave Historical Society has released its Edmonton-Hambledon People and Places 1881-2019 publication, with more than 160 pages of local history that shaped Cairns’ southern community.

Lifelong Edmonton resident Fran Lindsay and longterm resident Kay Earl were among the main contributors to compile the book, after the project began in 2017.

“We noticed a lot of people were moving in and out of Edmonton but there were also a lot of people that we knew from growing up who were still around, so we thought let’s share their stories,” Ms Lindsay said.

“Some of it’s very factual and historical, things like when Edmonton was first settled, the plans and maps.

“Other things you’ll see are stories of local people – stories of them growing up in the area.”

Ms Lindsay has included her own family’s stories and photos and says she was surprised with what she’d learnt during the three-year project.

“As we were doing the interviews with people we’d known our whole lives, we’d learn new things about their background that we otherwise never would have known.

“I think it will be a great benefit to the existing generations to look back through all the historical events and just go ‘oh I remember that’. Sometimes we just need that trigger.

“But hopefully it will play a great part in the future with everyone moving here. They’ll learn that Edmonton hasn’t just been one big residential estate, there’s history behind every street.”

The book is available from the society for $25.