A NEW book about the history of Tocal Agricultural College was launched over the weekend.
‘Personalities, Purpose And Place: The Making Of Tocal College’” was written by the head of the Paterson Historical Society and ex-college principal and lecturer, Dr Cameron Archer.
The launch was held in the chapel on the college grounds and featured speeches from ex-students, principals and lecturers involved in the college’s past and present.
Labelled as “the book of Genesis” by fellow ex-staff member David Brouwer, the book details the college’s beginnings as a deceased estate, originally meant to become a destitute boy’s home, to instead becoming the only government-run agricultural college in Australia.
In his launch speech Dr Archer revealed how the book began.
“I started off writing a book about the Paterson Valley in the 20th Century but did some interviews about the college and realised there’s more than just a chapter here,” Dr Archer said.
“It isn’t really about the history, however; it’s about the people.”
Dr Archer was a lecturer at the college from 1975. He held the position of principal from 1987 to 2015, so there was a wealth of people and sources at his disposal during the 12 months he took to write the book.
He spoke to News Of The Area about the highlights of the writing process.
“I think it showed me how precarious the future of Tocal and the college was at certain stages,” Dr Archer said.
“It was only through the vision, drive and hard work of all the people along the way, which resulted in the college being established and so successful.”
By Joseph RICHARDS
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