HERITAGE NEWSLETTER OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS INC. SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2010 ISSUE No. 11 Some heritage links of Mount Tomah Botanic Garden by Rob Smith, Mount Tomah Botanic Garden Director Situated on a mountain top in the Blue Mountains, Mount Tomah Botanic Garden has many links with the long history of this region. This article will discuss only some of these links.

Mount Tomah has been covered in luxuriant rainforest from earliest times. , Sir Joseph Banks’s collector in crossed the Devils Wilderness1 and camped on Mount Tomah in 1804.

He described the tree ferns and rainforest vegetation in his journal and called the massif, Tree Fern Hill.

Tomah is the Darug word for tree fern2. The mountain is thought to have special significance to Darug On the approaching Mt Tomah circa 1920s. people and there are many signs of Photograph courtesy NSW Government Printing Office. occupation around the springs, rainforest and associated There are sites in the area recorded made an offer by a timber company sandstone cliffs. with occupation dates of about wanting the trees for timber. 9,0003 years ago. Concerned citizens decided to act. Mount Tomah was also part of the network of trails Aboriginal people In 1871, Robert Ftizgerald visited They formed a company, The used to traverse this rugged country Mount Tomah and collected a new Jungle Limited5 to buy the forest for now known as the Blue Mountains. species of orchid. Baron Ferdinand £5000 half of which would be Von Mueller and Robert Fitzgerald raised through £25 - £100 shares. named this orchid species in honour of the work of the Fairfax family in The rest would be raised by using a supporting science, and the arts. mortgage to be repaid from the They named the pencil Orchid expected revenue from a tea house Dendrobium fairfaxii.4 to be built and operated on the site.

This species of orchid is growing in In 1929, 91 cars a day traversed the the Jungle today. This type unsealed Bells Line of Road. description was published in the Sydney Mail of 1871 and the The above photograph taken at the holotype is held in Melbourne now entrance to the botanic garden Botanic Garden Herbarium. shows the look of the forested and fairly rough track that Bells Line was Pictured is the pencil orchid By the 1920s the farmer who owned then. Dendrobium fairfaxii. Photograph the then 280-hectares of warm Continued page 3 courtesy Tracey Armstrong, Mt temperate rainforest, adjacent to Annan Botanic Garden. what is now the botanic garden, was

HERITAGE 1 September -October 2010 From the president’s pen...... Macquarie’s convict sites featured in additions to World Heritage Listing The recent addition of 11 more The site is a powerful symbol of the farming land for free settlement Australian sites to UNESCO’s penal colony of NSW and is closely and improve transport and World Heritage Listing should be associated with efforts to reform overland communication in the seen by all conservationist and and rehabilitate convicts during the colony. Convicts worked in gangs heritage enthusiasts as a Macquarie era. It had been on the Great North Road - some in welcome and truly aspirational occupied by governors from Captain leg irons - quarrying, excavating achievement. in 1788 to Governor and building in laborious and Denison in 1856. tedious work that created a major Together the sites represent the engineering structure in the global phenomenon of *Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney rugged landscape. convictism - the forced migration Hyde Park Barracks is ’s of convicts to penal colonies in first government-built convict The Old Great North Road site is the 18th and 19th centuries - barracks, and the only remaining made up of a small portion of and global developments in the barracks building and complex from around seven and a half punishment of crime in modern the Macquarie era of convict kilometres of the original 250 times. administration. It marked a turning kilometre road. The site point in Australia’s management of incorporates the Devine’s Hill The Australian Convict Sites are transported convicts from Britain. It section (built 1829-32) and the the preeminent examples of our is also significant because it was Finch’s Line section (built 1828 rich convict history, with more designed by Australia’s first and subsequently abandoned). than 3,000 convict sites architect Francis Greenway, and is remaining around Australia. regarded as one of his best works. It is an impressive landscape that retains qualities of the physical This is unique in the world today. *Cockatoo Island convict site, environment in which the convict In 2007 the importance of the Sydney Harbour road builders laboured. Still visible Australian convict memory to all Cockatoo Island was created as a are the massive retaining walls of humankind was recognised penal settlement in 1839 for re- large sandstone blocks, quarried when some of Australia’s convict offending convicts. It was an ideal cliffs with triangular shaped marks records were included in location for hard labour - isolated from the hand-driven drill for UNESCO’s Memory of the World and secure, easy to provision, yet blasting holes and stretches of Register. close to the heart of the colony’s chiselled gutters and remains of major population centre. around 40 stone culverts. Convicts Of the 11 sites that make up the left their mark with graffiti, and World Heritage Australian Convicts and colonial prisoners some of this can still be seen on Convict Sites, four are in NSW quarried massive areas of sandstone blocks today. with several having links to sandstone, excavated and helped to , so often build a dockyard and constructed The other sites are: Kingston and called the “nation’s builder” and about 20 underground grain silos. Arthur’s Vale historic area (Norfolk whose 200th anniversary of his Some were sentenced to solitary Island), Port Arthur historic site (on swearing-in as Governor of confinement in underground cells ’s Tasman Peninsula), NSW is being celebrated this built into the sheer sandstone cliffs. Cascades Female Factory year. The sites are: After the abolition of transportation (Hobart), Darlington Probabation to NSW in 1840, Cockatoo Island Station (Maria Island –Tasmania), * Old Government House and operated as a penal settlement for Coal Mines historic site Domain, Parramatta convicts completing their sentences (Premadeyna – Tasmania), This site is made up of five and for ex-convict and other Brickendon Woolmers Estates buildings and extensive colonial prisoners. (Longford – Tasmania) and archaeological remains set in 55 Freemantle Prison (Western hectares of parkland (the * Old Great North Road, near Australia). Domain). Old Government Wiseman’s Ferry adjacent to the Source: Heritage Division, Australian House is a two-storey rendered Hawkesbury River Government Department of brick building in Georgian style, The Great North Road was built Environment, Water, Heritage and restored to represent the from Sydney to the Hunter Valley by Arts. Macquarie period. Around 100 convicts between 1826 and 1836. It John Leary, OAM convicts lived in huts and was part of an ambitious road President, Blue Mountains worked there during the convict building program to open up fertile Association of Cultural Heritage era. Organisations Inc.

HERITAGE 2 September - October 2010 Botanic Gardens Trust buys Jungle Continued from page 1 On March 23, 1929 the Governor, Sir Dudley de Chair, unveiled a plaque alongside the Fairfax Walk (the late Sir James Fairfax owner of the Sydney Morning Herald had been a major backer of the project).

The Fairfax Walk was a set of paths winding from the tea room to what was dubbed ‘The Temple of Nature’. With the depressed economy of that time the business closed 1934 and the land was resumed.

In 1972 Alfred and Effie Brunet donated 33 hectares of land to Royal Botanic Gardens to make a cool climate botanic garden at Mount Tomah. They had managed the property as a cut flower farm Effie ad Alfred Brunet with George Townsend in front of their cottage. and nursery at Mount Tomah since This also meant the heritage 3 Kenny Suzanne, Mount Tomah 1934. building the Brunets had owned and Darug Aboriginal Connections, used for 34 years as a nursery 2002. pg 4. When they donated their property to building was returned to public 4 Mueller and Fitzgerald 1872, the Royal Botanic Gardens in 1972, ownership. Sydney Mail, The Garden, Flora of many of the original buildings were Australia, Dendrobium Fairfaxii demolished or moved. Now visitors to the botanic garden September 21 pg 360 can see this fine example of nursery 5 A New National Park. ‘The Jungle’. A large corrugated iron shed was buildings of the period. It will soon Invitation to life membership by moved to the adjacent property, the be interpreted for visitors to Mount ordinary share subscription. Jungle. Tomah Botanic Garden and can be Australian National Library ANL seen when visitors take a stroll on MIC—mcN2225 JAFp HISAT 907. In 2009 the Jungle Property was the Lady Vincent Fairfax Walk. purchased by the Botanic Gardens Trust, funded by a generous The acquisition of the Jungle, so it donation from John and Libby is now part of Mount Tomah Botanic State Governor Fairfax as well as the NSW Garden through the generosity of Environmental Trust. John and Libby Fairfax marked the opens completion of the first Botanic After much work, a part of the Bicentenary Project for Botanic Hobby’s Reach original path system was reinstated Gardens Trust at Mount Tomah. and linked to paths from the Botanic Research Centre Garden. Endnotes Her Excellency, Professor Marie 1Andrews Alan E.J., 1984. The Bashir, AC,CVO, Governor of This was re-opened to the public Devil’s Wilderness, George Caley’s NSW officialy opened the exactly 80 years to the day by Journey to 1804. Sadler Wing of the Blue Professor AC, 2 Mountains Historical Society’s Governor of NSW, on March 23, Kenny Suzanne, Mount Tomah Hobby’s Reach Centre on 2009 and named the Lady Vincent Darug Aboriginal Connections, Saturday, September 11, 2010. Fairfax Walk 2002. pg 3

A plaque The wing named after the late Geoff Sadler, a local historian commemo- and former treasurer of the rating the society was built with the major assistance of a grant from Arts support of NSW, a grant which Geoff had the then worked hard to obtain. owner of the Sydney The late Geoff Sadler left his Morning considerable library to the Herald, Sir society which will be housed in the new extension. James Fairfax.

