HERITAGE NEWSLETTER OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS INC. MAY - JUNE 2013 ISSUE No. 27 GOVERNOR CONTINUES HER SUPPORT FOR BLUE MOUNTAINS HERITAGE HER EXCELLENCY, Professor Marie Bashir, AC CVO earlier this month continued her close support of heritage with yet another visit to the Blue Mountains, when she officially launched Hazelbrook historian and author, Ken Goodlet’s latest book Blue Mountains Journey.

Professor Bashir said it was a privilege to have been invited to be the bicentenary patron and praised Blue Mountains Journeys as a “glorious book” and ”a gift to Australia”.

She said she was pleased that Australians were embracing their history. NSW Governor, Professor Marie Bashir congratulating author Ken Goodlet. Photograph: David Hill BMLOT Three years of Crossing events gets underway THREE GRANITE boulders in the which includes Blaxland, Wentworth re-enactment walk by descendants Hartley Valley have been placed in and Lawson’s journey through the of the three explorers along the a new position in symbolic area in 1813. route taken by Blaxland, Wentworth preparation for the bicentenary of and Lawson, to a mass flyover the the first European crossing of the The NSW Governor, Professor region by civilian and military Blue Mountains into Hartley Marie Bashir will “inaugurate the aircraft, fireworks displays and the rocks on June 1, the date when it is presentation of holey dollars to The boulders were taken from the thought the explorers passed close school children. property of Hartley resident Dick to the school’s location. Austen and transported to the Meantime, 200 years to the day on grounds of the Hartley School to Hartley District Progress May 11, 2013, on the site, once the commemorate the valley’s history Association secretary Ramsay property of Gregory Blaxland in St Moodie said the commemorative Mary’s, NSW Governor, Professor rocks also acknowledged the Bashir farewelled descendants and special geology of the valley from other participants on a trek --- one high sandstone escarpments down of the more innovative activities the to its granite base. Blue Mountains Blue Wave - authentic re-enactment. Events big and small, some conceived five or more years ago Professor Bashir said the first and some in recent weeks have recognised European crossing of started to get underway across the the Blue Mountains in 1813 not only region and in other parts of the provided fresh farmlands for the country to commemorate the starving colony and a pathway to bicentenary of the Western future gold, sheep and wheat Crossing. wealth, it represented the enormous string of achievements throughout Local sculptor Henryk Topolnicki The Hartley Valley rocks memorial Australia’s history and the world- overseeing the placement of the is only one of many such events renowned “Aussie” quality of granite boulders. ranging from the magnificent mateship.

HERITAGE 1 May - June 2013 Contents...... An opinion from the editor...... HERITAGE Three years of festivities May - June 2013 and commemorations *P1 Governor continues her have begun with little support for Blue Mountains heritage help from government *P1 Three years of crossing As one of the largest the political advertising under the events gets underway commemoration and celebrations guise of public information in the *P2 Opinion - Three years of ever to occur in this region gets run up to an election for just one of commemorations and under way it is worthy to note that its projects, then the economic festivities have begun with the ideas, planning and gain to this region through tourism little help from government organisation of most of these alone would have been by John Leary, OAM events has been the result of tremendous. *P3 New faces, new ideas for dedicated individuals, community BMACHO management groups assisted by the RAHS.. As it is, it has been the generosity committee of people like Philip Hammon and *P5 Blue Mountain Education Had it not been for the Tom Colless, those associated with and Research Trust a new enthusiasm, dedication and local business houses and other member of BMACHO ingenuity of these people there individuals who have so far funded *P6 1813: The four sumpter would not have been this iconic many of the bicentenary activities horses of Blaxland, Lawson series of events to commemorate while groups like Blue Mountains, and Wentworth by John and celebrate the bicentenary of Oberon and Lithgow Tourism Low OAM the first European crossing of the (BLOT) and Business Supporting *P12 Grant to research Woodford Blue Mountains in 1813 by the the Bicentenary (BSB) have made Academy students who party led by Blaxland, Wentworth there contribution through served in World War 1 and Lawson; the subsequent entrepreneurial skills. It is not too *P13 1813: A tale that grew in the surveying of the route across the late for government to accept the telling by Evans in challenge of a substantial funding *P14 BMACHO support for 1814 which lead to the opening of for events planned from now until Thompson Square National the golden west to allow the 2015. Heritage Listing nations great pastoral wealth to *P15 Scenic World sculpture contribute to the country’s There are many exciting events exhibition stands well in economic stability for most of the which are occurring as part of the heritage rain forest 19th and 20th century; and the commemoration and celebration in *P16 Mt Victoria museum building of the road by William Cox May and June 2013. However, the creates new displays and his party of convicts which prize for sheer guts and *P16 Powerhouse Museum allowed Macquarie to travel inland determination against all odds for a Movable Heritage to a site where he proclaimed brilliantly conceived authentic re- Fellowship 2013 Bathurst as a town in 1815. enactment which has captured the *P16 Museums workshop imagination of large numbers must *P17 Newspaper and genealogy There has so far been a dismal go the John O’Sullivan and his *P19 From underwear to failure of government to contribute small group of volunteers. hardware more than a token amount of *P19 Funds for flagging works at funding to either the overall The NSW government Woodford Academy commemoration or the multitude of bureaucracy should hang its head *P20 A moment in time...a events so far planned for the next in shame for its shambolic remarkable exhibition at three years as celebrations roll attempts to stifle both the Hartley from St Maryd to Bathurst. It participants in the Blue Mountains *P21 Festival to recall appears so far that the Australian Blue Wave re-enactment 21 day bushranger Ben Hall’s 1863 government has contributed very trek and for ensuring that campsite raid on Bathurst little while the NSW government locations were kept secret for fear *P22 Cable clerical index online has done little better and local that too many people might turn *P22 Trust walk on Cox’s Road government despite all its rhetoric out to meet with the participants, *P22 Hazardous to heritage was never expected to come to the some of them descendants of the *P23 Bradman house wins Trust party with loads of money. three explorers. This over award governing of our lives has reached *P23 More accolades for This Opinion hastens to be the height of ridiculousness and HERITAGE grateful for what government has full marks must go to those who *P23 BMACHO will promote contributed but far more funding persevered with the pioneer spirit members events should have been forthcoming for along the pioneer way. *P24 Western crossing 2013-15 this magnificent opportunity to John Leary, OAM - *P25 Beam holds clue to Mayan promote this region. Had President, Blue Mountains calendar government provided funds to say Association of Cultural Heritage 1/10th of the budget expended on Organisations Inc.

HERITAGE 2 May - June 2013 New faces, new ideas for BMACHO management committee NEW FACES often bring fresh ideas “Pamela certainly deserves credit recent years probably would not to an organisation, as will no doubt for many of the things that she and have occurred. be the case with the four new Jan were able to do and which members of BMACHO’s certainly brought credit to the “Jan is well known among members management committee. association. of historical societies and admired for her attention to detail. Following the recent annual general “In particular Pamela’s proactive meeting of BMACHO, Kevin approach to many of the advocacy “Societies often comment Frappell of Glenbrook, Wendy issues on the periphery of our favourably about the up-to-the- Hawkes of Lithgow, Patsy Moppett organisation’s aims and objects was minute information over wide range of Yetholme and Jean Winston of Mt most admirable. of topics, so promptly conveyed by Victoria became members of the e-mails to societies which are committee. “I certainly admired her part in trying members of BMACHO. to save the Springwood civic centre John Leary, OAM has returned to and her support of the Better “In the absence of a treasurer for the presidency following a break Planning Network lobby group. the past year or more, Jan has also due to illness after 5 years as the diligently filled this role and for this I inaugural president “I strongly believe BMACHO should am very grateful,” John Leary said. be involved in advocacy although it Associate Professor Ian Jack may be in a limited fashion. “It goes without saying that any continues for the 8th year as vice historical or heritage group that has president, while Jan Koperberg was “Of course the crowning glory of the the support of Ian Jack is indeed re-elected unopposed as secretary. two years must be the effort Pamela fortunate. Others re-elected unopposed for put into finding speakers for the 2013-14 were Dick Morony, Doug Blue Mountains History Conference. For many years Dr Jack has been, Knowles and Scott Pollock. and remains, an active exponent “Pamela’s work in leading BMACHO and promoter of Australian history Former president, Pamela Smith did will not be forgotten and I do thank and of the heritage of the built not seek re-election as she has her sincerely and hope that through environment. moved from the region. Springwood Historians and Pamela’s Blog, she will continue to “Ian has been described as a Speaking at the annual general be associated with the heritage and consumate scholar, but the free meeting, John Leary complimented history of this region,” Mr Leary advice and the benefit of his vast Pamela on the work she had done said. knowledge is a living legacy. during her two years at the “helm” “Few organisations are so fortunate “Ian was a long-time serving “I personally was most grateful that as BMACHO to have as secretary, president of the RAHA and was Pamela had accepted my invitation Jan Koperberg and without her elected as Fellow of the Royal to be the president when I stepped dedication and pleasing manner Australian Historical Society in down two years ago. many of the achievements over 2003. Continued page 4

Jan Koperberg has been Associate Professor Ian Jack continues for the 8th elected as secretary a John Leary , OAM year as vice president of position she has held returns to lead BMACHO the Blue Mountains since 2010 Jan has also having been the Association of Cultural been acting as treasurer inaugural president from Heritage Orgnisations Inc. for sometime 2006-11.

