AS part of the National Trust Heritage Festival, Euroa Library will next Wednesday host author Stephen Whiteside to speak about his latest book Snow, Fire and Gold. The story is about Spargo’s Hut and the people that lived in it - Alpine gold prospector Bill Spargo and his English wife Evelyn Piper. Mr Whiteside has been walking and skiing throughout the Australian mountains for most of his life while also writing about Australia's history and natural environment. He first heard about Spargo’s Hut, which is above the snowline near Mt Hotham, in 1972 but did not get a chance to visit it until a decade later. While he was aware it had been abandoned for many years, he was shocked to discover it was still jammed full of all the articles required for everyday living. A made-up bed, furniture, boots, overcoat, many tools, pots and pans, and a Coolgardie safe were just part of the evidence of a well lived-in hut. It even had a golf putter. Clearly, the couple had occupied the hut for an extended period of time. After several more visits and extensive research including interviews with family members and people that lived in the area, as well as research into old newspapers and letters, the story of Bill and Evelyn Spargo came together, and Mr Whiteside was able to both publish his book and successfully nominate Spargo’s Hut for registration with Heritage Victoria. The event will be at Euroa Library on Wednesday, 30 April at 2.00pm. For bookings, visit www.gvlibraries.com.au/events, call 1300 374 765 or email euroa@gvlibraries.com.au
