Uniting Epping Carinya retirement village resident John Donohoe has written a third book.
Captain Thunderbolt’s Folly – The Day the Gentleman Bushranger Got Himself Killed examines how Frederick Ward, a master horseman, could be run down by a single mounted policeman and shot dead.
65-year-old John, who wrote his first book, Ben Hall’s Treasure, eight years ago, said he started visiting Uralla on the NSW Northern Tablelands to learn more about The Gentleman Bushranger.
“When I started visiting Uralla, I was interested in learning more about Captain Thunderbolt. The more I found out the more fascinated I became, and I discovered there were many people who didn’t know about Captain Thunderbolt,” he said.
“Much like my book about Ben Hall, I have got a barrow to push. I have certain chapters where I deal with controversies that haven’t been dealt with before.”
John said the book would be released next month, when he will present it to residents at Uniting Carinya in Sydney’s northwest.
He is the youngest resident at the retirement village.
“It’s the best move I have ever made. Everything looks nice and it’s a place that I don’t think I will ever leave. It’s like I have a whole lot of aunties who are always there to help. It’s good in that way.”
Uniting Epping Carinya Village Manager, Lisa Ciantar, said it was fantastic to have John as part of the community.
“John is always trying to create a sense of community and the residents are looking forward to learning more about the history of Australian Bushranger Captain Thunderbolt in one of John’s talks in the community hall,” she said.
“The residents are also very supportive of his writing and it’s an amazing achievement for John to be releasing his third book.”
We’re looking forward to reading it.