HERITAGE 3 May - June 2013 New faces join committee “Ian’s dedicated support of husband Tom in the Kanimbla BMACHO has brought much credit Valley and is involved in the 2013 to this organisation. commemoration of the European crossing of the Blue Mountains. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with this pre-eminent Judy Barham is the new president Australian historian as he starts off of Blue Mountains Historical Society on his 8th year as vice president. having been elected at the society’s AGM last month. “The incoming committee is well balanced with people like Dick Judy has known for about 12 Morony, Doug Knowles and Scott months that she would be taking Patsy Moppett Pollock who have worked on the over the reigns and leading the committee for a number of years. society in their role as host society for the RAHS State Conference, to “Dick has been responsible for be held in Katoomba early membership matters while Doug November this year. has been working behind the scenes ensuring meetings and Both Judy and her husband, events are organised. Ken, worked in IT.

“Scott as the association’s The four new members of webmaster has redeveloped this BMACHO’s management committee valuable communication tool and is are, Patsy Moppett, Wendy expected to work closely with Hawkes, Kevin Frappell and Jean newcomer Wendy Hawkes in Winston developing social media for the association in this current year. PATSY MOPPETT Patsy has worked as a town planner “The quiet input into BMACHO’s and heritage officer in local deliberations and the wise counsel Jean Winston government in the central west of groups in regard to the history of of former treasurer, Joan Kent of NSW for some 22 years, her work the road project, undertaken site Kanimbla and that of Judy Barham including management of heritage investigation, and assisted in many neither of whom sought re-election, programs, heritage advisory other research aspects of this will also be missed,” Mr Leary said. service, heritage committee and original western crossing. local heritage funds. She lives at Yetholme She has also worked in private consulting, undertaking planning, JEAN WINSTON heritage and environmental Having been born and brought up in research and reporting. the UK Jean has always been interested in history. Jean says the She has a Bachelor of Town high school which she attended was Planning Degree and a Diploma in the oldest girls’ day school in Conservation and Land England. It was founded in 1844 Management, and has completed and was visited by Charles Dickens. other courses related to heritage, planning law, property planning, the Soon after Jean moved to environment and permaculture. Katoomba in 2001 she joined the Mount Victoria and District Historical Patsy undertakes history and Society and has been a volunteer at Joan Kent (pictured above) holds heritage research and report writing, the museum ever since. an Honours Degree in History from having written the book “A History of Macquarie University and a Masters Cow Flat”. She is currently working Jean has worked as publicity officer Degree in Social Science from the on a history of the Lower Turon for most of that time. Jean says she University of Birmingham as the goldfields, and various family finds the eclectic collection holder of a British Australian history projects. fascinating and enjoys working in Bicentennary Scholarship. the only general historical museum She is convenor of the Cox’s Road in the mountains. She has worked as a professional Project Committee, which was historian and as the research formed to undertake the listing of Mount Victoria Museum was historian to the National Parks & the road on the State Heritage represented in BMACHO by Jean Wildlife Service. Register. Under this committee she Arthur until she was unable to has assisted in the preparation of continue and Jean said she is proud In retirement she operates an reporting for the NSW Heritage to follow in her footsteps. Alpaca breeding stud with her Office, addressed a number of Continued page 5

HERITAGE 4 May - June 2013 Kevin is currently a director of the New faces join committee Catholic Cemetery Board which is responsible for the management of Continued from page 4 opportunity as it allows me to fulfil a number of metropolitan my ambition of helping others WENDY HAWKES cemeteries. access culture and history, either by Having trained as a school teacher, creating it or experiencing it, while Wendy Hawkes in 2000 started These cemeteries include Catholic being surrounded by culture and teaching in primary schools in the cemeteries at Rookwood and Field history myself,” Wendy said. Blue Mountains and Lithgow areas of Mars, Liverpool, Kemps Creek, focusing on special education and North Rocks and Greendale. “Eskbank House and museum, at emotionally disturbed students which I am based part of the time, is before becoming the cultural Kevin has a particular interest in an excellent venue for storing development officer at Lithgow City built history and its preservation for knowledge and history and from Council which includes managing future generations, including the which to share it. Eskbank House and museum. various early rail constructions, buildings, roads, cemeteries etc. “I hope to make Eskbank House and museum a place that the He and his wife Frances have three community calls home and in which children and five grandchildren. it feels a real sense of ownership as well as a place people like to come to visit from outside Lithgow. Blue Mountain

“I look forward to forming links with Education and other community cultural organisations. Research Trust

“There are other exciting cultural a new member projects outside the museum that I will be involved in and I am very of BMACHO much looking forward to sharing in Blue Mountain Education and the exciting cultural future of Research Trust has joined Lithgow,” Wendy said. BMACHO as a new member.

KEVIN FRAPPELL The trust is a small not-for-profit A former councillor who served for 4 organisation located at Lawson. years on Blue Mountains City Council, Kevin Frappell is the vice The objectives of the trust are to president of Glenbrook and District publish and promote research and Wendy Hawkes Historical Society. education on Blue Mountains Wendy says her interest in culture history, archaeology, religious began as a child when she moved A resident of the Blue Mountains for ideas and philosophy. with her family to Papua New 30 years, Kevin spent almost 40 Guinea and spent her childhood years in the NSW public service The chair of the trust is Father and teenage years amongst a dealing with the administration Eugene Stockton, DD, PhD and culture that values art, dance and management of Crown Lands. author, biblical scholar and self music highly. described “local hermit” . He retired in 1999 holding a senior Returning to Australia at the end of position, State Manager - Crown The trust also auspices the Blue high school Wendy completed a Lands. Mountains Aboriginal Archaeology teaching degree. Forum.

Wendy began a Masters of Art One of the better known Administration in 2006 at the publications of the trust has been College of Fine Arts, UNSW and Blue Mountains Dreaming: The realised she wanted to pursue a Aboriginal Heritage which is now career helping others enjoy art as published in its second edition. much as she does, especially in rural areas. This second edition has new chapters written by experts in their When Wendy moved to Lithgow she fields and gathers together the latest added a love of history to her love research and information about the of art as she began exploring the original inhabitants of the Blue area with the local photographic Mountains. It provides a fascinating group. account of histories, languages, legends and European contact and “Beginning my new career as serves as a model for regional cultural development officer at studies elsewhere. Lithgow City Council is a fantastic Kevin Frappell

HERITAGE 5 May - June 2013 1813: THE FOUR SUMPTER HORSES OF BLAXLAND, LAWSON AND WENTWORTH by John Low, OAM

WHEN THE EXPEDITION led by The horse in earlier Blue given me an advantage over all Gregory Blaxland (1778-1853) Mountains exploration: others. When Mr. Barrelier (sic) William Lawson (1774-1850) and returned I perceived his loss for George Caley the want of the like.” William Charles Wentworth (1790- While Francis Barrallier (1773- 1872) left Blaxland’s South Creek (Macqueen 1993, pp. 70-71; 1853) was toying briefly with the Andrews 1984, p. 15) farm on May 11, 1813 in quest of a idea of using horses as part of a passage over the Blue Mountains, supply chain to provision his Again, on November 8, 1802, he their departure was noted quietly in November 1802 expedition continued: a paragraph on page 2 of the (Macqueen 1993, pp. 69-70), the Gazette and New South botanist George Caley (1770-1829), “Mr. Barrelier (sic) set off on Wales Advertiser several days later. son of a Yorkshire horse dealer, was his journey on Thursday last. also giving thought to the role They were 10 or 11 in number, Noting their spirit and horses could play in exploration. and all had guns [and] a cart determination, the writer also made with two bullocks. This party, I special mention of their understand, are likely to go a “prudentially taking with great way if we credit the them four sumpter horses” report; but in my opinion it will (Anonymous 1813). fail, for they cannot go above 2 The Gazette writer’s days’ journey before they must particular comment on the part with the bullocks, and then decision to take packhorses every man must carry his own is interesting. provisions, and he must be a very strong man that can carry As the “grand narrative of 20lb extra of his gun, the Blue Mountains crossing”” ammunition, etc. They talk of (Lavelle 2012, p. 28) making stations in order to developed over the next two have supplies forwarded. Upon hundred years the four a horse I can take 100lb of horses, along with the four food extra of all other articles ‘servants’ and five dogs, for my pursuit. I am not afraid slipped into the background, to travel by having only becoming mere decorative The sumpter horse another person besides appendages to the main story of the myself. By this I have not the “dauntless three”. His correspondence with his encumbrance that will always employer Sir gives be found in a large party.” Little thought and few words have some insight into his thinking. (Macqueen 1993, p. 71) been given to them. Writing to Banks on November 1, Caley’s observations proved Was the decision to take the horses 1802, a month or so after Barrallier accurate for, having established his in fact a prudent one, introducing, had made a reconnaissance first depot at Nattai, Barrallier’s as explorer/historian Ernest Favenc journey using two horses, Caley planned supply line of depots failed argued in 1888, a new era of made the following remarks: to materialise and he and his men exploration in which horses would returned “footsore and short of play a significant part or is “[Barrallier] is upon the eve of provisions” (Richards 1979, p. 20) bushwalker/historian Ross setting off again with a larger on December 2. Brownscombe (2004, p. 223), party, and instead of horses he writing over a century later, correct takes out two bullocks. ... I am Subsequent letters to Banks in concluding that the decision to so vain as to think that with suggest Caley may have made a take them was a bad, even stupid, another man besides myself, number of Blue Mountains one with the horses proving more of and a horse, that I can go excursions using a horse, though a hindrance than a help? further than what this party will, only one appears to have been provided the weather is documented. The four sumpter horses deserve favourable. I have often reflection and offer an interesting lamented that being bred a Lasting nine days, it occurred in angle from which to approach the horseman had been all lost February 1804 when he crossed the 1813 expedition. labour in forwarding a pursuit in upper Nepean River and journeyed natural history, but at length I some distance into the mountains am undeceived, for as a with one companion and a mare traveller in this country it has laden with provisions (Andrews 1984, p. 15).

