Shack Life: The survival story of three royal national park communities

(Paperback)

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Shack Life tells the story of three small beachside communities in the Royal National Park south of Sydney Era, Burning Palms and Little Garie and how their residents fought to save their beloved shacks.

During the Depression, starving miners and their families made their way down the hill to a place by the sea where they could live on fish, rabbits and home-grown vegetables. Hundreds of shacks, only able to be reached on foot, sprung up, and are still standing today.

Since the 1960s governments have tried to have the shacks pulled down but the communities, with the help of their Protection League, fought back each time and won. In frank interviews with shackies and stunning photographs this book explores the fascinating history of these quintessentially Australian shacks.

Shack Life is that rare mix; a compelling read that stitches together the big history of place, the smaller history of culture and the personal narratives of those who have made, and been made by, these extraordinary, irreplaceable dwellings. Thoughtful, touching, beautiful and finely crafted Shack Life is, in a word, brilliant. Elizabeth Farrelly

Reviews

This wonderful and long overdue book has captured the proud heritage of the shack communities and shown how its history has mirrored the greater Australian story.



David Hill, author and historian



Shack Lifeis that rare mix; a compelling read that stitches together the big history of place, the smaller history of culture and the personal narratives of those who have made, and been made by, these extraordinary, irreplaceable dwellings. Thoughtful, touching, beautiful and finely craftedShack Lifeis, in a word, brilliant.

Elizabeth Farrelly

Author Bio

Ingeborg van Teeseling is a journalist and historian who teaches history at the University of Wollongong.