The book titled “Aunty Recheal becomes a Train Driver” was the brainchild of Tashe Long the facilitator of the Narooma Schools and Community Centres Project based at Narooma Public School.

“The delightful thing about this children’s book is that it is a true story about the first Aboriginal woman train driver in New South Wales and it is about local woman Aunty Recheal Daley,” Ms Long said.

The book was written by Phoenix Van Dyke and illustrated by local artist Bethany Thurtell and includes an art work by Recheal’s daughter Tathra Daley, a Narooma High School student.

The book tells the story of Recheal who wanted to be a train driver just like her father in a time that women weren’t train drivers.

It tells of her journey from starting work cleaning platforms at Wynyard Station in Sydney, to working upstairs on the ticket gates and her humorous exposé of wearing a uniform designed for men.

Narooma Public School teacher, Mrs Hodge read the book to students, while the beautifully illustrated book was displayed on a white screen before the students were treated to afternoon tea.