HERITAGE 6 May - June 2013 Did Caley meet with Blaxland as early as 1810 to discuss Blue Mountains venture? Continued from page 6 This was not, however, “the grand mountain journey” (Andrews 1984, p. 15) he was dreaming of and about which he had written to Banks almost a year earlier, on May 13, 1803, telling him that “next spring I mean to visit the ruggedest part of the Blue Mountains” and adding that “this will be a tract impassable for to take a horse”.

His opinion on the horse’s place in his own plans had clearly changed and the February 1804 expedition (and any others he may have made) did not persuade him otherwise for on August 18, 1804 he informed Banks: “In the course of a month I think of going a journey into the mountains for about a fortnight ... I have already travelled the ground that can be done with a horse.” The 1813 Expedition depicted in the Sydney Mail Christmas (Andrews 1984, p. 16) Supplement, December 25, 1880 (State Library of NSW). rough one. I was out three weeks and discussed Blue Mountains And again on November 1, 1804: which was as long as I was able to exploration prior to his departure for “Upon the eve of going a journey ... abide for the want of provisions. England in May 1810? (Richards Having tried every part to the The roughness of the country I 1979, pp. 38-39) Sir Joseph Banks, westward for to penetrate into the found beyond description. I cannot after all, was a mutual friend interior with a horse but always give you a more expressive idea (Blaxland, in fact, sent Banks a having been prevented by very than travelling over the tops of the copy of his Blue Mountains journal barren rocky ground I have now houses in a town.” (Andrews 1984, in 1816). fitted myself out as well as the p. 24) colony will afford for such a Blaxland also mentioned Caley by journey.” (Andrews 1984, p. 17) Such conditions certainly seemed to name in correspondence with confirm the unpracticality of a Commissioner JT Bigge in 1819, A day or two later Caley set out with horse. though including him with others three companions and a dog, who had believed that a Blue equipped for about 20 days. In his But could Caley have later changed Mountains crossing was impossible journal he listed in some detail his his mind again? (Richards 1979, p. 175). provisions: biscuits, flour, rice, portable soup, pork, sugar, tea, “two Though his expedition got bogged While this might suggest that if fusees (small muskets] and a brace down in the Devil’s Wilderness and indeed he had met with Caley their of large pistols”, 20lb of failed to re-find the ridge that would discussion was unfruitful, it should ammunition, cooking utensils, have seen them into the Hartley be remembered that by 1819 compass, brush clearing Valley, Caley did report from the top Blaxland was nursing a grudge implements etc. of Mount Banks that “to the against Macquarie. eastward very high land is seen” The total weight to be divided (Andrews 1984, p. 79) and found He was feeling badly treated and between Caley and his companions cause to reflect upon the ignored and was playing up his must have been at least 250lb and possibilities such high land might achievements to Bigge, a ready this was unlikely to have lightened offer for easier travelling (Andrews listener to complaints against the as the expedition progressed 1984, p. 81; Cunningham 1996, governor. because “as the food diminished p. 118). the natural history collections took It has also been suggested that its place”. (Andrews 1984, pp. 101- Could he have thought more on this Caley met with William Lawson 102) and not only seen the potential of while the latter was in London the ridges but also renewed his faith between 1810 and 1812 ostensibly When he returned, his comments to in the value of the horse? to act as a witness at the court Banks (December 16, 1804) on the martial of his superior officer, conditions he encountered were Though there is no evidence to Lieutenant Colonel George blunt: “My journey to the substantiate it, is it possible that Johnston. Carmarthen Mountains was a very Caley met with Gregory Blaxland Continued page 8

HERITAGE 7 May - June 2013 Continued page 7 The anonymous writer ‘X.Y.Z’, probably the tobacco merchant Thomas Horton James (Havard 1953), believed this and wrote in March 1827, in an article for Wentworth’s The Australian, that: “no sooner [had Lawson] arrived from London where he had met Mr Caley, and frequently discussed the practicability of a mountain pass, than he determined to set out on the expedition to find a passage over the Blue Mountains”. (Jervis 1954, pp. 74-75)

While there is no record of Lawson ever confirming James’ statement, A moment during the 1951 re-enactment of the 1813 crossing (Blue nor did he deny it. Mountains City Library). Warragomby and the River Grose” other necessaries” (Blaxland 1823, Despite the lack of direct evidence, (Blaxland 1823, p. 65). p. 67). it is still interesting to speculate that, if such meetings did take This latter expedition was It has been suggested by Ross place, issues such as ridges and undertaken in the company of “three Brownscombe (one of the few packhorses may well have been European servants and two natives, historians to give the subject more discussed. with a horse to carry provisions and than a passing thought) that the other necessaries” (Blaxland 1823, decision to employ horses in 1813 For Caley’s part, it is clear that he p. 65). was a bad one, made simply on the never lost his interest in the Blue basis of class, that this was “a Mountains, as can be seen from a Blaxland was clearly aware that the ‘gentleman’s excursion’ and unlike letter he wrote to his friend George length of time an expedition could their predecessors, the ‘dauntless Suttor on August 10, 1812: “Oh! stay out depended on the provisions three’ had no intention of carrying Botany Bay! I wish I could forget it was able to take and that, if on their own provisions.” you! But this will never be the case foot, a leader had to balance what (Brownscombe 2004, p. 223) as long as your mountains haunt each man could carry against his me.” (Webb 2009, p. 80) ability to still manage the hard graft This seems to me, however, too of walking and clearing a path. cynical and shallow a judgement, The decision to take down-playing the seriousness of their intent and ignoring their horses in 1813 “Four horses obvious willingness to embrace By 1813 Gregory Blaxland, his hard physical labour. pastoral concerns under pressure laden with from the deteriorating conditions on Colonial gentry and driven by the coastal plain, had clearly been provisions, economic self-interest, certainly, thinking for some time on the they were nevertheless, as possibilities of expansion and had ammunition and Lawson’s journal in particular made several earlier trips into the makes clear (Lawson 1813), mountains. other prepared to share the heavy work of exploring and cutting a path with The first began as a picnic their ‘servants’. excursion by boat up the Nepean necessaries” River with Governor and Mrs The horses seem to have been a This was certainly a problem that Macquarie in November 1810, deliberate strategy to save all five had plagued earlier expeditions and during which they ventured into the members of the expedition from the his use of a horse in his 1810 gorge of the Warragamba and extra burden of carrying their arms excursion shows that he was giving would almost certainly have and supplies. discussed the possibilities of a practical thought to the matter. crossing. Brownscombe states further that the Though discouraging him, decision to take horses was “not mistakenly perhaps, from the use of Blaxland was clearly enthused and very smart because most of the Aboriginal guides (he felt their made a quick return journey a few difficulties the party encountered, geographical knowledge was too days later and soon followed this up particularly the hand cutting of the limited; (Blaxland 1823, p. 65), he with a further more rigorous track ... , were the result of the seems to have been satisfied with exploration that strengthened his horses’ inability to make their way the role of the horse and when the conviction “that it was practicable to unaided through the thick bush” main expedition left his farm at find a passage over the mountains (Brownscombe 2004, p. 223). South Creek on May 11, 1813 it was ... by the ridge which appeared to Continued page 9 run westward, between the equipped with “four horses laden with provisions, ammunition, and

HERITAGE 8 May - June 2013 They proved it possible to get animals over the mountains and open the way to the west Continued from page 8 The importation While the explorers, as we shall of large numbers see, did encounter difficulties with of Spanish Jennet the horses this judgement again mares during the seems too hasty and misses what I 1790s and the think was another important reason fact that Arab for taking the horses, other than as stallions beasts of burden. dominated breeding up to The explorers’ journals make it clear the 1820s meant that, unlike Caley, they were not that the colony’s primarily interested in “going farther horse population than any person has yet been” by 1813 was (Andrews 1984, pp. 17-18) but, primarily rather, in finding a practical route composed of across the mountains along which Arab and Arab- both men and livestock could travel. cross horses.

