Echoes on the Mountain

Between the covers are ten gripping tales of the migrant workers who brought the Tasmanian highlands to life in all its post-war uniqueness. They came from the ashes of europe, some had fought side by side with the Australians at Tobruk, some had endured the forced labour camps under the Germans and then the Soviets, all had suffered the horrors of war. They came from Poland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Germany and England. With hope in their hearts they set out for far away Tasmania to work on the Hydroelectric schemes. The Hydro needed workers, particularly pick and shovel men, to transform an inhospitable landscape and build dams and pipelines that would industrialise the island state. So they came, often with nothing but an old uniform and a blanket, and they settled into tiny huts for two year contracts in villages called Butlers Gorge, Bronte park, Tarralleah, Wayatina and Waddamana. 'it was a mini United Nations where the villages and workplaces reverberated to the tunes of many languages. It was a peaceful and yet lively time when the men tried to nurture a social life for themselves. we wanted to prove we could be good citizens and good Australians.' On the dark side there were suicides and depression but most of the men worked and lived hard, survived to move on to other Tasmanian towns. They settled down and married. These people from the highland villages remained lifetime friends. Many came to be among the best known of Tasmanians with numerous awards and achievements. They are proof that humans can endure atrocity, build a new life, and keep giving to their communities.