HERITAGE 3 September -October 2010 A pictorial archive of the Blue by Graham Warmbath - President, Blue Mountains Mountains Historical Society Inc. To the historian, a photograph is a “Sometime ago, HERITAGE asked the author of this article,Graham story without words. Warmbath how he became interested in history and the following was his reply : The Blue Mountains Historical Society has a collection of 7000 “You ask me how I became interested in heritage? My answer is ‘over photographic images in Hobby’s time’! I learnt from Scottish ghost stories and English antiques. Reach Research Centre at Wentworth Falls. Each one is a “On Blaxland Road, a green road sign inscribed ‘museum’ led me to historical document - visual Hobby’s Reach. What did that mean? I had to find out. evidence to help place people, events and buildings at a moment in “Visit Hobby’s Reach Research Centre and more than one new tale time. unfolds -Lieutenant Hobby’s ‘long reach, quite straight’ road for a start; how Mr Vaniman photographed Katoomba with his immense camera While the collection is from the top of a twenty five foot pole - and even more from the three- predominantly a local history dimensional evidence of 1890s Tarella cottage in the grounds outside. archive, it includes photographs of national significance and examples “Histories and things that have been valued are keys to a proper of early photographic techniques. To understanding of today, because they unlock circumstances that have shed light on the latter, calls for a given rise to today.Without understanding this, it is impossible to see little historical context: a way forward.”

In Persia around 1000AD, the It was 1822 and Niépce called his professional photographer, Father of Optics, Alhazen, image, a heliograph. In 1839, advertised ‘Photographic Portraits described a ‘dark chamber’ with an another Frenchman and a chemist, taken by the reflection of light’. aperture through which sunlight can L-JM Daguerre, also used a camera project an image from the outside to expose a silver-coated copper The earliest image in the Blue onto a ‘screen’ within - the camera plate which, once developed and Mountains Historical Society’s obscura. fixed, produced a one-off, no collection is the portrait of a lady, a negative, lasting image: daguerreotype, the process Moving on, in 1727 a German favoured by richer people because anatomist, JH Schulze, noticed that ‘You are aware that iodine is used in its image was unique, dated around light darkened silver salts. Then the Daguerre’s process for getting the 1850. French inventor Nicéphore Niépce, solar drawing on his silvered plate. used a camera to make a view from Who could have anticipated that the Next is a carte-de-visite print on his window on a pewter plate. discovery of a violet-coloured gas in albumen-coated card, dated around the refuse of kelp would lead to 1853. The pièce de résistance is a such important results?’ asked portrait of Queen Victoria’s second Sir John Franklin in the Tasmanian son, Prince Alfred (the royal visitor Journal of Natural Science of 1842. who was shot at Clontarf on March 12, 1868), on glass. Mitchell Library Finally in 1840, a British inventor, Curator of Photographs, Alan WH Fox Talbot, achieved a Davies, has identified this as a negative-to-positive image and unique wet collodion image of produced the first coated-paper around 1864. photographs - he did not explain how ‘coated’ - but he used a The collection’s earliest black and camera to expose a sensitised white image on paper is of solitary paper, developed a negative image One Tree Hill, taken by an unknown and then, by contact printing to photographer around 1869. another sensitised paper, a positive. This realised the potential of By the way, John William Berghofer producing multiple positive images, - after whom the Pass is named and and popular photography was born. who initiated the 1913 celebrations of the crossing of the Blue It was 1841 when Captain Lucas of Mountains - reputedly said that the the French barque Justine took name One Tree Hill ‘attracts Australia’s first photograph (of tourists’.The society holds an Centennial Cottage gardener, Bridge and George Streets, Sydney) elegant portfolio of Joseph William Wright (with friend), H using Daguerre’s process. Bischoff’s large-scale prints of the Phillips. 1909. - Blue Mountains and surrounds. Historical Society Collection In the following year, George Continued page 5 Goodman, Australia’s first

HERITAGE 4 September - October 2010 Earliest image dates back to 1869 Continued from page 4 Hobby’s Reach Research Centre. Phillips fell in love with the Blue These were taken during Frederick The Mountaineer’s report of Mountains during convalescence Eccleston Du Faur’s 1875 November 27, 1903 follows: after a hand injury prevented him expedition, designed to entice continuing a printing career. artists and photographers to record ‘For some time past a pole 80 feet Blue Mountains’ scenery for display high has been standing in the high The society has a prized store of his at the Philadelphia Exhibition of part of the Katoomba Park, and all glass photographic plates, several 1876. that was known of it was that it was fine albums and many of the for taking a photograph of distinctive overwide brochures with To get these photographs, the Katoomba. which he publicised the mountains. expedition relied on donkeys to carry camping and cumbersome ‘It has been standing for some time Phillips was inspired by the seas of photographic equipment down the waiting for an opportune day, and mists periodically rising from the Engineer’s Track and into the was utilised on Wednesday last. valleys, temporarily marooning the Valley. ridges, and also by the drama of ‘We saw the photographer, Mr cloud formations. Even so, his Melvin Vaniman from San pastoral picture of wildflowers at Mt Francisco, USA, who is under Wilson, dated 1920, remains one of special assignment with the New my favourites. South Wales government and railway commissioners, and had the Here I must pause, knowing that I pleasure of seeing some of his have not mentioned such magical unique work. images as those of the gold prospector at Lithgow, the Cutty ‘These are panoramic pictures Sark at Circular Quay, Sydney’s taken on one plate 48 x 16 inches, ratcatchers, the Pickwick Club on a and embracing a panorama of over bushwalk, or the first train over the 190 degrees. mountains. While historians evaluate content and photographers ‘Some idea of the vastness of the process, I have applied but one panorama can be obtained when we empirical criterion in selecting explain that a picture was obtained images for description here: ‘does of and the the image please?’. surroundings which take in the top HMAS Australia entering Lookout, the Falls, the Three Sutherland Dry Dock, Cockatoo Hobby’s Reach is open to all on Sisters, the Broken Wall, Mount Island 1919. - Blue Mountains Tuesday and Friday mornings Solitary and round to the Orphan Historical Society Collection throughout the year. Rock. This will be the finest view of Also held by the society is an Katoomba Falls in existence’. But it Acknowledgements: References are original collection of Mount Victoria is the profusion of Harry Phillips’ available. Information over time is photographer Ebenezer Caney’s work from 1909 now held by the acknowledged from Gwen Silvey, sepia toned albumen prints of society which perhaps outweighs OAM, Alan Tierney, Alan Davies, scenery, dated that of other photographers of Gael Newton, Gurd Ewart, Jim about 1882; a tintype album of mountains scenery. Smith, and Joan Smith around 1880, containing thirty six postage stamp size individual portraits - the technique was extremely popular in America and not expensive; a photograph of the Explorer’s Marked Tree by Charles Kerry, dated 1885 - Kerry made photographs into postcards which are much valued by collectors today; a stereograph by Judge Docker of his daughters Muriel and Rosamund with Mrs Vivian viewing the Three Sisters, dated 1898; and a Frank Hurley montage of Ross and Keith Smith’s biplane flight over the Three Sisters, dated 1920.