By taking the horses they were Such strong Arab proving that it was possible to get bloodlines, animals over the mountains and, to combined with this end, the labour invested in the freedom of cutting a path was a necessary open pasture imposition. lands, began to produce a local Towards the end of his account, horse of hardy while admitting that they had not character, strong completely crossed the mountains, and with good this was clearly what Wentworth wind and The 1813 Expedition as depicted in the Illustrated was saying when he wrote (using increasingly Australian News, , 1891 (State Library of ‘cattle’ in its older and broader suited to the local Victoria). sense): “we have at all events environment officers and wealthy free settlers. proved that they are traversable and (Kennedy 1992, pp. 12, 80, 84). that too, by cattle – a circumstance Horses were expensive and the which ... has been hitherto deemed Even Commissioner JT Bigge, preserve of ‘gentlemen’. impossible”. (Wentworth 1813, p. loaned a saddle horse by John Their number had increased to 114) Macarthur during his time in NSW almost 1000 by 1808 and by 1815 1819 -1821, was impressed with the numbered close to 2,500. (Kennedy The horse in Australia quality, endurance and speed of the 1992, pp. 13-14). 1788-1813 colonial bred horses (Kennedy 1992, p. 85). When the First Fleet arrived in early The first officially sanctioned race 1788 nine horses, purchased from meeting was held at Hyde Park in The success of early horse the Dutch colony at the Cape of October 1810 (at which Wentworth breeders such as John Macarthur, Good Hope and primarily of Spanish Jnr rode one of his father’s horses D’Arcy Wentworth and Samuel origin, were landed: one stallion, to victory) and by the time Marsden was founded on Jennet three mares and three ‘colts’ (1 Blaxland’s party set out for the mares and Arab stallions (Kennedy male, 2 female) plus a further mountains horse breeding was a 1992, p. 83). stallion and mare bought privately minor (compared to cattle and by two of the marine officers sheep) but established part of (Binney 2005, p. xvi). Because the business practices of these ‘privateers’ were not always pastoral activity on the Cumberland Plain. Though a government stud was strictly legal and they sometimes operated without official approval it soon established, the authorities All three of the explorers owned is difficult to track exact numbers of showed little interest in horse horses and large pastoral horses in the colony. breeding in the early years and the properties. better quality Arab, Thoroughbred Illegal imports did not always and Jennet horses that followed Blaxland had ‘’ and ‘Lee appear in official census figures were imported largely through the Home’ at Eastwood and South (Binney 2005, pp. xvii-xviii). commercial enterprise of the Creek respectively, Lawson officers of the NSW Corps and By the early years of the 19th ‘Veteran Hall’ at Prospect, and various wealthy free settlers Wentworth ‘Vermont’ on the Nepean (‘exclusives’). century, however, there were probably something like 300 horses River. in the colony, most owned by Continued page 10

HERITAGE 9 May - June 2013 The four sumpter horses were likely locally bred Continued from page 9 supply of biscuit, rice, sugar and tea trench to prevent the horses from On his first small property acquired and perhaps even the portable soup slipping, but even so “the descent at Concord in 1807, Lawson had which Caley valued greatly. was so steep, that the horses could kept six horses and his interest but just keep their footing without a continued when he established With seven men, the weight of load, so that, for some way, the Veteran Hall. these provisions would have been party were obliged to carry the considerably greater than Caley’s. packages themselves.” (Blaxland Following his retirement from the 1823, p. 74). military in 1824 he became a Five dogs and four horses, of significant player on the Australian course, also had to be fed and while On the return ascent of equine scene, importing a number the odd bird or wallaby might have (June 2) they again had to carry the of stallions and breeding and racing helped feed the dogs, as we shall horses’ loads for part of the way numerous horses. (Binney 2005, see the natural fodder available for and later, towards the end of the pp. 35-38) the horses proved inadequate and return journey (June 4), “one of had to be cut where available and them fell this day with its load quite His horses were also prized by the added to their load. exhausted and was with difficulty emerging coaching services. got on after putting its load on the The horses were not burdened, other horses” (Blaxland 1813, p. In an 1826 memorial written to Earl though, with a growing collection of 11). Bathurst of the Colonial Department natural history specimens! he claimed to own 70 horses (along On only one occasion did they with 9,000 sheep and 1500 head of There is no doubt that the loaded actually lose a horse. It got away in cattle) (Magann nd., p. 68) horses experienced problems with the night (May 16) and fortunately the mountain terrain and sometimes they found it again the next morning The four sumpter horses chosen in stumbled and fell. (May 13, 19, “about a mile and a half back” 1813 were most probably locally June 4) They “travelled very (Blaxland 1813, p. 4). bred, selected with an eye for awkwardly”, wrote Blaxland, “being fitness and stamina and, in light of much incommoded by the small The most serious and regular the above, primarily of Arab trees and brush at places and the problem was lack of feed and water. descent. ridge they followed being very crooked and intricate between the Good grass was generally difficult to They were the precursors of a great gullies” (Blaxland 1813, p. 3). procure on the mountains, reported equine heritage, for the pasture Blaxland, the horses surviving on lands to which they helped open a The ground too, often with sharp, “coarse swamp grass or rush [as] passage would become, with jutting rocks and loose stones that nothing else could be got for them.” increased Thoroughbred imports, a made ascents and descents (Blaxland 1813, p. 5). nursery for that hardy Australian especially difficult, severely tested stock horse, the Waler, a horse that the horses. “It was”, confirmed Wentworth, “the later found its place in both the scanty fare which these swamps ‘bush’ (‘Man from Snowy River’) and The general method of proceeding afford that enabled our horses to ‘ANZAC’ (Australian Light Horse) was to cut a path through the bush exist.” (Wentworth 1813, p. 112) legends. (Yarwood 1989, p. 17) and then bring the loaded horses forward. Where grass and rush was The performance of the available it had to be cut and loaded horses during the A camp would be established and a on the horses for later use. couple of men left to look after the expedition horses and provisions while the Occasionally only enough water Though a detailed list of the others cut and cleared a path could be found for the men and the expedition’s provisions is not forward through the often thick horses went without. available, a list of sorts can be brush, returning to camp at the end made by using the journals of the day. Perhaps the decision, unlike the themselves and the list of Caley’s majority of earlier expeditions, to go provisions mentioned earlier. The daily distances achieved often out in the cooler months was made varied considerably and sometimes, not only with the men in mind, for In this way some idea can be when the going was especially there is little doubt that the horses formed of what the horses were difficult, they camped in the one would have fared very badly in the required to carry. spot for a couple of days and were hot, dry months (Brownscombe forced to re-walk the same section 2004, p. 223). The expedition took seven muskets of cleared track several times. It plus ammunition, tents, brush was tedious and exhausting work. By the time they got the horses clearing implements (hooks, hoes down Mount York “they were getting etc.), compasses and cooking Several times they were forced to into miserable condition” (Blaxland utensils. redistribute the horses’ loads. 1813, p. 9). Continued page 11 Their food included salt meat and Descending Mount York (May 29) flour and probably, like Caley, also a they used a hoe to cut a small

HERITAGE 10 May - June 2013 It seems to me that the inclusion of John Oxley in his exploration of the A wise sumpter horses to carry the Lachlan River in 1817 took 13 provisions and equipment was a horses, while explorers like Parr, innovation or carefully planned one made in Howe and Gregory Blaxland’s conjunction with the strategy of nephew John who later (1817-1824) silly mistake? tracking along the ridge and that explored the Northern Blue their presence was also important in Mountains also made use of horses. Continued from page 10 demonstrating the practicality of (Macqueen 2004) Soon, however, they passed into moving livestock along the route the “open meadow land clear of trees, expedition travelled. When Melbourne folk were covered with grass two and three confronted with the extraordinary feet high” and “encamped on the The horses certainly experienced sight of Burke & Wills leaving that bank of fine stream of water to rest difficulties but they did cope and, city in 1860 with 28 horses and 24 themselves and to refresh their despite all the problems, all four camels; horses (and other baggage horses” (Blaxland 1813, p. 10). returned safely, proving the quality animals) were well and truly taking of locally bred horses and their “their share of sacrificing their lives Feed for horses continued to be a ability to survive in inhospitable in the cause” (Favenc 1888, Ch. 2). problem even after the road was terrain. built and had to be carried, until The text of this article formed the inns offering baiting facilities began As suggested by Favenc, this was research for an address by John to appear in the 1820s and 1830s. the horse’s first real test in inland Low OAM to the Mt Wilson and Mt exploration and did in a sense begin Irvine Historical Society Inc on It is interesting that many of the what he termed “a new phase of November 10, 2012 and was later feed and water locations identified exploration” (Favenc 1888, Ch. 2). published for that society as in 1813 eventually became regular Historical Paper No.13. stopping places for stock, then as , sent out by locations for inns and eventually Governor Macquarie to confirm and REFERENCES towns. survey the newly discovered route Andrews, Alan E. J. ed. (1984) The later that year, saw no reason not to Devil’s Wilderness: George Caley’s Springwood, Lawson (‘Christmas follow Blaxland’s example and also Journey to Mount Banks 1804, Swamp’) and Wentworth Falls, for included horses in his party. Hobart: Blubber Head Press example, can trace their stories in this way. After the road was built, Bathurst Anonymous (1813) ‘Sydney’, established and exploration Sydney Gazette and New South Conclusion extended further inland, horses Wales Advertiser, 22 May, p. 2, col. So, back to the question posed at became a common component of 1 the beginning – a wise innovation or exploratory expeditions. Continued page 12 a silly mistake? The author ... John Low, OAM Long term former president ofthe John was RAHS and vice president of employed by the BMACHO, Associate Professor Blue Mountains Ian Jack in a tribute to John when City Library as a it was announced that John had local history been honoured with the Order of librarian in March Australia Medal probably more 1982 on a 6 than most succinctly summed up month contract to the man, when he wrote:. establish a local history collection. “All students of heritage and history in the Blue Mountains are Following an much in the debt of John Low. extension of this contract, he was “By developing a local studies appointed on a centre of excellence at permanent basis Springwood Library, John has in September been an essential force in 1983 and retired broadening public awareness of in August 2007. the diversity of surviving evidence. Wild Ephemera a collection of some and journals and has published a “John’s amiability, unflappability his poems is indicative of his ability number of books. and determination, combined with and skill as an unbiased observer of his own effortless mastery of so the natural and human history of the John is a much sought after and many unfamiliar corners of Blue Mountains. accomplished public speaker. Mountains history, have given him a very special place in the John is a regular contributor to He is an individual member of affections of all right-minded HERITAGE and other newsletters BMACHO and served a term on its scholars,” wrote Dr Jack. management committee.

