"Dear me, what was that?" - Then and Now No. 7

Australia's media have always taken huge delight in recounting mysterious ghost stories. Here's a report from the Victorian goldfields in 1872:

THEN
Last Monday night, at about 9 o'clock, as the Reverend Mr Bayley, accompanied by two of Mr Hughes' daughters, was driving towards Millhaven, Mr Bayley saw a gaunt female figure, dressed in flowing white robes, rise out of the ground and extend her arm right in front of the horse.

The animal became frightened, and bolted right through the figure.

Miss Hughes exclaimed: "Dear me, what was that?" Mr Bayley endeavoured to pull the horse up, but on he dashed, nor could he be induced to stop till he reached the gate at Millhaven.
- McIvor Times, Heathcote, Victoria, 1872.

• See also: Bushrangers in McIvor Diggings Area. McIvor Times, Issue One, August 1853.
• Illegal Solicitors Busted McIvor Times, Issue Two, August 1853.

NOW

• Alleged Apparition Draws Crowds to Coogee (ABC) February, 2003
• Vandals Destroy Coogee "Virgin" (Sydney Sunday Telegraph)
• This Silly Story (ABC)