"A Powerhouse of a Man Tom Farrell (1904-1996) A Community Champion" by Christopher Mooney
Christopher Mooney has brought to print the inspirational life of one of Australia’s local heroes. His book is a very well-researched and well-written contribution to the history of the Newcastle region. The narrative moves along briskly as it follows the life of a man whose life was a continuing series of contributions to the greater good of his local community, leaving a legacy of community institutions, including the University of Newcastle, a legacy of contributions to business and to the conservation of the natural environment.
A Powerhouse of a Man Tom Farrell. A Biography of Rolf Everist Farrell (Brolga, 2015) by Dr Christopher Mooney deserves to be read as it convincingly reveals a man who helped to create Newcastle as a modern, significant, and model Australian city. Beautifully written, illustrated and extensively researched, the book brings to life one man’s extraordinary and largely forgotten legacy to the city of Newcastle and the Lower Hunter.
Roft Everist (known universally as Tom) Farrell (1904-1996), a prominent business leader who rose from obscurity, was a bold champion and advocate for regional progressive causes and institutions: the Cook’s Hill Lifesaving and Surf Club; a vibrant local Rugby League competition; the establishment of Blackbutt Reserve, the founding and nurturing of the University of Newcastle; much better social opportunities for the whole of society in modest family home ownership that culminated in the Greater Newcastle Permanent (credit union) Building Society (still very much alive in the 21st century); the highly successful Northern Parks and Playground movement – Mount Sugarloaf, Glenrock Lagoon, Barrington Tops, Myall Lakes; the Botanical Gardens and thus a vast array of environmental improvements to the natural, cultural and social fabric of Newcastle as a place in the sun.
Everywhere you walk or wander you will find in the cityscape and landscape immediate and compelling evidence of Tom’s achievements and beneficial influences. But read all about it as detailed in Christopher Mooney’s majestic and lively biography.
In every sense, Tom Farrell lived for ninety-two years as ‘An ever caring man of integrity and vision’. He was a shining light of the morning star and lived a life studded with achievements. He was simply one of Newcastle’s finest of the century.
John Ramsland
Emeritus Professor of History
Roft Everist (known universally as Tom) Farrell (1904-1996), a prominent business leader who rose from obscurity, was a bold champion and advocate for regional progressive causes and institutions: the Cook’s Hill Lifesaving and Surf Club; a vibrant local Rugby League competition; the establishment of Blackbutt Reserve, the founding and nurturing of the University of Newcastle; much better social opportunities for the whole of society in modest family home ownership that culminated in the Greater Newcastle Permanent (credit union) Building Society (still very much alive in the 21st century); the highly successful Northern Parks and Playground movement – Mount Sugarloaf, Glenrock Lagoon, Barrington Tops, Myall Lakes; the Botanical Gardens and thus a vast array of environmental improvements to the natural, cultural and social fabric of Newcastle as a place in the sun.
Everywhere you walk or wander you will find in the cityscape and landscape immediate and compelling evidence of Tom’s achievements and beneficial influences. But read all about it as detailed in Christopher Mooney’s majestic and lively biography.
In every sense, Tom Farrell lived for ninety-two years as ‘An ever caring man of integrity and vision’. He was a shining light of the morning star and lived a life studded with achievements. He was simply one of Newcastle’s finest of the century.
John Ramsland
Emeritus Professor of History
Purchase your copy of the biography written by Christopher Mooney "A Powerhouse of a Man Tom Farrell (1904-1996) A Community Champion" and read all about the wonderful and tireless work that Tom Farrell put into our community.