HERITAGE 11 May - June 2013 1813: The four sumpter horses of Grant to Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson research Continued from page 11 Kennedy, Malcolm J (1992) Hauling Woodford Binney, Keith R. (2005) Horsemen the Loads: a ’s of the First Frontier (1788-1900) Working Horses and Bullocks, Academy and The Serpent’s Legacy, Neutral Melbourne: Melbourne University Bay NSW: Volcanic Productions Press students who Blaxland, Gregory (1813) A Journal Lavelle, Siobhan (2012) “‘Patriotic served in of a Tour of Discovery Across the and powerful historians’: Blue Mountains, , commemorating the first crossing of World War 1 in the Year 1813. Ms copy of the Blue Mountains”, Journal of the Fifteen graduates from Woodford original journal included with Royal Australian Historical Society, Academy who enlisted in the documents sent by Blaxland to Vol. 98, Part 1, June, pp. 28-50 First AIF during the First World Commissioner JT Bigge in War will be the subject of further November 1819, reproduced in Lawson, William (1813) The Journal research. Mackaness 1965, pp. 1-16 of William Lawson, Lieutenant, Royal Veteran Company, A grant of $2859 from the NSW Blaxland, Gregory (1823) A Journal reproduced in Richards 1979, pp. Office of Communities (Veterans of a Tour of Discovery across the 99-105 Affairs) will be used to assist this Blue Mountains in New South research. Wales, London: Holdsworth, Mackaness, George ed. (1965) Fourteen Journeys Over the Blue reproduced in Richards 1979, pp. They served in a variety of Mountains of New South Wales 63-79 capacities. Two were killed in 1813-1841, Sydney: Horwitz- action and one was awarded the Grahame Brownscombe, Ross ed. (2004) On Military Medal. Suspect Terrain: Journals of Macqueen, Andy (1993) Blue Exploration in the Blue Mountains They can now be seen as a mini- Mountains to Bridgetown: the life 1795-1820, [Brighton East, Vic.]: study of the time and experience and journeys of Barrallier 1773- Forever Wild Press of men who served in that war. 1853, Springwood NSW: Author Cunningham, Chris (1996) Blue There is a large collection of Macqueen, Andy (2004) Somewhat Mountains Rediscovered: Beyond unprocessed resources and Perilous: the journeys of Singleton, the Myths of Early Australian records that contains information Parr, Howe, Myles & Blaxland in the Exploration, Kenthurst NSW: about these men and their Northern Blue Mountains, Kangaroo Press school experiences. Wentworth Falls NSW: Author Favenc, Ernest (1888) The History This includes photographs, Magann, Hazel (n. d.) Ironbark and of Australian Exploration 1788- school records, fees paid family His Branches, [Lethbridge Park 1888, Sydney: Turner & Henderson, contacts and the like. Chapter 2 accessed at: http:// NSW]: Author gutenberg.net.au/ausexplore/ It is proposed to research these Richards, Joanna . ed. (1979) ausexpl00-index.html boys and the period 1910 -1918 Blaxland-Lawson-Wentworth 1813, and to add their military records Hobart: Blubber Head Press Havard, W. L. (1953) “Who Was to create a teaching and learning ‘X.Y.Z.’ of ‘A Ride to Bathurst, experience for schools in the Tink, Andrew (2009) William 1827’?”, Royal Australian Historical area and the wider community. Society Journal and Proceedings, Charles Wentworth: Australia’s greatest native son, Crows Nest Vol. XXXIX, Part V, pp. 275-277 The information will be of NSW: Allen & Unwin particular interest to a study of Jervis, James (1954) “William the social history surrounding the Webb, Joan (2009) A Birdstuffer’s Lawson, Explorer and Pioneer”, men and the motivations that Library: a 19th century naturalist’s Royal Australian Historical Society caused them to join. Journal and Proceedings, Vol. XI, library, North Ryde NSW: Author Part II, pp. 65-93 The untapped material will also Wentworth, William Charles (1813) be valuable to university The Journal of William Charles The ubiquitous plaque undergraduates and research Wentworth, reproduced in Richards Blue Mountains City Council will students 1979, pp. 109-114) conduct the invitation only ‘Mount York Civic Event’ as part of the A number of years ago, Mrs Yarwood, AT (1989) Walers: Blue Mountains Crossings Neryl Medcalf carried out an Australian Horses Abroad, bicentenary celebrations on May extensive study of the men and Melbourne: Melbourne University 28. this formed the basis for an Press A commemorative plaque will be interesting standing display at unveiled. Woodford Academy.

HERITAGE 12 May - June 2013 1813: A tale that grew in the telling 1813 has been long celebrated as the year that three intrepid European explorers – Gregory Blaxland, William Charles Wentworth and William Lawson – successfully penetrated the sandstone prison walls around the prison colony at Sydney.

The First Crossing of the Blue Mountains is thus a key historic story of early Australian exploration, as it was the first significant land- based expedition into the continent’s interior.

Over 200 years the Blue Mountains have been heavily inscribed figuratively and materially by European travellers, settlers, and their descendants.

First perceived as a barrier to westward progress the mountains were reviled for their ‘wildness’ in early accounts, but once they had been travelled over, the ‘fair prospect’ they provided gained them more positive descriptions.

Eventually the mountains became a health and recreation resort in their own right. Siobhan Lavelle, OAM, MA, PhD with her latest book 1813: A tale that grew in the telling. The language of bodily health and happenings, and with later Chapter 3 examines the enjoyment associated with tourism commemorations and celebrations. commemorative celebrations and continues to this day. ceremonies. Chapters 4 to 8 deal The region contains about a dozen Parallel with the figurative with specific sites, their histories sites associated with the First inscriptions upon the landscape and their roles within the overall Crossing, ranging from simple came the material ones. ideological construct and monuments such as rock cairns, to requirements of the narrative of the Trees were marked, cairns built, more complex sites thickly ‘First Crossing’. roads made and later memorials populated with elaborate landmark were erected. structures and explanatory plaques. The 1813 book argues that the details of memorialisation and twists The author explains that the sites Dr Lavelle’s book, 1813: A tale that in the overall narrative of the First were erected by local people to grew in the telling does not deal in Crossing are inextricably tied to claim their part in the historic detail with the events of the 1813 significant changes in the settler narratives about European Crossing. ideology and to historical exploration, discovery, possession explanations about Australia’s Instead it examines the of the country, national progress origins and key events. commemoration of the First and expansion, with explorers as Crossing through poetry, literature, central heroes – the agents of The sites are discussed in and visual images as well as empire and transformation. chronological order based upon commemorative ceremonies, when they were first identified or monuments and plaques. Thus an historical narrative may be memorialised. written both about the landscape Five chapters are devoted to sites and also in the landscape or place, Sites discussed in detail include: and monuments regarded as icons, by the people who live or lived the Explorers’ Marked Tree each of which marks a focal point or there. (Chapter 4), Mount York (Chapter key event in the story of the 5), Caley’s Repulse (Chapter 6), a crossing. Chapters 1 and 2 examine the series of smaller monuments or genesis, evolution and re-casting of sites (Chapter 7), and Mount The sites were associated with the master narrative during the 19th Blaxland (Chapter 8). ‘original’ events or reputed and 20th centuries. Continued page 14

HERITAGE 13 May - June 2013 BMACHO support 1813: A tale that grew in for the telling Thompson Square Continued from page 13 National Heritage These sites were valued as the product of a dominant narrative that Listing remains remarkable for its longevity. Nomination of Thompson Square, Windsor for National Heritage listing The first site was memorialised in has been supported by BMACHO 1884; the last new monument was with a submission made to the added to a site in 1988. Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Some renewal of structures has Communities, Tony Burke, MP occurred recently and new monuments, additions and Thompson Square, Windsor, the refurbishment of some existing sites oldest town square in Australia, is will happen in 2013. under threat from the present plans of Roads and Maritime Services, to It is argued that the importance of replace the existing historic the sites examined in this study lies Windsor Bridge with a high level not in issues about authenticity or road and bridge, which will cut a otherwise but in the way they have swathe through Thompson Square, been used in different historic isolating some of the colonial contexts and eras. buildings on the northern side from House by by Associate Professor the rest of the square. With the 1813 First Crossing Grace Karskens and in the Blue bicentenary occurring in May 2013, Mountains at the Cultural Centre, A new bridge is planned and this this account of earlier Katoomba, by Wendy Blaxland on would encroach on Thompson commemorative efforts has special May 3, 2013. Square and the remaining historic interest. buildings. It is available in Blue Mountains Dr Lavelle’s book was launched in independent book shops with a rrp The current bridge can be repaired Sydney on April 18, 2013 at History of $35 for a lot less than the cost of a new bridge and these repairs would last About the author - for at least another 20 years. There Siobhan Lavelle, OAM, MA, PhD is an alternate route that could be taken for a new bridge over the Siobhan Lavelle has worked in Siobhan completed a history PhD Hawkesbury River. archaeology and heritage since on the First Crossing of the Blue 1985. Mountains in 2004. Thompson Square, Windsor, has the highest significance and value She commenced her career at the In 2008 she received a National in the course of Australia’s cultural NSW National Trust, then Trust Commendation (Bronze history, as the first developed established a private consultancy in Medal). example of this country’s town 1989 providing advice and planning. assistance to the private sector, In 2009 she received an OAM government and community groups. for service to historical archaeology It is within the planned structure of and heritage conservation, Macquarie’s largest and first From 1994 to 2003 she was the particularly the preservation of developed rural town, yet still visibly consultant archaeologist for the colonial roads and cemeteries. within the context of its 1794 Heritage Council endorsed “Convict farming roots. Trail Project” with much work Siobhan re-joined the public sector undertaken on an honorary basis. full time in 2005 and works as a Thompson Square retains its civic senior heritage officer for the structure and the form it evolved Between 1990 and 2004 Siobhan Heritage Council of NSW. between 1795 and 1800. The won several heritage awards, both Square remains still legible, useful state and national. and esteemed in 2013, after 218 years. A BASTILLE DAY LUNCHEON will be held at Everglades Historic House and Garden, Leura on July 14. A delicious French flavoured luncheon will be served in the stunning art deco tearooms. Bookings essential to 4784 1938 or [email protected]

