OTHER INTERESTS of ALLAN WATSON

What is on this page:
Oil Shale & Newnes Railways Australian History Other Links

As you read, you will find that I have a rather mixed bag of interests.
If you wish to discuss aspects of any of these subjects, email me at: "newnes[at]tpg.com.au".

Oil shale, Newnes and the Wolgan Valley
This is the basis of my current interests at Newnes and covers the following subjects:
  • The history of the oil shale industry in Australia;
  • Technical aspects of oil shale mining and processing;
  • The railways that were built to serve this industry in Australia;
  • The towns and other services connected with this industry;
  • The history of the Wolgan Valley and the surrounding area.
Of course, there is a particular emphasis on those aspects connected with, or relevant to, Newnes and the Wolgan Valley.
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Railways:
I am mainly interested in railway history, with an emphasis on the following areas:
  • Railway goods (freight) wagons, particularly those in New South Wales;
  • Railway structures in New South Wales;
I am also have a more general interest in the following:
  • Narrow gauge railways in South Australia;
  • Tramways in New South Wales;
  • Model Railways.
I am a member of the Australian Railway Historical Society, NSW Division and several other railway enthusiast and special interest groups. I currently do some voluntary research work for the Railway Resource Centre of the ARHS at Redfern, NSW and get my hands dirty once a month at the Sydney Tramway Museum workshop.
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Australian History:
I have had a general interest in Australian History since my days in primary school. Today, in addition to my interests in the history of Newnes, the oil-shale industry and railways, I am also particularly interested in the history of those areas where I am often located. These include:
  • History and historic structures in the Ryde district of Sydney.
  • History and historic structures in the Lithgow district of New South Wales.
  • The Aboriginal background to the Lithgow area. (This is an extension of my Newnes interests.)
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Other Interests:
  • Church. (See "Religion" heading on my main personal page)
  • Military. I was in the Army Reserve (then called "CMF") for some years. I joined through an officer training course and was then assigned to 133 Div. Loc. Battery (Artillery) at North Manly. I was later with 7 Field Regiment, at Willoughby.
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Links to other web-sites that may be of interest:
The following organisations are located in or near Lithgow and are not all that far from my weekend kiosk: The following places are also well worth visiting for research:
  • Railway Resource Centre, Redfern. (Open Tuesdays and Saturdays. See ARHS link above for details.)
  • State Library and Mitchell Library, Sydney.
  • State Archives, Kingswood and Globe Street, Sydney.
  • Australian Archives, Chester Hill.
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This page last updated: 27Nov2008