CHANCE Yeow thought the history of the Bobs Farm Cadre Camp would die with him.
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He was just a child when he and his family, plus about 600 other Portuguese and Timorese people, lived at the Bobs Farm refugee camp during World War II.
Mr Yeow, who now lives at Elermore Vale near Newcastle, was surprised to receive a phone call inquiring about his father last month.
After a conversation with Lorraine Cottam, from the historical society, he soon learned that the refugee camp's history would live on.
Bobs Farm Cadre Camp, the society's book, was more than 10 years in the making.
It was launched with all the ceremony and pomp befitting the achievement on November 27 at Bobs Farm community hall.
About 70 people filled the hall with Mr Yeow a special guest of the society.
"I thought all of this was lost," he said.
"I thought I was the only person in Australia who knew about the camp."
Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzie also attended, who coincidentally attended junior high school in Newcastle with Mr Yeow.
Cr MacKenzie gave the society $500 toward their next publication, which president Denise Gaudion said would come in handy especially after spending a lot of money having Bobs Farm Cadre Camp published - one of the most expensive so far. Much of the cost stemmed from buying photos from the Australian War Memorial.
The book will be available for $25 from the historical society in Lemon Tree Passage, council chambers and Port Stephens Marine Rescue's headquarters.