HERITAGE 14 May - June 2013 Scenic World sculpture exhibition stands well in heritage rain forest Blue Mountains artist, Daniel Kojta, • Nigel Harrison’s Bypass – For more information about Daniel has been awarded the $20,000 “an enigmatic work that references Kojta, visit Scenic World acquisitive prize for and challenges the rainforest www.onaircontemporary.com For his highly polished stainless steel through its evocation of ‘energy’ interviews, images or media famils, sculpture, Reflect Phi [a momen]. both literally and figuratively; and contact Australia PR director, Michelle Grima, on 0416 114 911 or • Ireland’s Darragh email [email protected]. For Kojta’s work is one of 35 artworks O’Callaghan’s “copper pipe more information about the event from as far as America and Ireland, configuration, Serosa that and packages, visit on exhibition for selection along the resonates wonderfully with the www.scenicworld.com.au/sculpture rainforest floor at Scenic World. calligraphic qualities of the Scenic World is an inugural rainforest.” member of BMACHO The award was presented by Scenic World’s joint managing directors, Exhibition manager, Lizzy Marshall, Anthea and David Hammon, on said Sculpture at Scenic World had behalf of the Hammon Family again pushed the boundaries of Council, during the official exhibition onsite responsive art. opening last month “All of our exhibiting artists have The winning artwork consists of magnificently created within the three independent but related context of an environment that is sculptures translated through the adherent to the complexities of mathematical Phi formula of sculpture and its mass, tension, Australian natives. formalist ideals and narrative objectives,” she said. Kojta said: “it was an incredible opportunity to receive the award at Australia’s only dedicated rainforest an exhibition that is growing and sculpture exhibition includes the supporting professional indoor Sculpture Otherwise contemporary arts in the Blue exhibition, and public programs Mountains”. featuring guided and independent Daniel Kojta’s highly polished tours, free evening lectures, and stainless steel sculpture, Reflect Judges for the 2013 exhibition were: family and children’s activities. artist and Environmental Research Phi [a momen]. Initiative for Art (COFA) Director Allan Giddy, Dinosaur Designs Sculpture at Scenic Creative Director, Louise Olsen, World 2013, offered and Associate Professor in Art a $20,000 History and Theory at the College of acquisitive award, Fine Arts (COFA), Dr Alan Krell. the new $5000 artist peer award, a The judges said the winning $2000 Scenic sculpture was a unique response to World staff choice site that reflected both a modernist award and The and contemporary aesthetic Carrington Hotel’s sensibility. $1000 people’s choice award. “What appealed to us about Kojta’s work was its beguiling ability to Scenic World has reflect subtly the immediate also released a environment and successfully series of special create a dialogue between the overnight exhibition geometric and the organic,” they packages, starting said at $207.50 for couples and $299 Highly commended sculptures are; for families, at a collection of iconic • Last year’s winner from Blue Mountains Wollongong, Greer Taylor’s resting hotels and resorts. place – “a delicately knitted wire structure that belies its materiality Sculpture at Scenic David and Anthea Hammon standing with sculptor and seemingly floats in the World closed on Daniel Kojta winner of the $20,000 Scenic World rainforest”; May 19, 2013. sculpture award . Photograph: Cindy Waldron.

HERITAGE 15 May - June 2013 Mt Victoria museum creates new displays MOUNT VICTORIA and District Historical Society is working hard to present new displays at the museum for the Crossings commemoration on May 25 and 26.

One room will be devoted to aspects of the crossing from the time of explorers to Evans, Cox and the Macquaries.

Dramatic images will be in place and tools of trade on display from cross cut saws and a boot-maker’s last to the historic circumferenter, an early surveying instrument.

Another new display is of artifacts from the Gundungurra tribe which were donated to Melbourne Ward for his local museums and later Mt Victoria museum is uniquely situated in the beautifully restored donated to the Mt Victoria and sandstone bulding which continues to service passengers travelling to District Historical Society. the west The third major display is of farm Opening hours for the museum for There are five display rooms on the implements from farms in the local the month of May have been ground floor which are wheelchair valleys, showing how resourceful extended and are from 12 noon to accessible and there are displays in the settlers were and what tough 5pm each weekend. The hours for most of the upstairs rooms. lives they led. the crossing weekend will be from Admission is $5 adult/ $1 child. 10am to 5pm. The museum is It is hoped to improve signage for housed in the Mount Victoria Contributed by Jean Winston. all these displays. Railway Station. Powerhouse Museum Movable Heritage Fellowship 2013 Museums POWERHOUSE Museum Movable With superior Kandos cement from workshop Heritage Fellowship 2013 kilns heated with Kandos coal contributing to the concrete footings BMACHO will conduct a Coming up with an idea for a of Sydney Harbour Bridge no workshop to assist volunteers research project was not difficult for wonder it stands strong after 80 to better manage local Leanne Wicks from Kandos, living years. museums and collections. as she does on the Western coalfields of NSW. Evidence of the regions’ present The workshop to be reliance on coal is also easy to find facilitated by Lynn Collins will Leanne has just been awarded the with many coal mines still dotting be held at the Mt Victoria & Powerhouse Museum Heritage the landscape. District Historical Society Festival for 2013. Museum on Saturday, July 20 Fascinated by objects in the commencing at 10am and Evidence of Kandos’ past reliance Kandos Bicentennial Industrial finishing at about 3pm of the winning of coal doesn’t take Museum, which came from the much digging. Kandos Collieries, Leanne wanted Lunch will be provided by to tell the story of the many men BMACHO at the Blue who have mined the black treasure Mountains Manor House. from 1913 to 2001. As numbers are limited, only “Having grown up with green the first 30 registrations will coloured glasses, I’m enjoying the be accepted. Contact Jan challenge of respecting the history Koperberg at of coal-mining, researching the [email protected] or facts about the industry and 4751 5834 (leave a message First hard hat issued to miners in recoiling from at what some mines if unanswered) by July 13. 1947. It is lined with copper mesh. are doing to the land,” Ms Wicks It replaced the cloth hat. said.

HERITAGE 16 May - June 2013 Newspapers and genealogy By Audrey King, president Blue Mountains Family History Society NEWSPAPERS have always Immigrating pressmen were given Even away from Sydney the played an important role in free passage for themselves and rivalries between newspapers was Australian life. their families, and The Australian keen, and Goulburn was a good itself required two pressmen. example, with five papers being A wooden-screw printing press Wages were 50 shillings per week. printed in the early 1850s and quite came to the colony with the First This was in 1838. a bit of unhealthy rivalry existed. Fleet and in 1796 George Hughes, the first “government printer”, was Not all the newspapers established The first newspaper in Katoomba at work in a small building behind in the colony were successful. appears to have been The Government House, his job being Mountain Advertiser (1876). to print government orders, Many were started by men with a broadsheets, and so on. bit of spare cash and an axe to William Spring (son of the grind, and the freedom of the press aforementioned John Spring) But until 1841 most of the was abused so much that sensitive started The Katoomba Times Plain government’s printing was governors unsuccessfully Dealer in 1889, and then sold it to contracted out to the many private attempted to introduce censorship. his son and a partner. presses. Battles raged between various It was not a success and the plant In December 1840 Governor Gipps editors, often on sectarian grounds, was moved to Kaduna South established a government printing and libel suits were common. Australia about 1894. office on the corner of Bent and Phillip Streets, and appointed John When people began moving out of The Mountaineer was begun in Kitchen as government printer, with the cities, newspaper men followed 1894, The Observer c1895. two free men as assistants. closely behind, for information was important. Others began, faded, were One of these was my husband’s resurrected, died again and great-grandfather, John Spring, It was the printer or compositor who amalgamated throughout this who had previously worked on the was the important person behind century and now there is just The Sydney Herald from its inception in the newspaper, and in fact many Blue Mountains Gazette. 1831. In 1831 John Spring was not early editors were artisans rather a free man! than creative writers. Perhaps we As I said before, many of the early could say the same today in many newspapers were started by men At the beginning of 1838, The cases! with a message to spread, but Australian contained a notice today’s editors need to be a little advising intending migrating The gold rush spawned many more circumspect in expressing pressmen, that there was constant newspapers, and when the fields their opinions and they usually try employment available, as 17 closed and the diggers moved on, to ensure an appearance of papers were being printed in the so did the presses. impartiality. colony. The advent of a better educated The author - Audrey King community means that most people Born and schooled as Audrey Eamens at , I became a high can now think for themselves, and school teacher (French) at the new and absolutely huge Fairfield Girls are not keen on having the High School back in the 1950s. opinions of others rammed down their throats. My later country service at Murrumburrah Inter High was an absolute pushover after such an introduction. Marriage to another teacher, and a The big metropolitan dailies attract move to Narrabri, was followed by a return to Parramatta. a loyal readership, but the local papers, usually supported by When the last of our four children advertising and free to started school I was dragooned into householders, are community- primary teaching, which I actually based and so cater for the local enjoyed, for the next 15 years. area. When our two married sons moved to They provide us with council Springwood and Kurrajong we found it happenings and non-happenings, easier and cheaper in 1988 to move to community events, town plans, Springwood, having taken up a new local gossip, public notices, career in building and renovations on advertisements for just about their behalf. everything and (a source of considerable amusement and Fortunately, as we’ve grown older so amazement) letters to the editor. have they, and even the grandchildren no longer require child sitting. Continued on page 18