There is also Melvin Vaniman’s two framed, nationally significant panoramic photographs by this H Cummins (photo donor) quizzes Sir at Australia’s American photographer hung at 1951 Federation Jubilee. - Blue Mountains Historical Society Collection

HERITAGE 5 September -October 2010 Crossing of the Blue Mountains and opening up the west 1813 - 1815 commemoration

The Royal Australian Historical while it was noted that the RTA had Harbour to the Hunter Valley which Society earlier this year offered to been surveying Cox’s route as a could be used for a western walk co-ordinate activities to possible walking trail. including the various crossings and commemorate the bicentenary of descents. the first European crossing of the Penrith’s mayor, Cr Kevin Crameri Blue Mountains and appointed its and Penrith City Council’s local National Trust branches at Lithgow senior vice president Professor studies librarian, Lorraine Stacker and Blue Mountain have been David Carment to oversee this role. indicated a number of activities discussing for some years were already being planned to commemorations of the completion At a meeting of BMACHO’s commemorate the start of the first of Cox’s Road. management committee in June it crossing from Emu Plains. was suggested that the RAHS might The next meeting of the RAHS convene a meeting of interested The president of Hartley District group will be held in Penrith later parties from Penrith through the Progress Association, Ramsay this month and those societies or Blue Mountains and Lithgow to Moodie also indicated a public heritage groups interested in Bathurst so that the meeting had recently been held to proposing ideas for the commemoration could have lasting discuss commemoration activities. commemoration will be invited to benefit. this meeting. RAHS manager, Mari Metzke It was also strongly felt that the commented on the concept of the For further details contact commemoration should not only be Great North Walk from Sydney John Leary on 4758 8584 or of the period of the first crossing [email protected] but should include recognition of the surveying and road construction National Library Australia calling which opened the way to the west and ultimately Macquarie’s visit to Bathurst and his proclamation of for contributions to Australian that town in 1815 newspaper service President of the RAHS, Associate The National Library of Australia is For further information about how to Professor Ian Jack convened a now inviting contributions to its contribute to the Australian meeting in Sydney in late July which Australian newspapers service. newspapers service, please see the was attended by representatives Contributor Guidelines (http:// from local government, historical This service provides free online www.nla.gov.au/ndp/get_involved/ societies, the Land & Property access to digitised Australian documents/ Management Authority (Bathurst) newspapers through Trove ANScontributorguidelines2010final.pdf) and BMACHO. trove.nla.gov.au, the national and Factsheet (http:// resource discovery service. www.nla.gov.au/anplan/documents/ A number of representatives at the Benefits_of_ANDP_Model_for_ meeting indicated consideration With 40 million articles from over Contributors_000.pdf), or call the was being given to various ideas 100 newspaper titles representing National Library on 02 6262 1685. every Australian state and territory scheduled to be in the service by COUNCIL TO GET June 2011, Australian newspapers Neolithic beer will enable users to explore online HERITAGE ADVISORY an unprecedented quantity and COMMITTEE REPORT An American brewery has re- range of Australia’s newspaper created a 9000-year-old beer heritage. There has been considerable after claiming to have analysed discussion in recent years Neolithic pottery found in China. From July 2011, the National Library between BMACHO and senior will be implementing a model which staff at Blue Mountains Ciity Chateau Jiahu was brewed from enables other libraries and Council concerning the wildflower honey, Muscat grapes, institutions to fund digitisation of establishment of a heritage barley malt, hawthorn fruit and specific newspaper titles. advisory committee. chrysanthemums. The Australian newspapers service Last month following a Dr Patrick McGovern, a is part of the Australian Newspaper preliminary report, council biomolecular archaeologist, Plan ), a cooperative endeavour further report on BMACHO’s on a trip to China 10 years ago. through which Australian libraries proposal before the end of March Telegraph London collect, preserve and provide 2011. access to Australian newspapers.

HERITAGE 6 September - October 2010 JOHN ROSS, CONVICT LABOURER ON THE COX’S ROAD IN 1814 By Jan Koperberg When I first started to research my family history little did I expect to find an ancestor who had been found guilty of highway robbery, sentenced to hang, later to be commuted and transported to the colony of finally ending up as a labourer on the first road over the Blue Mountains in 1814.

Searches into my ancestry found that my third great grandfather was John Ross born c.1784, in County Tyrone, Ireland. 1.

In 1805, he was charged with highway robbery, which led him to be tried at Salop Assizes, Shrewsbury in County Shropshire, England.

John pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty, to be hanged, no goods. No goods meant John had no possessions to confiscate. On March 23, 1805 he was sentenced to death, but this was commuted. 2. John Ross was sentenced on October 8, 1805 to transportation for the term of his natural life. 3.

The Shropshire Lent Assize, March 23, 1805, No 112, A Calendar of The Criminal Prisoners, In the Custody of Richard Cartwright, Reproduced above with permission of Mitchell Library, State Library of Keeper of his Majesty’s Gaol for the New South Wales is a watercolour by E.Purcell titled -Part of Cox’s County of Salop, Thomas Pass, New South Wales, 1821 (Ref: SV1B/Blu M/21.) Whitmore, Esquire, Sheriff records: Ireland. Condemned and “Charged upon the oath of John “No 20. John Ross, aged 22, In his reprieved.” Edwards, of the Parish of Oldbury, Majesty’s Army of Reserve, born in in the said County of Salop, labourer, with having in the night ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND RESEARCHER between the 12th and 13th days of February, 1805, violently assaulted The author she started family history him the said John Edwards, on the and research in earnest. king’s highway, in the Parish of St. researcher of Mary Magdalen, in the town of this article, Research into family lines have Bridgnorth, in the said County of Jan produced links to England, Salop, put him in fear, and taken Koperberg Ireland, Scotland, Denmark and from his person about thirteen has lived in Sweden, with a distant cousin in shillings and sixpence in money: the Blue Chile. committed until the next assizes to Mountains beholden in and for the said County since 1967, Jan is the vice president and of Salop, or until he shall be thence where she former secretary of Blue discharged by due course of law, raised her family and worked in a Mountains Family History Society the 13th day of February, 1805, by medical practice for 30 years. Inc., a committee member NSW Thomas Carter, Gentleman, Bailiff.” & ACT Association of Family She retired from full time work at History Societies Inc. and is Continued page 8 the end of 2005, which is when currently secretary of BMACHO.

HERITAGE 7 September -October 2010 Convicts praised in ‘Memoirs of William Cox’ Continued from page 7 From the Shropshire General Quarter Sessions, October 8, 1805, No 110, A Calendar of the Criminal Prisoners, In the Custody of Richard Cartwright, Keeper of His Majesty’s Gaol for the County of Salop, Thomas Whitemore, Esq. Sheriff records: “Sentenced to be Transsported [sic]: No 24. John Ross, aged 22, During the term of his natural life.” 4.

The Convict Indent states that John Ross was transported on the Duke of Portland and arrived in the colony in 1807.

