How one family paved way for hundreds

It’s the story of the young Baynie family who migrated to Australia in 1925 from Bane, a tiny village high in the mountains of Lebanon.
David – the eldest son of Mary and Frank Brown and the eldest grandson of Anthony and Alma Baynie, co-wrote the book with his lifelong friend, Richard Broome, to document his grandparents’ resourcefulness.
“I wanted to write the book as a legacy for my grandchildren and to show that through sheer hard work and determination by all members of the Baynie family, not only did they prosper, but they were also responsible for the migration of thousands of Maronite Catholics from Bane to Australia,” he said.
David shares with his readers the vivid, heartfelt and, at times, funny memories that demonstrate the exceptional altruistic works of the Baynie family and in particular, his mother Mary Brown.
“From the 1930s to the late 1970s, these new immigrants from Bane were not only given accommodation on arrival, but were also supported by the Baynie family to navigate the immigration process, access education and health services, secure employment and ultimately their own permanent home here,” David said.
“There are over 9,000 Australians in The Hills District who are descended from these chain migrations.”
This is a free event. No bookings required.