The definitive story of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of the world's most amazing engineering feats - a structure that has become a national icon.

The inside story of a national icon.

'I said to Mum that the sky-workers must have really good heads for heights, but she said, "Either that, or they have a family to feed and will do anything for a job that pays."' It is 1932 and Sydney has hit hard times but the construction of a bridge that will reach across the harbour is setting spirits soaring. Both Alice and Billy tell the story of building the spectacular Harbour Bridge which will link the north shore to the working class suburbs of the south and unify a separated city.

The bridge first opened in March 1932, and was built during the Great Depression by over 2,500 workers. Since then, it has become a quintessential Australian landmark and together with the Sydney Opera House is recognised across the world as a must see destination for tourists and visitors

The award-winning team of Corinne Fenton and Andrew McLean tell the story of Lennie Gwyther and Ginger Mick, a boy and his pony who crossed Sydney's Harbour Bridge on 19th of March, 1932 and marched into history. Nine-year-old Lennie Gwyther dreamed of seeing the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. With his father's blessing, he rode his pony Ginger Mick across Australia, inspiring crowds of supporters to greet him in cities along the way, as he made his way to Sydney. It was there that he saw the bridge that had captivated his imagination and inspired his brave journey. And it was then that he and Ginger Mick became a legend.This inspiring historical story is about persistence, resilience, bravery, courage and hope. It's about pursuing a dream and the impact that journey can have on those who follow.

There are moments in history that connect us and define a country. In our hearts and minds, some moments rely on us to hold onto a dream, face tough challenges, and put in a great deal of effort.Big dreams can take generations. It can also take six million hand driven rivets and 53,000 tonnes of steel.The Day We Built the Bridge celebrates our connection with one another, and declares that despite the greatest of challenges, together we can make history.

A great, untamed story about childhood, a summer holiday and a sinister tragedy that looms over everything.

Originally published: Australia: Allen & Unwin, 2010.

This is the inspiring true story of nine-year-old Lennie Gwyther who, at the height of the Great Depression in 1932, rode his pony from his home town of Leongatha in rural Victoria to Sydney to witness the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Lennie’s 1,000-kilometre solo journey captured the imagination of the nation, and his determination and courage provided hope to many at a difficult time in Australia’s history. Lennie the Legend begins with a terrible accident on the family farm, when Lennie, remarkably at such a young age, takes on the responsibility for the ploughing. Lennie is obsessed with the marvel of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and, as a reward for saving the farm from missing the planting season, his parents grant him his wish to ride on his own to Sydney for the opening of the bridge. Lennie has all sorts of adventures along the way—a thief lurking in the bush in the dead of night, a raging bushfire, surprise appearances, celebrations in his honour, being the star of a newsreel, and meeting the Prime Minister. At the end of each chapter, a double-page spread provides information on topics relating to the chapter, such as The Great War (the personal effects of war; Captain Leo Tennyson Gwyther); Living on the Land (farming life; growing up on a farm); The Great Depression (economic turmoil; surviving the depression); Australia’s Capital City (building Canberra; Parliament House); City Living (Australian cities in the 1930s; Melbourne–Sydney rivalry); The Sydney Harbour Bridge (constructing the bridge; opening the bridge). The story and the information spreads have black-and-white and colour illustrations, including photographs of Lennie at the time. Also provided at the end of the book is a glossary, background reading and an index.

Admired all over the world and loved by locals for its natural beauty, Sydney Harbour is enjoyed by thousands of people every day. But rarely do we look below the surface where, beneath all the hustle and bustle, lively communities go about their business. With underwater forests and gardens, hundreds of species of fish and thousands of invertebrates, Sydney is as colourful and diverse below the water as it is above! Underwater Sydney celebrates Sydney’s incredible harbour and coast through eclectic stories and stunning underwater photography. It also explores the challenges the harbour is facing today after more than 200 years of coastal development and the role that marine science plays in maintaining the harbour’s health. Underwater Sydney will open your eyes to the rich marine life that makes the Sydney estuary and coast so special.