His native place was given as Co Tyrone, his trade as weaver, his hair colour brown, his eye colour hazel, his height 5ft 5 in tall and his Cox’s Pass site of railing which stretched across the drop to the rock in background. This was in place to keep stock on the road. complexion ruddy.5. Photograph by Jan Koperberg, May 2010. The ship Duke of Portland departed She arrived in the colony on the John was a labourer on ‘The Road’, London on February 26, 1807 and Canada on September 8, 1810. 9. having been selected as being arrived in Sydney NSW on July 27, accustomed to field labour and 1807. The ship’s master was John On July 5, 1813, the marriage of supposed to be accustomed to Clark Spence. The voyage took John Ross and Elizabeth Bennett, undergo the fatigue of hard work 189 days.6. by Banns, is recorded in the register and sleeping on the ground. The of St Matthew’s Church of England, reward – Emancipation. John Ross was to survive the sea Windsor. journey and in the General Muster The following extracts are taken of NSW, Norfolk Island and Van They were married by the Rev from ‘Memoirs of William Cox, J.P., Diemen’s Land 1811, John Ross is Cartwright and the witnesses to the Lieutenant and Paymaster of NSW recorded as being a resident of marriage were James Vincent, Thos Corps or 102nd Regiment, Late of NSW with the status of ‘convict; Holding and John Holden. Both Clarendon, Windsor’: having arrived on board the Duke of John and Elizabeth put an X mark, Portland after his trial Shrewsbury’ so neither could write.10. “Dec 10 Fine day; wind west. where he had been sentenced in Finished the bridge over the east February 1805 to 7 years On July 10, 1814, a daughter, Mary, branch, 22 ft long, 13 ft wide. imprisonment, although in fact it was born to John and Elizabeth Carpenters, etc., made a good had been for life.7. Ross, at Windsor, NSW.11. Mary strong job of it. The working married Isaac Perrett, at Christ bullocks strayed and not found till On January 24, 1812 a son, Church, Newcastle, NSW, on sunset. Sick: P Hanragan, J William, was born to John Ross and October 11, 1831. 12. Isaac was Tindall, H Morton. Ordered six Elizabeth Bennett, in Windsor, transported to Australia on the married men to go back to the NSW. Hadlow in 1818. mountain to finish the road down it to the valley. When done, they are There is no birth registered with He was a native of Gloucestershire, to be discharged – S Parker, J NSW Registry of Births, Death and England.13. Isaac was later Ross, J Tindall, P Hanragan, P Marriages. However, St Matthew’s recorded as a Constable, Bush Marman and J Watkins. Also Church of England, Windsor Constable and Farmer at Patricks ordered J Wilson to go forward on records William’s birth January 24, Plains. 14. Monday with nine others road- 1812 and his baptism August 15, making. 1813, The minister at the time was The General Muster of NSW 1814 Rev Robt Cartwright.8. records John Ross of Windsor still “Dec 11 (Sunday) At 6am sent six with the status of convict being ‘on men back to the mountain to Elizabeth Bennett had been tried at stores at the Mountains.15. complete the road. At 7am sent 10 the Devon Assizes, Exeter, County men forward to encamp at Devonshire. She pleaded not guilty, The men who were receiving ‘stores Blaxland’s Mountain, under but was found guilty of grand at the Mountains’, were the men Watson’s charge. … …” larceny, to be transported for a term building the first road and Governor of 7 years. Lachlan Macquarie decreed that no one else was to enter the area and Continued page 9 interrupt their important work.

HERITAGE 8 September - October 2010 Road work was hard - the prize, emancipation Continued from page 8 Hawkesbury, to his wife Elizabeth It states: John Ross per ‘Duke of “Dec 15 Loaded the three carts, and and children William and Mary, who Portland’ 1807 of Richmond, 1820 sent them forward at 6am At 7am was born only 5 months earlier. May 26, Memorial went forward myself and came up Although the work was hard, the with the party at the 10-mile, to “To His Excellency Governor hours long and the weather cold which they had completed the road, Macquarie and wet for a good part of the time, except turning some rock out of it The humble memorial of John Ross the men were well fed, clothed and after you ascend the hill at Most respectfully showethThe cared for by William Cox. Blaxland’s Mountain. Returned at Memorialist arrived in the Transport ship ‘Duke of Portland’ in the year 10, and sent forward three men with He knew he would benefit by 1807. That he lived several years crowbars, pickaxes, etc. to treating them well and they in turn with Mr G W Evans, Deputy complete the road, and remain with had the enticement of emancipation Surveyor, at Hobart Town, then the party ahead. J Allen very ill; as encouragement. William Cox residing at Richmond, that he was ordered him back from Mr Hobby’s was a kind and caring man, who emancipated for his services at party to mine. At 1pm one of the had great insight and understanding Bathurst under William Cox party at the mountain came to of human nature. report they had finished their task. Esquire, since which he has Sent Lewis back to examine it, and endeavoured to support himself and found it completed. Gave them John Ross received a Conditional his wife and 4 children, by his their discharge (six men), and sent Pardon from Governor Lachlan honest industry and by renting a a cart with them as far as the Macquarie, on June 5, 1815. All the few pieces of land, but having Nepean, to carry their bedding. A other information given on his suffered very severely by the late dull, heavy day, with light rain in the Convict Indent was recorded on his floods he is induced to solicit Your afternoon. Men worked well at the Pardon, No 585. 17. Excellency to be graciously pleased bridge and causeway to it.” 16. to grant him a portion of land, by On September 16, 1816, John Ross which he may be enabled to There is an overhanging rock on is recorded in the St Matthew’s maintain himself and family by his Cox’s Pass, where the road builders church register, as a witness to the labor. And memorialist will ever pray would have been able to sleep and Marriage by Banns of John Foley John Ross dry their bedding, which would have and Frances Johnson, performed by been an improvement to sleeping in the Rev Samuel Marsden. Once We certify to His Excellency the the open, under all weather again he witnessed with his X mark. Governor that we consider conditions. The bride was the only member of petitioner as coming with [sic] the the bridal party able to sign. 18. meaning of the General Order of the That part of the rock overhang 20 May last and recommend him features in the sketch Part of Cox’s In 1817 a son, John was born to accordingly. Pass, by E Purcell held by the John and Elizabeth Ross and on National Library of Australia at http:/ January 24, 1819, a daughter Jane Wm Boggs /catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/ was born, both at Windsor, NSW.19. John Cross Chapn 2034425 Richmond 26th May 1820" The State Records of NSW holds a John Ross would have been very memorial written for John Ross to (1817 has been crossed out and pleased to return to the Governor Lachlan Macquarie. 1820 written above) Written on left corner is ‘50 acres’. 20.

A son, George, was born to John and Elizabeth Ross, in Windsor, NSW on July 31, 1822. 21.

By 1822 the General Muster and Land and Stock Muster of NSW recorded John Ross as a landholder with the following property at Windsor: G L & P (Grant, Lease and Purchase), Resident on Farm. Acres in: Wheat 2-3/4, Maize 3, Pease/Beans ¼, Pots ¼, Cleared Ground: 13-1/2, Total held: 46-1/2. Stock: Horses 4, Horned Cattle 12, Hogs, 10. Patty Lane of Newcastle and Jan Koperberg, both descendants of John Bushels of grain in hand, Maize Ross at Cox’s Pass. Pick-marks some made by a left-handed man can 14.22. be seen in the rock carved gutter. Continued page 10

