The Narooma-local historian lives in the seat of Eden-Monaro - a famously bellwether national seat for the 50 years before it was won by Dr Mike Kelly in 2016 - but also the former seat of politicians Sir Austin Chapman and Allan Duncan Fraser. Both held the seat for more than 25 years, despite being on starkly different sides of politics.

The long and successful careers of Mr Chapman and Mr Fraser made Dr Robin wonder how politicians from opposing sides - a Deakinite liberal and a socialist - could represent the same electorate, so successfully, for so long, and what had caused the recent trend away from democracy.

"How could two politicians so different from each other both be so popular in the electorate for so long?" Dr Robin said.

Her new book 'The Quest for Eden-Monaro: A Core Sample of Australian Democracy' began as a concept just before the fires. The 79-year-old spent lockdowns researching the two politicians for a combined biography she hoped would shed light on what makes an apt statesman.

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Dr Robin said the history of Eden-Monaro was incredibly important and offered lessons for the community today.

"It is the story of Eden-Monaro," she said. "It is our story. It belongs to us."

Throughout the book, she reveals the electorate was looking for someone who would represent them, not someone restrained by party allegiances.

"The member belongs to the people," Dr Robin said, quoting former Eden-Monaro MP Jim Snow.

However the entire book hung on a "stroke of luck" according to Dr Robin.

Her research first took her to the National Library of Australia where there was a large collection of Mr Fraser's papers and taped interviews. However there was not enough information on Mr Chapman to write about.

Dr Robin went to Braidwood District Historical Society Museum, where Mr Chapman first served in state parliament, and they too did not have enough information for Dr Robin's book. She left her name and number.

A few weeks later, another resident called in at the museum asking for information regarding Mr Chapman. It was a second generation relative of Mr Chapman. The museum connected Dr Robin and the relative, who in turn referred her to another relative with a private Chapman archive. Without this fortuitous connection, Dr Robin said the book would not have been possible.

Two and a half years after considering the concept, 'The Quest for Eden-Monaro' was released this month, published by Australian Scholarly Publishing.

Dr Robin is excited for the community to read the book and learn about their past and work to shape their future.

That is where her life-long love for history has always come from.

"History tells our stories," she said. "It tells us so much about ourselves - our identity and where we are going.

"History is incredibly important.

"If more people understood the history of the electorate, they would have more appreciation for our democratic process."

Dr Robin is holding a fireside chat with Bega MP Dr Michael Holland as a book launch at Moruya Books on April 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The fireside chat theme was taken from Mr Fraser, who held similar meetings while serving in parliament.

Bookings are essential and can be made through calling 4474 2242.

There is a second book launch with ANU history professor Frank Bongiorno, who wrote the forward of the book, in Cobargo on May 7.

Dr Robin said there would also be book launches held in Bega and Braidwood, with details to be confirmed.