Narrandera Shire has been gifted a book by Ms Melinda L Mortimer, the elder daughter of former Narrandera Mayor and jeweller the late Ken Kiesling.

Melinda has written a book titled “And then there was James”, a history of the Kiesling family, including their journey from Germany to Australia during the years 1817-2021.

The story of Ken tells of his birth in Narrandera at the Wollundry Private Hospital, his enlistment into the Royal Australian Air Force at the age of 20 and details his many flight missions during World War II.

Ken and his wife Jeannette owned Kiesling’s Jewellers (near the existing Narrandera Newsagency) for decades. Mr Kiesling served two terms as Mayor of Narrandera Shire from 1973-1975 then again in 1977-1979.

He was well known for the major role he played in establishing the Narrandera Koala Colony on the Narrandera Common in 1973.

A successful Koala Regeneration Program began on the Common in 1972. Reintroduction of koalas was a very successful wildlife project and the foresight of Narrandera Rotarian and local government councillor, the late Mr Kiesling. The project was supported by the Rotary Club of Narrandera, Narrandera Shire Council and National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The initial introduction was 19 koalas sourced from southern NSW and Victoria. After becoming acclimatised to the locality, the koalas were allowed to move out and form further colonies on the 445ha Common and on private property both upstream and downstream, on both sides of the Murrumbidgee River.

Annual koala head counts have taken place on the Common in past years.

The recently revamped Kiesling Lane in the middle of Narrandera's main shopping area in East Street is also named after the late Mr Kiesling. It holds a collection of heritage photographs and storyboards.

Narrandera Mayor Neville Kschenka thanked Melinda and her family for the generous donation of this book to the Shire.

The book will be made available to the community through the Narrandera Shire Library.