HERITAGE 9 September -October 2010 John Ross, landholder, employs convict labour Continued from page 9 He is buried at Whittingham 5. NSW State Records, Convict In the 1823, 1824, 1825 General Cemetery, near Singleton NSW. Indents, Fiche 632, Page 258, Film 393, Muster List of NSW John Ross is The headstone for John and Reel 4/4004. recorded with the status of Elizabeth Ross is engraved with the 6. The Convict Ships 1787-1868 by Charles Bateson. ‘landholder’ at Richmond, while his words: 7. General Muster of NSW, Norfolk wife Elizabeth Bennett had the Island and Van Diemen’s Land 1811. status of ‘free by servitude’. By then To the memory of 8. St Matthews Windsor Baptisms, the family had increased to include JOHN ROSS LMFHG 2003. William, Mary, Jane and George.24. who departed this life 9. NSW State Records, Convict March 15th 1834 50 years. Indents, Fiche 633, Page 334, Film 393, In the Index & Registers of Land Also to the memory of Reel 4/4004. Grants – Leases & Purchases 1820 ELIZABETH ROSS 10. NSW Marriage Transcription, (Marbract Services), Ref No – Vol 3A, – 1856 the listing indicates John wife of above No 1518, St Matthews Windsor Ross land grant at Richmond was 1 who departed this life Marriages, LMFHS 2003. 25. th acre, 1 rood, 1perch in size. August 15 1864 79 years. 11. NSW Registry of BDMs, Reg No Therefore be ye also ready to for V1814379 156/1814, V81814190 1B/ John Ross is not mentioned in the such an hour 1814. 1828 census of NSW and it is as ye think not the son of man 12. NSW Marriage Transcription, probable he may have been moving cometh (Marbract Services), Ref. No. – Vol 3B, his family from the Hawkesbury No 5455. district to the Hunter Valley district. It is a sandstone headstone and the 13. NSW State Records, Convict Indents, Fiche 640, Page 185, Film 394, inscription is very, very worn. It is in Reel 4/4006. He most likely travelled the newly front of the grave of Benjamin 14. NSW State Records, Col.Sec.1788- completed Great North Road and Singleton and also near the 1825, Reel 6068, p. 51, Fiche 3302, 4/ was probably on the road when the headstones and graves of Perrett 7419, 1 p.16. census was taken. relatives. 15. General Muster of NSW 1814. 16. Memoirs of William Cox, J.P., In 1829, a daughter, Elizabeth was Elizabeth Ross survived her Lieutenant and Paymaster of NSW nd born. husband, John, by 30 years and is Corps or 102 Regiment, Late of buried with him at Whittingham Clarendon, Windsor. In extracts from the Baptism 17. State Records of NSW, Item 4/ Cemetery. She was living at 4430, Reel 774, Page 089. Register, Parish of St Peters, East Newington, near Singleton when 18. St Matthews Windsor Marriages, Maitland, Hunter Valley, NSW, a she died.30. LMFHS 2003. baptism is recorded for Elizabeth 19. NSW Registry of BDMs, Reg No. Ross dated February 10, 1829, I am in awe of the achievement of V18177191 1B/1817, V1825380 156/ father John, mother Elizabeth, William Cox and his 30 convict 1825 for John and V1819381 156/1819, abode Darlington, (which is on the workers who built the first road over V18257192 1B/1825 for Jane. northern side of the Hunter River, the Blue Mountains in six months. 20. State Records of NSW, Col.Sec.1788-1825, Fiche 3029; 4/ Singleton), father’s occupation was John Ross was my third great 1825A No.656 pp.531-2. given as farmer. 26. grandfather in my maternal 21. NSW Registry of BDMs, Reg No. grandmother’s line. V18227193 1B/1822, V1822382 156/ In the Convicts & Employers (NSW) 1822. Index: 1828, 1832-1833, Jan 1838- My grandmother was born at 22. General Muster and Land and Stock Jan 1844 by Pastkeys: ROSS Patricks Plains in 1880, the Muster of NSW 1822. John, an employer, received on 28 thirteenth child of George Perrett 23. NSW Registry BDMs, Reg. No. August 1833, Assignment Male, at and Amelia Leary. George Perrett V18257194 1B/1825, V1825383 156/ Patricks Plains, a seaman & a was born at Patricks Plains in 1832, 1825. 24. 1823, 1824, 1825 General Muster farming man (Government Gazette). the son of Mary Ross and Isaac 27. List of NSW. Perrett. 25. Index & Registers of Land Grants – Leases & Purchases 1820-1856. So John was obviously in a position I am thankful that Lachlan 26. Extract from Baptism Register, to not only feed and clothe his Macquarie was governor at the time Parish of St Peters, East Maitland and family, but was able to feed and and William Cox was the road NSW BDMs V1829789 15/1829, clothe farm help, in the way of builder. V182910513 1C/1829. convict labour. 27. Pastkeys, Convicts & Employers Sources (NSW) Index 1828, 1832-1833, Jan 1. NSW State Records, Convict Indents, The 1834 and 1837 postal 1838-Jan 1844. Fiche 632, Page 258, Film 393, Reel 4/ 28. 1834 and 1837 Post Office directories list the family as living at 4004. Directories. Patricks Plains and receiving mail at 2. Calendars of Prisoners, Salop 29. State Records of NSW, Early Darlington Post Office.28. Assizes, 23 March 1805. Probate Records, Series NRS 13502, 3. Calendars of Prisoners, Salop Item 6/4192. John Ross died intestate on March Assizes, 8 October 1805. 30. NSW Registry BDMs Reg. No. 15, 1834 and administration was 4. Calendars of Prisoners, Salop 1864/5343 and State Records of NSW, granted on November 16, 1842 to Assizes, 1805, QS 10/2, March and Probate Packet, Series 1-6140, Record October 1805. Elizabeth Ross, his widow. 29. Series 13660, granted 13 Sept 1864.

HERITAGE 10 September - October 2010 ARCHDUKE FRANZ FERDINAND’S VISIT TO THE MOUNTAINS Contributed by Peter Chinn Perusal of the pages of “The Nepean Times”, one of our local newspapers from the 1880s to 1962, held in the Local Studies Collection at “Braemar”, frequently uncovers gems of local history. One such was this item published on May 20, 1893:

“Distinguished Visitors on the Mountains His Imperial and Royal Highness Franz Ferdinand D’Este, Archduke of Austria-Hungary, paid a visit to the mountains on Wednesday last. District Superintendent Henson had charge of the special train and he speaks in the highest terms of the treatment the officials received at the hands of the visitors. His Royal Highness expressed himself as highly pleased with the visit. He said he was very pleased that he had brought his vessel on to Sydney if only to visit such wonderful sites as Wentworth Falls, Govettt’s Leap and the .”

Franz Ferdinand was heir Sydney hospital by way of presumptive to the thrones of the assuaging ruffled royal feathers. twin kingdoms of Austria and Hungary which were ruled at the Then there was the visit of Queen time by the aged Emperor Franz Victoria’s teen age grandsons Josef. Prince Albert and Prince George (later King ) in May 1881. He was undertaking a world tour Prince George, as Duke of York, with his wife, Archduchess Sophie paid a second visit to Australia with on board Kaiserin Elisabeth his duchess in 1901. (Empress Elizabeth) which was described as the most powerful It is therefore not surprising that our cruiser in the Austro-Hungarian forebears treated any royalty with navy. (It should be remembered that adulation, and as evidenced by unlike the small, land-locked Austria reportage no small degree of sycophancy and grovelling. of modern times the Austro- Archduke Francis Ferdinand Hungarian Empire up to its The Sydney Morning Herald of May It was anticipated that the landing dissolution at the end of the Great would be effected at either 11am or War had an extensive coastline on 17, 1893 gave a detailed report of the arrival of the Kaiserin Elisabeth 12pm but both these hours went by the Adriatic Sea and possessed a without the expectations of the powerful navy). which arrived the previous day and anchored in Farm Cove after the crowd being realised. Rumours were then circulated that his The pages of The Sydney Morning firing of a 21 gun salute from the Highness would not come ashore Herald recorded in great detail the Dawes Point Battery. until 3pm; but at 1.30pm when not royal couple’s arrival and activities more than 70 persons were present, while in the colony. Many dignitaries visited the ship to pay their respects. The first aboard the Archduke, accompanied by Archduke Leopold Ferdinand of Those of us who remember Queen was the acting Consul for Austria- Tuscany and suite, were landed by Elizabeth II’s first visit to Australia in Hungary followed by the Lieutenant- a launch. 1954 and the extensive coverage of Governor of New South Wales, Sir her activities in the media will have Frederick Darley and his entourage. There was no ceremony of any some idea of the attention given to As the latter departed the Kaiserin kind, the Archduke having Franz Ferdinand and Sophie. Elisabeth fired a 17 gun salute, which must have been quite expressed a wish to land incognito. The party, dressed as ordinary In those days Australia’s startling. tourists, seated in two cabs which remoteness from what was then had been waiting about, and drove regarded as the centre of the world The report mentioned that ‘Crowds off without as much as a cheer or in Europe meant that Australians of persons were assembled at Man- the waving of a single handkerchief. were deprived of the presence of o’-War Steps through the morning, world celebrities. but most of the people left shortly after 12 o’clock.’ At 3 o’clock in the afternoon his Imperial Highness returned the The attempted assassination of Lieutenant- Governor’s visit. His Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh at They had collected to see the royal Highness also visited the Australian Clontarf in March 1868 was visitor land, and had been Museum and in the evening he probably a negative for royal visits, disappointed. returned to the Kaiserin Elisabeth. notwithstanding the naming of a Continued page 12

HERITAGE 11 September -October 2010 Archduke’s party viewed Wentworth Falls and Govett’s Leap Continued from page 11 It has to be said that the Archduke’s Franz Ferdinand was keen on shooting was not entirely pointless hunting – shooting game – and had blood sport. indulged in this while visiting India before arriving in Australia. A taxidermist and photographer accompanied his party, and While here a special train was animals, after being shot, were arranged to take the Archduke and skinned and dissected, the bones entourage to Narromine to pursue numbered for the purpose of being this pastime. reassembled and inclusion in a museum in his homeland. It was reported that the train was stopped on arriving at the top of the The royal party departed Sydney Lapstone Zig Zag for the party to early in June 1893, and with that, take in the panoramic view of the their brief encounter with the Blue plains. Mountains passes into history.

