This is a booklet written by Jack Rooke about his life. Born in 1910 Jack Rooke faced early the challenges of living in the bush in the Camperdown and Panmure areas. He describes the difficulties of the small farmer and the tough living conditions. He also records the struggle to survive during the Depression years in the 1930s and his heartache after his farm was burnt out in the Ash Wednesday fires. Rooke’s story mirrors that of many settlers in the Western District in the early to mid 20th century and so he has produced an important social history in a simple but compelling manner. This booklet is of considerable importance as it gives the details of the life of one person facing the challenges of living in the bush in the district around Warrnambool in the 20th century. It is a simple but great social history that should be read by the younger generation today.This is a soft cover book of 40 pages. It has been self-published and home-produced with a buff-coloured cover and a plastic overlay. The cover has a black and white illustration. The pages contain some sketches and black and white photographs. early 20th century settlement in the warrnambool district, history of warrnambool, jack rooke, camperdown, panmure

Stawell Football Team 1927 in front of Grandstand Central Park. Back Row: Jack Hall Snr, Phil Gray, Albert Oliver, Bob McCracken, Aut. Blackford, Charlie Oliver, Angus Dalziel 2nd Row: Pryderich, McComb, Bill Whitty, Jack Walker, Wally Rooke, XXX? Ray Maddocks, Rodger Uhre, Horrie Hunt, Wadsworth, Jim May, Darby Earle, 3rd Row: Alan Blachford, jack Hall, Ike Cooper, Jack Bissett (C/C), Len Mawson?, Len Hutton, Clem Hall, Joe Middleton (Trainer) Front Row: Clarrie Bates, Eric Rich, Nat Powell (Head trainer), Dick Holiday.Football Team photograph in front of weatherboard wall. Probably No 1 Grandstand. Black and white copy of original photograph with football teams names. List of names written on back of cardboard (see context for list). Cahills Studio Horsham Stawell F.C. Season 1927stawell sport