HERITAGE 17 May - June 2013 Eventually, after a plaintive Newspapers and genealogy complaint from me, they informed Continued from page 17 That’s where the waste of time me that Victoria doesn’t cross- These often provide unbalanced came about. reference, and that she may have and very partial views, but whether remarried. or not we agree with the opinions However, I digress. The great expressed, at least there is a forum importance of local newspapers for This, of course, is exactly what had for expression, and in our local family historians is in the happened. But it was in the days area there is a fairly good chance publication of the trivia. before public access to BDM’s, so I of having a letter printed (unpaid took a trip down to Melbourne and journalists?). When my mother-in-law holidayed read through the Broadford papers with us in the early 1960s the event in the Latrobe Library until I found Unfortunately even in country was recorded in the Harden paper her obituary in 1905. papers we find amalgamations (she came from Harden) and the having an effect, and there are very Narrabri one (we lived at Narrabri). Obituaries in themselves can be a few independent local newspapers source of wonder. I have read left. The information did not come from some very flowery ones (especially us directly, but I guess each paper from the Grafton and Maclean So many local newspapers now had its own “gossip writer” whose area) and some that make you feel have a few outside pages devoted job was to collect such trivia. good, like the one in the to local news, and then the greater Cootamundra Herald in 1901: part is common to newspapers from But you all know the sorts of things ‘…Her case was a hopeless one one end of the state to the other. I have in mind — graduations, …Mrs King was ever ready to weddings, competitions, etc. And if assist in any local matters, and she The few remaining independent you’re lucky you might even find a was of such a happy nature as to papers are the successors of those photograph. make all around her feel happy with dear to the heart of the family her. In her illness she was visited historian. The really big plus is the obituary!! I by a large number of kind friends.’ spent a small fortune trying to [my husband’s grandmother!] All newspapers are important to discover the death in Victoria of my family historians because they set husband’s great -grandmother. Over the years I had tried to the background for the social discover more about John Spring history of the times we are I knew she was still alive in 1863, and his time in Goulburn in the interested in, but it is the true but every search I requested of the early 1850s, but the local history country or local paper that makes VPRO for later years came back association was unable (at that our eyes light up and takes up an negative. stage at any rate) to help me. inordinate amount of our time as we are diverted by the trivia in our search for relevant information.

It was in the Braidwood Observer and Miners’ Advocate of 1862 that I read of the steepness and the narrowness of the road to Araluen that necessitated “up days” and At left, the “down days” for traffic. front page of the first It was in the Maitland Mercury of newspaper 1892 that I read “The number of printed in deaths for April is lower than in that NSW, The month for 10 years past. The Sydney government statistician says that Gazette and this is because people who might NSW otherwise have died in April had Advertiser died previously from influenza.” A on March 5, touch of Hibernianism here, surely. 1803. National I can still remember the hours Library of wasted in taking up linoleum and Australia, carpet squares when I was Trove, younger. Australian Newspapers. In those days underfelt was not used — the linoleum or carpet was laid on a few thicknesses of newspapers, and how interesting Continued those papers were many years page 19 later!

HERITAGE 18 May - June 2013 Newspapers Funds for flagging works Continued from page 18 Last year I wrote to the Goulburn at Woodford Academy Family History Society and BINGO! treasures galore!! These included photocopies of advertisements, reports etc culled from the local papers of the time.

Do you wonder that I like local newspapers, and sing the praises of family history societies?

Goulburn obviously has indexed its local newspapers, and it is a hope of mine that the Blue Mountains Family History Society may someday complete a similar index for the benefit of future family (and other) historians.

With my interest in names you can surmise quite rightly that I am also fascinated by the names of newspapers.

In actual fact, there are really not all that many when you consider the vast number of newspapers.

The owners show a lamentable lack of originality or an over-desire for conforming to tradition.

Off the top of my head I can think of: The Globe, The Sun, The Star, The Gazette, The Press, The Herald, The Mercury, The Advertiser, The . . . Daily, The Observer, The Courier, The Express, The Advocate, The Mirror, The Dispatch and The Signal. I leave you to add all the others you have come across. Now be honest! Are there many more?

In this article I have done little more SANDSTONE FLAGGING areas at Libby is also the liaison person with than scratch the surface of the Woodford Academy will receive a Abigroup, which has agreed to build importance generally of much needed restoration following a connecting path between the newspapers in and to the local a successful application for a grant Academy and Woodford Reserve, community. from the NSW government. for the Lend Lease Community Day project in September 2013. From A grant of $16,000 under the Community Building Partnership This will provide a pleasant underwear to Program has been received and the alternative entrance for visitors after Trust has allocated a further the dual highway is completed. hardware $21,000 totalling $37,000 to lift and repair the sandstone flagging areas In 1979 this property was gifted to HAWKESBURY REGIONAL of the Academy and repaint the National Trust which in 2001 th MUSEUM will celebrate its 5 external timberwork. received an Australian government anniversary on May 25-26 with a grant of $1 million from the weekend of talks, activities for Meantime, Libby Burgess of the Centenary of Federation fund for kids, things to eat and drink and Woodford Academy Management renovation. the opening of a new exhibition, committee has been instrumental in From underwear to hardware the new town entry signs showing Flagging at the rear of Woodford (Hordern Brothers, Windsor Woodford, “Home of the Woodford Academy. Image by John Leary, 1962-1998) Academy c 1834. OAM

HERITAGE 19 May - June 2013 A moment in time... a remarkable exhibition at Hartley OPENING MID-MAY A Moment in “This significant exhibition is a Other activities include guided Time, is an exhibition that examines comprehensive, sophisticated, walks and rides along the line of the celebrated crossing of the Blue accessible and absorbing Cox’s 1814 road through the Hartley Mountains by Europeans in 1813, presentation of that exciting yet Valley, a project to date sign many and the consequences of that poignant moment when the of the heritage assets located within crossing. Europeans vigorously fanned out the valley and the commitment of a westwards - it’s a must-see time capsule to inform 2113 Duncan Wass, chairman of the amongst Crossings residents of the valley. Hartley District Progress commemorations,” commented Association 1813 Sub Committee noted museums adviser Lynn The Cox’s Road walk represents a said: “In settling on the name A Collins who has acted as an unique opportunity to walk some of Moment in Time, we have tried to occasional adviser to the project. the country traversed by Cox and capture the essence of the the explorers, much of which is crossing. The exhibition has been open to the located on privately owned land and public on weekends from May 18 is not normally accessible to the “It was but a moment in time and and will be until June 16, from 10am public. this is an exhibition that considers until 3pm, and by appointment what existed before and what came midweek. For information on the Hartley after”. Valley’s Bicentenary events, go to Party viewing can be arranged at www.hartleyvalley.org.au/ Curated by retired professional any time by contacting Barbara hartleyrocks . historian Joan Kent, now a resident Johnson on 6355 2017. in the Hartley Valley, A Moment in For more information on the Time examines much more than the The exhibition will be held at the Bicentenary of the Crossings, go to crossing by Blaxland Lawson and historic Hartley School and Hall http://visitbluemountains.com.au/ Wentworth and their party. located just off the Great Western bicentenary.php Highway in Mid Hartley Road, It begins with a consideration of the Hartley. For any further information contact: rich and ancient geology of the Duncan Wass chairman Hartley landscape into which the explorers A Moment in Time is just one District Progress Association 1813 intruded, where ancient element of the commemoration Committee, telehone (02) 6355 sedimentary rocks lie juxtaposed activities the Hartley community is 2043 0414 506 643, Email: with igneous granite. undertaking, all promoted under the [email protected] ‘Hartley Rocks’ logo. In fact, the opening display in the exhibition is a most remarkable large mollusc or Brachiopod fossil, that has never before been on public display.

Discovered in the Hartley Valley, it nestles in, but is removable intact, from the block of late Devonian grit stone in which it was discovered.

Whilst geology is the opening theme, the exhibition explores many aspects of the crossing story, from the Indigenous peoples whose country was being traversed, through the explorers and the development of the Bathurst Road, to the first European visitors to Bathurst.

