Preface

It is both an honour and a challenge to write some reflective introductory thoughts as to the nature and meaning of this long-evolving and regionally-set volume of what might, very loosely, be styled 'local history'. These two responses need some explanation — I trust helpfully, — when an outsider tries to give a personal perspective on a text of considerable bulk and yet with a relatively sharp focus in both time and place, as well as in its subject.After several times closely reading, checking and cross-reading the whole, it seemed to me that the volume, like so many regional histories, might best be defined initially by certain of their classical general parameters:the place, — the close 'north east of Armidale' in northern New SouthWales, and so with distinctive features of landscape, terrain and access;the period surveyed — that of about 150 years to the present — and thereasons for this focus;the people — something of their origins, identity and social organisation;all of this leading to their living and livelihood as earned, depending more and more on the application of scientific knowledge;and so to a deepened consideration of the character of the whole community which has the friendly-sounding acronym, WAWM.