Murder and crime stories from the past

Woy Woy Library will host a History Week event featuring stories of murder and crime from the Gosford district's past.

Local studies librarian Mr Geoff Potter will present stories for anyone interested in the history of local crime, people wanting to research their own criminal ancestors or simply those who enjoy a good mystery.

Lindsay Allen, senior archivist from State Records NSW, will also be at the event to talk about some notorious crimes in NSW, and the records that preserve their memory.

"What city or town in NSW has not had a bushranger pass through, a murder in its back alleys, a corrupt official run out of town or a skeleton tucked away somewhere waiting to be found?" president of the History Council of NSW Mr Mark Dunn said.

"NSW shimmers and glistens with colourful characters, places of ill repute, likely lads and femme fatales.

"Discover the scandals, crime and corruption that have shocked us over time and shaped our history, sometimes in unexpected ways."

The History Council of NSW has been running History Week for 14 years to show that history is interesting, relevant and all around us.

More than 140 events will be taking place across the state with museums, libraries, universities and historical societies getting involved.

The History Week event at Woy Woy Library is free and will take place on September 9, from 2pm to 4pm in the Spike Milligan Room.

Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting 4325 8118 or via email at geoff.potter@gosford.nsw.gov.au

Press release, 10 Aug 2009 Zoe Pollock, History Council of NSW