What started out as an essay for her, soon took on a life of its own and evolved into a memoir of her early childhood.

Mrs Hogan has self-published a book about Tuena called, ‘Village Cameo’.

It is a word sketch of her childhood memories of the village from 1937 - 1945.

Mrs Hogan was a one of seven children born in 1937, towards the end of the depression and just before the start of the second world war.

The lure of gold had drawn her great-grandparents to the area.

She remembers her time in Tuena like it was yesterday.

“Early days saw Tuena as a very busy village, with a bush nursing association, public school, general store - post office, hotel, blacksmith shop, anglican, presbyterian and catholic churches, village hall, courthouse, police station, cricket pitch, tennis court and about 14 houses.

“The creek divided the village in two.” she said.

“The suspension bridge was built across the creek joining the business side of Tuena with ‘our side of the creek’, Mrs Hogan explains in her book.

“My father enlisted in the war in 1941 and I remember the Cowra Breakout, when over one-thousand Japanese prisoners escaped.

“I can remember my fear as Tuena was closer to Cowra than Darwin or Sydney - where the other japanese attacks were occurring.

“I remember the older ones talking about the war and with many of the village men enlisted, this caused great concern in the village.” she wrote.

Her memories of the hotel, sunday school, public school and some of the older village homes plus the social venues including watching an odd game of cricket on the pitch are incredible.

It made me want to visit Tuena and to imagine the olden-days, exploring the caves, wells and old buildings. Even dig for some gold!

Mrs Hogan’s book is steeped in history and is a pleasure to read, as it puts the reader into her childhood life as though you are running and playing along side her.

The beautiful drawings in the book are by Beryl Glasson and the front cover painting is by Barb Gaffney.

Overall, the book is interesting and enlightening.

The book ‘Village Cameo’ is available at the Information Centre or at the Tuena General Store.