Immerse yourself in the world of small town and contemporary romance with Sandie James.
Backstories
The Ingall's Family History
How the town came about.
Brooke Fairfax's great-great-grandfather, Elijah Ingalls, was one of the first to settle in Bindarra Creek with two other families, the Morgans and Sullivans, in 1839.
Elijah was given fifteen hundred acres to farm in 1839. Running from the north and northwest of the river to where the township of Bindarra Creek is now. In 1842, Elijah gave a stretch of land that ran from the now Mt Ingalls Road to River Road and Main Street to construct a small town. Initially, it was little more than a staging depot for supplies and a layover for travellers between here and Moree and Armidale. During the gold rush years, Bindarra Creek grew a population of ten thousand.
Bindarra Creek map
Fairfax Mansion
The Garden of Eden
Brooke's Great-grandfather Arthur Ingalls went from exclusively growing crops to breeding cattle, once having the finest cattle station in the area. In the 1960s Henry Ingalls Brooke's grandfather sold the last Ingalls farming property. With the funds, he opened Ingalls Development, which he ran until months before his death.
Today
Today, Ingalls Development is run by Gordon Fairfax. Gordon is the business manager, and Brooke’s older brother Duncan and sister Candice are also in the company. Gordon wanted to change the name to Fairfax Development; however, Louise Fairfax, Henry’s only child, refused to have the name changed. In Henry’s Will, Brooke was named as trustee of Ingall’s Development to protect the business from her father and siblings.
About a Town
Welcome to Logans Valley
Logans Valley is the setting for my small-town series Return to Logans Valley. Three stories about rekindling a first love, overcoming prejudice and learning first impressions are not always right.
Logans Valley is a small rural town located in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia.
Founded in 1834 by English aristocrat Sir Francis Holmes who came to Australia to start a better life for his family after his fortune dwindled due to poor management of his estates. He recouped his fortune by owning one of the largest sheep properties of the time. Logans Valley was named after a lifetime friend of Holmes who helped finance the Holmes family’s voyage to Australia.
With a population 1,978 the town has become renowned for its charm and sites around the area. Many tourists who come through the town end up staying days longer than they planned to see the many historical sites. Such as the original house that belonged to the Holmes family and descendants up until to the 1950’s when it was signed over to the local shire council to be used as a school. It has been restored to its original state and furnished with some of the Holmes’ antique furnishings.
Once a year a ‘Back To The Beginning’ weekend is held with towns people and tourist alike dressing in their best 1800’s costumes to remember where the town began. Games from long ago years are held for the children and adults. The festival is held on the last weekend in September.