What’s happening?
Author Paul Dobbyn has spent the past month promoting his self-published book War Spoils through school visits, media interviews, and a public book launch in Toowoomba.
Early in the month, following an interview with ABC Radio, Mr Dobbyn spoke to around 120 Year 8 students at St Mary’s College. The students are scheduled to study World War I next term.
The visit carried strong family connections. Mr Dobbyn’s father, Denis Dobbyn, and uncles Brian and Bob Dobbyn are Old Boys of the college. His uncle Brian, now aged 97, is featured in the latest Queensland RSL News and is believed to be among the oldest surviving Old Boys.
During the visit, Mr Dobbyn presented a copy of War Spoils to the school library, formally handing it to Humanities Head Mitch Keogh.
These activities formed part of the lead-up to the official Toowoomba launch of War Spoils at Cobb+Co Museum on Monday, November 10.
Why it matters
War Spoils presents World War I through a personal family lens, linking lived experience with historical events studied in classrooms.
The book traces the impact of war across generations, combining a childhood painting, a grandfather’s wartime journal, and later conflicts faced by members of the same family.
In the book’s foreword, former RSL Australia President Major General Greg Melick AO RFD KC (Retd) described War Spoils as:
“A well researched account of the wartime experiences of three members of the author’s immediate and extended family, which once again reminds us of the sacrifices made by so many for us to enjoy our way of life”.
Local impact
The Toowoomba launch attracted strong local interest, including coverage from 7News. A reporter and cameraman attended the full event at Cobb+Co Museum, with the story airing on local news that evening.
Support for the launch was provided by Toowoomba resident Tim Ryan, a former teacher and house demolition expert, who assisted with event logistics and covered the room hire costs.
By the numbers
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Around 120 Year 8 students attended the St Mary’s College talk ahead of their World War I studies.
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Uncle Brian Dobbyn is 97 years old and is featured in the latest Queensland RSL News.
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The official Toowoomba launch was held on Monday, November 10 at Cobb+Co Museum.
Zoom in
Earlier in the year, Mr Dobbyn contacted Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek and was directed through departmental channels.
This led to contact with Queensland Curriculum Director Terry Gallagher, who supplied email addresses for all Toowoomba school principals.
Mr Dobbyn has since contacted each principal to share information about War Spoils as a potential classroom resource.
Zoom out
War Spoils documents wartime service across multiple conflicts and generations.
It details the World War I service of Captain Henry Dobbyn with the Royal Munster Fusiliers and the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, alongside the 1944 death of Pilot Officer Robert Dobbyn while flying with the Pathfinder Force over Europe.
The book also examines the post-war service of Lieutenant Denis Dobbyn, who served with the Australian Intelligence Corps in Rabaul, PNG, during 1945 and 1946.
What to look for next
Mr Dobbyn hopes at least one additional school will accept his offer to speak with Year 8 students studying World War I next year and adopt War Spoils as a study resource.
War Spoils is self-published and available for purchase for $36, including postage.
Orders and enquiries can be made via warspoils2025@gmail.com.