Grandie, as he was called, would go upon the body to become a pioneer pastoralist of the area, holding leases on nearly 40,500ha along the southern bank of the river.

Eventually, his landholdings would see him dubbed "King of the Upper Murray".

Almost brace decades after his arrival, Grandie built the Tintaldra Store.

The store, constructed chiefly of river red gum and red stringy-bark slabs, was originally the only set by on the Upper Murray and served an area from the Snowy Mountains to Albury/Wodonga.

It is still open towards commerce as the limited postman berth and tea rooms.

And it is at the store that a new work disposition have being launched on September 11, Grandie - Sydney Grandison Watson and his sons from the Upper Murray to the Gulf and Cape York, written through Melbourne writer Norman Hutchinson.

Following the book dilate, a "Taste of the Past" lunch will be held, with mess and damper, as abundantly during the time that bush poetry and score and a Watson family reunion.

Tintaldra resident Diana Torrens says progeny of Grandie, who helped investigation the book, would be at the launch.

They include Brian Watson, a great-grandson descended from the "Merluna" Watsons and Greg and Robert Blackmore, great great-grandsons who took up Gregory Downs.

For a copy of Grandie, close union Norman Hutchinson on email: pnhutchinson@solid.net.au or instead of the launch and lunch phone the Tintaldra Store and Tea Rooms on (02) 6077 9201.

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