General News
25 February, 2025
Book captures Dunolly’s history
Bill Humphreys, seemingly the unofficial historian of Dunolly Primary School, returns with another book that’s a more personal take on the historic school’s history.
From living in abject poverty through to a burning ambition to be a teacher Mr Humphreys’ latest work, Do Something About It, is a first person account of growing up in Dunolly and his experience at the school.
When The Maryborough District Advertiser spoke to Mr Humphreys in 2006 for his chronicle on the school’s history the paper said no one was more fitting for the task. A fact that rings true today for his most recent outing.
“It was such an interesting period of time,” he said.
Mr Humphrey’s family has been involved in the town, and its school, on and off since the 1880s.
Not only did his great grandparents move to the town from Wales but his grandfather and father grew up in Dunolly and attended Dunolly Primary School. The same school he went to from 1947 to 1952 and taught at from 1988 to 1992.
The first person account turns the movers and shakers of 20th century Dunolly into fleshed out characters through the eyes of childhood Mr Humphreys. It’s an unusual focus which inspired Mr Humphreys to write down his recollections.
“I read lots of biographies but very few people bother to give much detail about their life as a child and I think you’re shaped then, surely. It shapes you for your adult life in all sorts of ways,” he said.
Mr Humphreys hopes this new book gives readers the opportunity to appreciate how different life was in the past. It was a time when the shadow of World War II remained, the veterans of World War I were still alive, and the town hall remained a mecca of community entertainment.
“I can remember Mick Raselli, who worked at the post office, saying all through the war the worst job was delivering telegrams because invariably they had bad news. Like, we’re sorry to inform you but so-and-so is dead and they died in such-and-such a circumstance. He said people just dreaded getting telegrams,” Mr Humphreys said.
Across the book’s 300 pages Mr Humphrey reflects on how a village raised a child. The story of how Dunolly’s community shaped his family, younger years, and future. The anecdotes that make up its chapters show a childhood in a different time with a familiar community spirit.
“Looking back now we had an idyllic childhood. Poor as church mice but we weren’t alone in that respect, and it didn’t seem to matter. You were still a part of the town,” he said.
His time at Dunolly Primary School, specifically his experience with his three teachers, influenced his career choice to become a teacher.
“The years that you’re in primary school I think really shape you more so than secondary school. I was really fortunate to have excellent teachers,” he said.
Both Mr Humphreys ‘books will be available at Dunolly Primary School’s 150th anniversary on March 1 or can be organised with Mr Humphreys directly via email at billyhump41@gmail.com