This book, first published in 1985 and revised in 2015, uniquely documents many anecdotes, events and personal experiences of pioneer families in the Templestowe area. As a descendent of one of the earliest settlers in Manningham, Hazel Poulter was privy to a rich oral history of pioneering times.

To this, Hazel has added a detailed account of day to day life during her childhood in the early 20th century. These recollections add a warmth and charm to local history that is not readily achieved by academic historians.