small founding community of Margaret River was known. Tracing the families associated with Old Bridge House, this story follows their links through the generations and underlines the roles they played in shaping Margaret River as it is today. It charts their many sagas and supplies insight into the personalities of those involved. Liberally supplemented with extracts from diaries and letters, it provides the reader with a strong sense of 'being there' as each leave their mark on Margaret River's emerging social heritage.

who lived and worked there. Fanny's entries tell of family relationships and the challenges she faced in managing staff and running properties as a single woman. On the wider front her diary opens a window onto much of the history of the State: the lure of pearling and the North West, the establishment of the timber industry and caves tourism in the South West, the discovery of gold and Federation; and provides a valuable timeframe for delving further.