At Wentworth Falls everyone On June 28, 1914 Archduke Franz alighted from the train to be driven Ferdinand and Archduchess Sophie Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este to the falls themselves. were assassinated by a young (1863-1914) with his wife, Sophie Serbian nationalist while visiting and family The beauty of the falls and the Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and appeared to make a On another day a flock of emus Herzegovina, half a world away great impression on the Archduke were driven past the Archduke who from the Blue Mountains and suite. His Imperial Highness succeeded with the rifle in killing a said it was worthwhile coming to very fine specimen and wounding This was the spark that precipitated New South Wales if it were only to another which was afterwards the Great War. see that view. secured. The pages of The Nepean Times At Blackheath vehicles conveyed At the conclusion of the Narromine made no reference at the time to the party to Govett’s Leap, and the adventure the Archduke returned to the fate of our erstwhile royal magnificence of the view here also Sydney in the luxury of a special tourists. seemed to strike the Archduke. carriage attached to a mail train. However, over the next four years In the Narromine district the The Archduke later visited the there were to be all too many Archduke and party were guests at Southern Highlands for a further references to young soldiers from a couple of properties where they slaughter of wildlife, including a the Blue Mountains who were killed had the opportunity to shoot wildlife. platypus on the . or wounded in action in the Great War. It was recorded that after breakfast one day the party set off with 20 About the author of this article horsemen to drive the game. A number of kangaroos were shot Peter Chinn (pictured) historian and others were caught by the and researcher, who with his wife, dogs. Joyce has lived in Springwood for 46 years, is the president and At the first drive his Imperial research officer of Springwood Highness ‘succeeded in shooting, Historical Society Inc. with great rapidity, five kangaroos, so that he very soon established He retired from the Australian himself in the estimation of those Custom Service in 1996 after 40 present as being a first-class years service and was recalled in marksman’. (He was to find the 1998 to the ideal one-day-a-week situation somewhat reversed some job of history officer with ACS years later in Sarajevo!) which concluded last month.

The following day ‘more kangaroos History has been an abiding fell to the Archduke’s rifle. Ducks of passion for Peter since early a number of varieties, as well as childhood. pelican, ibis, cranes, eagles and Lines a history of the military and hawks were also secured’. In 2006 Peter researched and police presence in the Blue wrote for the Springwood Historical Mountains between the Nepean and Society Inc.The Thin Red and Blue Cox’s River 1814-2005.

HERITAGE 12 September - October 2010 Frederick Robert D’Arcy colonial surveyor, explorer and artist a biography by Andy Macqueen As the bicentenary of the 1813 Blue Meanwhile, D’Arcy and his long- appropriate location given D’Arcy’s Mountains crossing approaches, suffering wives and children lurched role there—and the mark he made local historian Andy Macqueen has from one disaster to another. when he had a community-splitting produced a biography of a different controversy with Thomas Brown, explorer—probably the first white He was embroiled in disputes and the future ‘Father of Lithgow’. man to fully engage with the rugged scandals in NSW, Port Phillip, Van Colo country, now known as the Diemen’s Land and . The book retails for $45, and can be Wollemi. obtained direct from the author at This might be blamed on a love of [email protected]. A promising young man with an adventure, gambling, drinking and Hardback; 288 pages; 76 pictures impressive military heritage, horses—and on his mentor the and maps (19 in colour). Frederick D’Arcy arrived in Sydney tyrannical Major Mitchell. ISBN 9780646533599. Published in 1828 and embarked on a long by the author. surveying career. He was not alone. Macqueen reveals the challenges faced by the He soon proved his mettle in the ordinary surveyor as he battled the country, now known as bush, recalcitrant convicts and BM HISTORY the Wollemi. According to assistants, and enigmatic superiors. Macqueen, who is a great-great- JOURNAL grandson of D’Arcy, and who has D’Arcy was a prolific artist, though explored the mountains extensively few works survive. One humorously himself, D’Arcy’s expeditions were depicts the famous poet and ONLINE the most rugged of any undertaken steeplechaser Adam Lindsay The inaugural issue of the Blue by any early surveyor or explorer on Gordon on a hunt, probably with Mountains History Journal an mainland Australia. D’Arcy himself. Another is a rare initiative of BMACHO has been portrait of a Port Phillip Aboriginal published online. From 1849 D’Arcy was back in the man. Blue Mountains, employed as clerk In his editorial, Journal editor Dr of court at Hartley, and as a The book was launched on July 27 Peter Rickwood stated: “The first surveyor based at Hartley and by Surveyor General Warwick issue contains four articles but Rylstone. Watkins. only one of the authors is a professional historian so He was also engaged to find a route This was followed by a local launch hopefully indicating the non- across the Wollemi, from Mudgee to by Professor Robert O’Neill at the restrictive intent of this the Hawkesbury. Hartley Courthouse. This was an publication.

“The subjects range from a large block of land to accounts of the lives of two significant individuals and then to an update on the tools and occupational sites of the indigenous people.

“ This eclectic selection embraces the time span of human history from the 20th century to as far back as currently we know c.50,000 years for this part of Australia,” Dr Rickwood stated.

This venture has been assisted by a grant from the Royal Australian Historical Society.

The author of this biography, Andy Macqueen pictured in the ‘bush on The Blue Mountains History the track of his ancestor in the Colo country’. Macqueen of Wentworth Journal may be accessed at Falls is a historian, former TAFE teacher of local history, a renowned http:// bushwalker and conservationist. In 2008 he was was recognised with www.bluemountainsheritage.com.au/ the NSW Government Heritage Volunteer Award for his outstanding html/journal.html contribution to heritage conservation.

HERITAGE 13 September -October 2010 National Trust’s advocacy role Many in the community are unaware that advocacy on heritage issues is a major role of the National Trust of Australia and that local branches of the organisation are continually monitoring heritage sites throughout the nation. In this region Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Hawkesbury and Bathurst districts have branches whose members are involved in this aspect of the Trust’s work. HERITAGE invited David Turner, (pictured) vice chair of Blue Mountains Branch of National Trust Australia (NSW) to comment on this role specifically drawing on examples and results of it’s work. Advocacy has been an inherent part should reflect current times. In the This plan has kept the scale of the of the National Trust organisation recently revised application there shops on the street with a since inception, and that is the was a great improvement in this, so Woolworths and a new underground same, of course, for the branches. we believe a definite success. car park and loading access.

