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The Bilpin community is set to celebrate its rich natural and cultural heritage with the launch of Wollemi Walks from Bilpin – Book 2, at a special History and Nature Celebration Event on Sunday, 30 November, at Bilpin District Hall.
The afternoon begins with afternoon tea at 2.30 pm, followed by the book launch program from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Visitors will enjoy a diverse program of presentations, music and storytelling that bring Bilpin’s environment and history to life.
Monumental Exploration of the Wollemi Region
Following the success of Wollemi Walks from Bilpin – Book 1, released in 2024, which introduced readers to 28 newly mapped bushwalks and a detailed geological essay of the Wollemi area, Book 2 expands this groundbreaking series.
The new 596-page volume features 28 never-before-published bushwalks, alongside a Concise History of Bilpin and a Local History of Logging and Sawmilling. Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of colour photographs, maps, and sketches, the book captures the spirit of exploration, discovery, and connection to the country that defines the Bilpin and Wollemi landscape.
Through years of methodical exploration, authors Yuri Bolotin, Michael Keats, and Brian Fox have documented the extraordinary diversity of the region — from dramatic gorges, creeks, and waterfalls to the remnants of Aboriginal heritage and early European settlement.
A Program of Insight and Inspiration
The launch event will feature a range of engaging presentations and performances:
- Ros Allatt, Bilpin resident and daughter of local historian Meredyth Hungerford, will speak about her mother’s landmark research on Bilpin’s history, which is extensively referenced in the new book.
- Greg Bourke, botanist and ecologist, will deliver a talk on the Forest Diversity of the Bilpin Area.
- Bill Johnson, Ron Ness, Maine Powell, Jim Newton, and Lionel Buckett will share stories in Bilpin Timbergetting Tales, a Q&A session facilitated by Brian Fox.
- A Percussion Storytelling Performance will be presented by Cory Hills from the USA.
- To conclude, Yuri Bolotin will present Bushwalks Around Bilpin, offering insights into the hidden landscapes and remarkable geological features that inspired the Wollemi Walks series.
Event Details
Venue: Bilpin District Hall, Bells Line of Road, Bilpin
Afternoon tea: 2.30 pm
Book launch: 3.00–5.00 pm
RSVP: Required — email yuri@bigci.org (places are limited)
More information: www.bigci.org
The Wollemi Walks series, now in its second volume, continues to reveal the beauty, complexity, and history of one of New South Wales’ most captivating regions. This celebration will offer locals and visitors alike the chance to connect with Bilpin’s landscape, its people, and its enduring stories.
