Random views and observations from Michael Gorey in Ballarat, Australia

Gorey Things is the personal website of Michael Gorey, a writer based in Ballarat in regional Victoria, Australia. Michael writes about Australian history, politics and opinion, travel, books, food, technology and life in regional Australia. Articles cover topics including colonial history, genealogy, sport, culture and current affairs. Whether you are interested in the gold rush era, Victorian-era figures, walks and hiking trails, or simply curious opinions on life, cuisine and the world, there is something here for you.

Recent articles

Bills horse trough
23 JULY 2026

Bills horse trough

Walking along Pleasant Street South in Ballarat towards my local supermarket, I came across a horse trough on a nature strip outside an ordinary house. I paused to read ...

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Thirty years of computing
10 JULY 2026

Thirty years of computing

I've just bought a refurbished Dell XPS 15-9530 laptop, built in 2023, and it has double the memory of the 2019 Asus Zenbook, which I've been using for the past few years....

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Wake-up call with Robbo
9 JULY 2026

Wake-up call with Robbo

Today I spoke with Mark Robinson on Gold Central Victoria radio about what's happening in the Central Goldfields Shire, filling in for the Council CEO. I've always enjoyed ...

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Nimmons Bridge, Newtown
6 JULY 2026

Nimmons Bridge, Newtown

Nimmons Bridge at Newtown was built in 1889 for trains to traverse a creek on the Ballarat to Skipton railway line. It was Victoria's fourth-largest timber trestle bridge w...

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Bridge Market in Ballarat
4 JULY 2026

Bridge Market in Ballarat

On a cold Ballarat day, it's very tempting to stay under the doona and read or binge watch something on streaming TV. However, today I forced myself outdoors and do a bit of...

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Best wishes to the Socceroos
3 JULY 2026

Best wishes to the Socceroos

Football (soccer) isn't really my sport. I'm more of a rugby union and cricket fan, but I'll certainly be keeping an eye on the Socceroos tomorrow when they take on Egypt ...

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New family history website
14 JUNE 2026

New family history website

I've developed a new family history website at www.goreyhistory.com with information about the Gorey, Burgdorf and Wassenberg families in Australia. I've built this site ...

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Slow-cooked curried sausages
12 JUNE 2026

Slow-cooked curried sausages

Curried sausages are a hearty winter dish and this one comes with a kick, thanks to Asian Green Garden red curry simmer sauce and a South African Tikka Tandoori seasoning. ...

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