In his working life since his school days at Churchie, Old Boy Jerry O’Sullivan (1960) has been a Stock Agent/Auctioneer, Shopkeeper, Marketing Manager and Grain Trader. Now retired and living in Toowoomba, he has spent the last few years researching and writing a book, interspersed with games of golf of course.

Published under the title ‘Brigalow to Bulldust’, Jerry chronicles a true story of country life and the characters he knew in rural Queensland, spanning Central Queensland, South Burnett, the Darling Downs and west to Roma and Mitchell. The story has origins from the 1880s when Jerry’s grandfather took up land at Muckadilla near Mitchell, through to his own upbringing on ‘Ashmount’. Jerry’s granddaughter Mia, with a little bit of help from her father, designed the cover artwork.

Jerry’s family connection with Churchie is incredibly strong. His father Harry O’Sullivan (1937) and all five of his uncles were Churchie boarders – William O’Sullivan (1933), John O’Sullivan (1936), Dennis O’Sullivan (1938), Desmond O’Sullivan (1939) and Brian O’Sullivan (1948). During the 1930s, Jerry’s father and three of his O’Sullivan uncles were boarders at the same time. The tradition has continued with most of his cousins having followed the same path. Furthermore, grandsons and great-grandsons of the original O’Sullivan’s are past, current and future Churchie boys.

‘Brigalow to Bulldust’ is available for purchase for $35 (incl postage). To purchase a copy, please contact Jerry directly on 0488 130 198 or by email at jerryosullivan45@gmail.com. Copies are also available at the Mitchell Visitor Information Centre which is located within the Great Artesian Spa complex. By buying a copy you will also be supporting MS Research and Ovarian Cancer Research.