This role, apart from the internal Lawson Community (Memorial) Katoomba Aldi Store This was organisation involved in Hall and shops This has been a one example of advocacy not being management of their heritage long saga from when the RTA successful, being another example buildings and collections with the implemented the Great Western of fake historic appearance, as well associated community contacts, has Highway duplication. Initially the hall as being poorly placed on the site, become the most important external was to be demolished, but with the our objections were ignored. That expression. objections from the local community said, supermarkets are very difficult groups which the Trust’s branch to blend successfully into shopping This article is written by David Don supported, the hall was finally streets, their separate street shops Turner relating to the assessment of saved with the road being provided will probably stay empty. the most important advocacy items repositioned even though the later during the past 10 years. David is portico had to be removed. Branch Katoomba Renaissance Centre currently involved in handling members also supported the The branch was successful in heritage issues for the Blue retention of the existing shops, but supporting the local action group in Mountains Branch, where these are this was not successful as the having the building heritage listed, raised by members, and the branch council had entered into but this has not stopped the is asked by the Blue Mountains City agreements for new shops before deterioration to demolition status. Council to comment on the road was changed. John Leary has also pointed out in development applications for listed a recent public address when he heritage buildings. said, “there is no point in keeping old buildings in a state of Branch members also investigate permanent vacancy and long-term and comment on other notified neglect and decay. Adaptive re-use developments that we know will is an important part of any heritage have effect on heritage areas or system and we must be willing to buildings. Professional advice and consider how best to achieve a support comes from National balance of maintaining heritage Trust’s, Sydney office. Lawson Community Hall values while allowing heritage sites to be a living part of society”. Although advocacy has been a The branch is now supporting the continual involvement, I have council to have the shop frontage Cox’s Road Blue Mountains checked the records for the last 10 on Honour Avenue restored to their Branch members have worked with years to give some idea of the original heritage appearance. the Bathurst and Lithgow branches successes and disappointments in over the last four years to produce a this area. It has to be remembered Leura Mall Originally the Colless submission to the Heritage that these are always dependant on Supermarket in the centre of the Commission to include significant the community views and the actual mall was to be replaced by a portions still remaining of the strength of the local and state laws supermarket with flat units over the original road on the State Heritage that support the resolutions. So retail area which would drastically Register. The submission was working back from recent issues, change the scale with the additional lodged in April this year. the following give a brief resume of height, and car parking problems. the issues and results of the most The branch, again with the local To conclude, advocacy on heritage important items. community protested but to no issues will always continue to be an avail. important part of the Blue Mountains Medlow Bath Hydro-Majestic Branch activities, particularly as Hotel The branch’s comment to However, luck was on our side, as with more than 1100 heritage sites Blue Mountains City Council on the the original developer appeared to identified in the area, being the first application, was that there was have financial problems, so the site largest number of any council in too much diverse pseudo-historic was taken over by another which New South Wales. design in the new work and it resulted in a new plan.

HERITAGE 14 September - October 2010 ‘FACES IN THE LOCAL RESEARCHER STREET’ AT LAUNCHES LATEST LITHGOW As part of History Week 2010, Lithgow City Library will display BOOK IN IRELAND ‘Faces in the Street’ during normal Local historian, author and library opening hours September president of Blue Mountains Family 3 to 30. History Society, Suzanne Voytas was in Ireland last month to launch This exhibition features a her latest book, Elizabeth 1828. collection of portraits of familiar local faces by well known artist The story of the voyage began and local history author John before they left Ireland. While Barnes. confined to the Female Convict Depot, the women became two groups and soon were fighting each These portraits are history in the other, causing extensive damage to making and will be available for the premises. sale by the artist, with half the sale price being donated to the Lithgow For everyone’s safety, the Private Hospital. authorities decided to move one group to the Cork City Gaol. However, within weeks both groups The exhibition will also showcase The only free passengers on board were placed on board their some of the library’s extensive were the Reverend John Vincent, transport, a 527 ton sailing ship. historical photographic collection. his wife, four young daughters and their female servant. HERITAGE ON THE ROCKS On arrival, Reverend Vincent lodged a tirade of complaints Artists and photographers portrayed “the world as it once was, a world regarding the women, the crew, the Sydney’s early slums in vastly without machines, factories or theft of and damage to his personal different lights. clocks, a small intimate world belongings. These complaints were shaped by hand…It was of course a investigated at a Naval Enquiry. In 1902, the art teacher once contrived vision.” During this enquiry the women dubbed one of “the seven greatest were labeled, ‘the worst and most living Australians”, Julian Ashton But if Ashton and his fellow artists turbulent’. persuaded the government to were creating a myth, the official provide a grant of £250 for an photographer must also be treated The book Elizabeth 1828 tells the artistic record of the streets and with suspicion. For the women’s stories and how most of communities around Sydney’s photographer was specifically the women were to prove this so Rocks. commissioned by the government to wrong, as their lives moved in many show the condemned areas in as directions and they adapted to life in After the lethal outbreak of the bleak a light as possible. a strange land. Some lived long bubonic plague in 1900 the NSW enough to know their grandchildren; government had announced plans About 30 of the original paintings a few became wealthy while some to demolish the slums in the Rocks from the 1902 painting now mostly did succumb to unfortunate where disease carrying rats had owned by the Art Gallery of NSW, circumstances and bad habits. carried the plague. the Mitchell Library or the National Library of Australia form the core of The book cost is $35 plus postage Ashton came up with the idea of an Painting The Rocks. $10. exhibition dedicated to ‘Old Sydney’ and 145 paintings were exhibited at They are supplemented by other HERITAGE SITES the Society of Artists’ rooms in Pitt paintings, drawings and Street in March 1902. WORKSHOP photographs that tell the story of the A pilot scheme developed by Rocks between 1900 and 1932. Florence Smart and members of Ashton’s Argyle Street looking Mt Wilson & Mt Irvine Historical towards the Observatory Hill was Painting the Rocks: The Loss of Old Society to record changes to typical of the paintings, 15 of which Sydney is at the Museum of Sydney heritage sites, will be used at a were chosen for government until November 28. workshop to be held in collections. Springwood later this month to Extract reprinted from an article by train members of several Historian Dr Grace Karskens points Steve Meacham in the Sydney historical societies. out the Old Sydney artists showed Morning Herald’s Spectrum

HERITAGE 15 September -October 2010 Black Diamond – Development of the Western Coalfield 1815 to 1900 Following the publication of two histories of collieries located in the Lithgow region Ray Christison has commenced researching a history of the development of the coal and shale mines of the Western Coalfield from 1815 to 1900.

The year 1900 was chosen as a cut-off as this was a watershed year for the region and saw the demise of a number of significant collieries.

The coal reserves of the Western Coalfield have been identified between the in the east and the Goulburn and Talbragar Rivers in the north and west.

In the period covered by Ray’s research the principal areas of Lithgow Valley Colliery c. 1877. Photograph courtesy, The City of coalmining activity were centred Greater Lithgow Mining Museum Inc. around Lithgow/Hartley, Katoomba, Depending on the success of this He is president of the City of /Blackmans Flat, work Ray may in future expand his Greater Lithgow Mining Museum Portland/Cullen Bullen and Kandos/ research to develop a second Inc., an individual member of and Rylstone and Ballimore near volume covering the early 20th former member of BMACHO’s Dubbo. century. management committee.

Small ventures were also Ray Christison is an archaeologist Ray has a particular interest in undertaken in the Grose and and heritage consultant operating a industrial history and archaeology. Burragorang Valleys, and testing for heritage consulting business based and has recently authored two payable coal undertaken as far east in Lithgow. histories of collieries in the Lithgow as Sassafras Gully at Springwood. region. Ray’s intention is to prepare a quality hard cover publication that THE MACQUARIES’ PASSION covers the following areas • A general description of the FOR HORSE RACING coalfield and early exploration. Lachlan and Elizabeth Macquarie of all classes: military, convict, • Histories of each of the were passionate about horses and emancipist and immigrant. collieries operating between they commissioned convict 1838 and 1900. architect, Francis Greenway, to On Monday, October 15, 1810 • Exploration of the design the extravagant stables for crowds gathered on the Sydney relationships between the Government House. Racecourse on new public land, entrepreneurs who developed which the governor named Hyde the collieries of the region This neo-gothic style building would Park. • Discussion of the eventually become the Sydney development of the mining union Conservatorium of Music. The race program lasted three days in the region and the major and D’Arcy Wentworth’s horse, Gig, industrial disputes that occurred Macquarie introduced horse racing ridden by his son, William Charles in the region’s mines up to 1900. to Sydney in what is now Hyde Park Wentworth, won the three-mile race, in 1810. marking the beginning of the The book will also contain vignettes Wentworth’s strong involvement in of many of the early mine owners, With few social activities available the Sydney racing scene. mine managers and union leaders. in Sydney, Macquarie began a new era in Australian popular culture Macquarie letters In a tribute to those killed in this when he approved the at State Library dangerous occupation Ray also establishment of an annual racing The Governor: Lachlan intends to tell the story of each carnival. Macquarie, 1810 to 1821 mining death that occurred up to State Library of NSW Exhibition of He saw the racecourse as a perfect 1900. Macquarie’s letters and more is neutral meeting place for colonists open until October 10.

HERITAGE 16 September - October 2010 WINNERS TEN TUNNELS 100-YEAR Among the winners of the 2010 Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Oberon ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Tourism awards announced last month was Norman Lindsay Gallery which won the award for heritage cultural tourism.

Meantime, the Hawkesbury Regional Museum has taken out the gold award for cultural and heritage tourism in the Greater Sydney Tourism awards.

The award was accepted by museum curator, Diana Robson, who thanked the many people and organisations who have made the museum such a success, including Hawkesbury Historical Society and Arts NSW, as well as the museum’s 54 volunteers.

BMACHO congratulates the One of the ten tunnels under construction. Photograph courtesy Norman Lindsay Gallery & Lithgow City Library. Museum and the Hawkesbury The weekend of October 16 -17, The Old Wallerawang Railway Regional Museum for these well 2010 marks 100 years since the Station will host an exhibition of deserved awards opening of the Ten Tunnel rail local and regional artists, while the deviation, a major feat of rail “coffee@thestation” café will serve Books launch engineering which replaced the Zig delicious food and great coffee. For The Blue Mountains Historical Zag Rail system as the main link further details contact Lithgow Society will launch two books: The between Sydney and Central NSW. Visitor Information Centre telephone Healing Mountains: Tuberculosis in 1300 760 276 or the Blue Mountains, 1882-1959 by A weekend of activities for families www.tourism.lithgow.com the late Gwen Silvey and Shoulders and history buffs has been planned, of Giants: Achievements in History’s including heritage steam train rides War on Tuberculosis by Brian from Lithgow, Katoomba and WELCOME TO Craven. Wallerawang.

The books are to be launched at On Saturday, October 16 a heritage NEW MEMBER History House, Royal Australian diesel locomotive will leave Lithgow BMACHO has a new member -- Historical Society, 133 Macquarie and travel to Tarana for dinner at Everglades Historic House and Street, Sydney, on Wednesday the Tarana Hotel. Gardens at Leura. The former September 22, 5pm for 5.30pm. Friends of Everglades was a RSVP by September 10 to 4757 The main commemoration of the member until its role changed 3824 or [email protected] opening will occur on Sunday and the National Trust property October 17, when the NSW has now become the member. Gwen and Brian describe a period Transport Minister, John Robertson that contributed to the development MLC, will unveil a plaque at Everglades manager, Scott of communities in the Blue . Pollack is always anxious to Mountains: that of the rehabilitation encourage new volunteers to of tuberculosis sufferers in rented Later on that day, Dr Naomi Parry, work at Everglades on a range cottages, private homes and then Lithgow City Council’s cultural of tasks at this heritage sanatoria during the early 1900s. development officer, will talk about property. That enterprise attracted the links between Eskbank House professional and trades people, and and Eskbank Station, while Mark their families who needed homes, Langdon, the author of Conquering schools and shops. the Blue Mountains, will explain the history and construction of the Ten Gwen’s work is a local history, while Tunnels. Brian’s is a broad picture of the medical, social and economic Throughout the weekend Eskbank strands in the history of TB and its House will display photographs of treatments worldwide, which the engineering works and Lithgow contributed to the tapestry of Community Cinema will screen rail change in the mountains. documentaries and movies. Springtime at Everglades

HERITAGE 17 September -October 2010 Naval pension for Cook’s nanny goat If James Cook felt slighted by the Even the only female aboard, the Cook in a hero’s welcome accorded Sir ship’s goat, which survived its later voyage Joseph Banks, he appears to have second circumnavigation enjoyed in Resolution left no record of it when the modest fame. The goat had sailed while visiting Endeavour returned to England with Wallis a British sailor who Tonga after circumnavigating the globe a discovered Tahiti.2 sought to journey of discovery which took Anglicise almost 3 years. Samuel Johnson, (1709 -1784) the arguably one of the most subtropical When the Endeavour dropped distinguished men of letters in landscape anchor on July 13, 1771 and Cook English history is said to have by sowing turnip seeds from prepared to go ashore to report to composed a piece of Latin doggerel England and presenting his hosts his London masters, he, the ship for the animal to wear on its collar. with a veritable menagerie: goats, a and its crew had been away for bull and cow, a boar and sows, a more than 1000 days and sailed The verse translates as “The globe buck and doe and rabbits. forty thousand miles. twice encircled, this the goat, the second of the nurse of Jove, is thus Later, climbing a hill, he mused: “I Cook wrote a one line entry in the rewarded for her never-failing milk”. could not help flattering myself with ship’s log, At 3 oClock in the PM the idea that some future navigator Anchor’ed in the Downs, & soon The goat was aboard ship to may from the very same station after I landed in order to repair to provide fresh milk for Cook and his behold these Medos [sic] stocked London. officers. with Cattle the English have planted on these islands.” It was the well connected botanist, The hardy goat was also given the Joseph Banks who was the toast of privileges of a naval pensioner at 1 Captain Cook’s Endeavour Journal. society. Ever deferential and the Greenwich Hospital and retired www.nla.au/pub/endeavour diplomatic towards his social to a field near London, where she 2 Kerl, Nate Captain James Cook; a life betters, Cook modestly accepted perished a month after Johnson full of adventure triumph and struggle. his own share of laurels. bestowed his poetry on her. www.cptcook.com/cookbio. Compiled by John Leary, OAM BLUE MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS INC. REGISTERED OFFICE 14 Bunnal Ave, Winmalee 2777 MEMBERSHIP The following organisations are members of E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] BMACHO: Blue Mountains City Library, Blue Mountains Website: www.bluemountains.heritage.com Cultural Heritage Centre, Blue Mountains Historical Society Inc, Blue Mountains Family History Society Inc., Blue THE ORGANISATION Blue Mountains Association of Mountains Tourism Limited, Blue Mountains World Heritage Cultural Organisations Inc. (BMACHO) was established Institute, Cudgegong Museums Group Inc, Everglades in April 2006 following a unanimous response to a Historic House & Gardens, Friends of Norman Lindsay proposal from Professor Barrie Reynolds at the 2004 Gallery, Glenbrook & District Historical Society Inc, Kurrajong- Blue Mountains Local History Conference which sought Comleroy Historical Society Inc, Lilianfels Blue Mountains from Blue Mountains City Council the creation of a Resort, Lithgow Mining Museum Inc, Lithgow Regional Library cultural heritage strategy for the city. – Local Studies, Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum Inc, Mid-Mountains Historical Society Inc, Mid Western Regional Council Library, Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens, Mt Victoria and BMACHO in its constitution uses the definition: “Cultural District Historical Society Inc, Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine History heritage is all aspects of life of the peoples of the Blue Society Inc (including Turkish Bath Museum), Mudgee Mountains which was later changed to cover Lithgow and Historical Society Inc, Mudgee Regional Library, National Trust the villages along the Bell’s Line of Roads. It therefore of Australia (NSW) - Blue Mountains Branch (including involves the recording, preserving and interpreting of Woodford Academy), National Trust of Australia (NSW) - information in whatever form: documents, objects, Lithgow Branch, – Blue Mountains Limited, recorded memories as well as buildings and sites.” Springwood & District Historical Society Inc., Springwood Historians Inc, Transport Signal and Communication Museum The objectives of the organisation are: Inc., The Darnell Collection Pty Ltd, Valley Heights i. To raise public consciousness of Locomotive Depot and Museum, Co-op Ltd. the value of cultural heritage. The following are individual members: Ray Christison, ii. To encourage and assist cultural Associate Professor Ian Jack, Joan Kent, John Leary OAM, heritage activities of member organisations. John Low, Ian Milliss, Professor Barrie Reynolds, and Dr Peter iii. To initiate and support cultural Stanbury OAM. heritage activities not already covered by member organisations. COMMITTEE The committee for 2010-11 is: John Leary (president), Ian Jack (vice president), Jan Koperberg One of the aims of BMACHO is to bring the various (secretary), Kathie McMahon-Nolf (treasurer), Jean Arthur, bodies into closer contact, to encourage them to work Joan Kent, Doug Knowles, Dick Morony (public officer), more closely together and to provide a combined voice Barrie Reynolds and Peter Stanbury. on matters of importance within the heritage sector. HONORARY AUDITOR: Sue McMahon, B Comm CPA. HERITAGE is BMACHO’s official newsletter. AFFILIATIONS BMACHO is a member of the Royal Australian Historical Society Inc.

HERITAGE 18 September - October 2010