It closes with a consideration of the life and achievements of some of the earliest settlers in the Hartley Valley, John and Jane Grant and Pierce and Mary Collits who settled The Hartley Rock has lain in Hartley Valley for more than 300 million here in the early 1820s. years. Image: John Leary, OAM.

HERITAGE 20 May - June 2013 Festival to recall bushranger Ben Hall’s 1863 raid on Bathurst A FESTIVAL to mark the 150th sending many residents into a panic anniversary of the Ben Hall raid at as the news was passed around. Bathurst in 1863 is being planned for the weekend September, 27-29, It was during the time in history 2013 where bushrangers roamed the country from the 1860s till the The raid on Bathurst saw some far- 1880s. reaching effects that changed people’s lives and the government “Plans for the weekend are well in of the day. hand and coming together nicely. There is only a short time before Bathurst District Historical Society visitors start arriving in Bathurst so president Alan McRae, FAIHA said, be sure to book or arrange your the anniversary will take the form of weekend accommodation if you a weekend festival with numerous plan to stay for the weekend,” said activities planned over three days. Alan McRae.

There will be a full program of re- The Bathurst Regional Council has enactments, talks, tours, historic granted permission to close Russell bushranging and colonial displays Street in front of the historic Ben Hall - Penzig Collection and memorabilia, book launches as Bathurst Court House to hold the well as a special dinner with guest activities on the Saturday afternoon Some may wish to put a plaque on speaker and bushranger historian and has agreed to finance the cost Bathurst’s Pioneer Wall which can Peter Smith with his talk entitled of the closure. be organised through the Bathurst “Heroes to Villains.” District Historical Society on The Bathurst District Historical [email protected] to A sub-committee of the Bathurst Society and the committee are very arrange for the information and District Historical Society has been appreciative of their assistance. application form. meeting since May last year to organise this special weekend. Details, locations and information To receive the e-newsletter direct on the dinner, historic displays, just email [email protected] This event marks the raid on talks, tours and other activities over Bathurst by the Ben Hall Gang and the three days will appear in various Contributed by Alan McRae, the effect it had not only on Bathurst issues of a special e-newsletter and FAIHA, President Bathurst but the Colony of New South Wales media as details are confirmed. District Historical Society and the police system. It is hoped some families will use The raid took place on the evening the weekend to incorporate a family of Saturday October 3, 1863, reunion, especially on the Sunday. BEN HALL RAID DINNER TO BE HELD AT HISTORIC BATHURST SHOWGROUND

A SPECIAL Ben Hall raid dinner will be held on the Saturday evening May 28, 2013, in the historic Beau Brown pavilion at the Bathurst Showground.

It was re-constructed in 1891 and 1892 and was initially known as the Showground Art Gallery (pavilion) having been purchased at Ashfield and dismantled and numbered before bringing it to Bathurst on the train and re-erected on the grounds.

HERITAGE 21 May - June 2013 CABLE TRUST WALK ON COX’S ROAD BLUE MOUNTAINS Mountains CLERICAL Branch of National Trust are organising a walk from Mt York to Hartley, down the road constructed INDEX by William Cox and his band of ONLINE convicts in 1814-15. AN INDEX to Anglican Clergy in The walk on Saturday, June 1, Australia, prepared by the late Dr follows almost 200 years to the Ken Cable and his wife, Leonie is day in the footsteps of Blaxland, now available for searching online. Lawson and Wentworth. Cox’s Road, Mt York stockyard rail anchorage Ken Cable was a former councillor Those who wish to participate of the Society of Australian should meet at the Mt York car Genealogists. park at the end of Mt York Road, Mt Victoria at 9.30am. Initially, his index was only intended to cover clergy who served in the There is much to see to remind us diocese of Sydney from 1788 to of the past. 1890, but it was later extended to cover up to December 31, 1961 The walk is quite steep and (when the Church of England walkers need good, strong became the Anglican Church of footwear. Cox’s Road, Mt York rock Australia). There will be a hearty lunch to cuttings for bridge support Each entry provides both greet participants at the bottom biographical details as well as and a bus will take walkers back to information on the individual’s Mt York. ‘career’ within the church. There is the possibility of a pickup The Cables initially prepared the and return to Blackheath Station. index on thousands of hand-written cards and these have now been Cost: includes food and drinks, NT transcribed in a Word document members $30, non-members $35, which is downloadable as a 2826 child $10. Bookings/tickets: page PDF document http:// essential. Contact: Liz Van Cox’s Road, Mt York chipped anglicanhistory.org/aus/cci/ . Reyswood (02) 4757 2694 or rock face [email protected] HAZARDOUS TO HERITAGE THE BETTER PLANNING are not officially listed on the been slow to place on heritage Network (BPN) says the new National Parks register, or are only registers. planning laws proposed by NSW discovered once the site is Planning Minister Brad Hazzard surveyed, can be protected. The new planning laws allow will endanger our heritage buildings with heritage value but buildings and sites. “The proposed system opens the which have not been formally listed way for destruction of many as heritage to be demolished BPN’s Corinne Fisher said: “With priceless carvings, middens and without any opportunity for their the government proposing that artifacts simply because they have character to be preserved. 80% of development will be remained hidden and undisturbed, approved with no opportunity for sometimes for thousands of years. “We urge residents who do not heritage assessment, community want the local character of their comment or involvement, we can “Now they could be in the way of suburbs to be demolished and who expect a huge decrease in development where there is no do not want what is left of our heritage assets over the coming heritage assessment and the Aboriginal heritage to disappear to decade. community has no right to comment voice their opinion strongly to the or raise objections,’’ said Ms Fisher. minister.’’ “We are particularly concerned that Aboriginal heritage which has “We have to rely on the goodwill of “The minister can act to protect not yet been listed on a heritage developers to declare these heritage. It’s up to the community to register will simply be bulldozed.” heritage items and to protect them.” show him we care.”

Under the current system things The same fate will await heritage For more information contact: like rock carvings and middens houses that local government has Corinne Fisher 0421 831 889 that neighbours are aware of but

HERITAGE 22 May - June 2013 Bradman More accolades for HERITAGE From Conrad Mathias, St Joseph’s being done on Blue Mountains house wins College Hunters Hill: Thank you history and heritage. very much for forwarding your excellent newsletter. I am once From Associate Professor Ian Jack Trust award again struck by the professionalism former president of Royal Australian and accessibility of your Historical Society: My warmest publication. The preservation of congratulations on HERITAGE, historical issues and the oral which goes from strength to testimony of learned people is such strength. an important facet of a civilised society.

From Mary Reynolds, research BMACHO WILL officer Mt Wilson & Mt Irvine Historical Society: The newsletter is PROMOTE THE ICONIC tank stand, where a a remarkable triumph. young Don Bradman honed the MEMBERS skills that would see him become From Wendy Blaxland, a part of Australian Folklore, is among descendant of Gregory Blaxland EVENTS the amazing and varied pieces of AND playwright Crossing! the play: DICK MORONY, email address heritage restored and recognised at Just loved the March-April 2013 [email protected] the 19th annual National Trust edition of HERITAGE, and have compiles the ‘Calendar of Events’ Heritage Awards. said so at length in an email to other members of the committee. list for BMACHO members and sends it out by email monthly. The awards have come to represent Well done! the pinnacle for those saving our From Wendy Hawkes cultural Member organisations can send past for the future. development officer, Lithgow City their events for the whole year if Council: What a FANTASTIC they wish or as they plan during 2013 winners include the edition of HERITAGE John. Thanks the year. restoration of a now-vibrant for popping so much Lithgow things wetlands in the Hunter Valley, re- in, especially our workshop. Really Scott Pollock, email address building a crumbling church, appreciate it. The Mercury has [email protected] reviving Wollongong’s North Beach agreed to do a column for us on the will add members’ events, with a Bathers Pavilion, creating a ‘sand Crossings every fortnight and I was description and photograph to the library’ to assist with vital mortar wondering if I could forward this on BMACHO website. restoration projects, and re-shaping to them as a resource as it has so the Chinese Gardens in Darling much well researched info on so Scott would like to receive the Harbour. many events and stories. submissions about six to eight weeks before the event. For more information and a list of all From Kate Matthew – Historian and the winners visit http://bit.ly/ member of Blue Mountains City Events are also published in the 12SNnFc Council’s heritage advisory association’s newsletter Image: Bradman Project, Conservation committee: Thank you for another HERITAGE. Built Heritage - Community/Individual, great newsletter – it is a great Joint Winner - Clive Lucas Stapleton & source of information on the work HERITAGE is published and Partners distributed by e-mail six times a year in January, March, May, July, The servants and kangaroo hunter September, November. THE NAMES of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson already household names in Australian history are being thrust before the community with Material including photographs regular monotony as this year’s Western Crossings bicentenary should be e-mailed to John Leary celebrations and commemoration proceed But what of the lesser known at [email protected] characters in this much lauded adventure. about 6 to 8 weeks before the event for the best coverage. Marcia Osterberg-Olsen of the Mt Victoria & District Historical Society has written and had published in the Sydney Morning Herald’s RSVP column a It is suggested BMACHO plea to find and to recognise the descendants of the three servants and the members make use of these kangaroo hunter who accompanied the three explorers. Marcia wrote that options for publicity. there appears to be no record of these men. In addition to publicity and STOP PRESS Two of the convicts with Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth promotion, it also helps other have been named. The kangaroo hunter was John Burns or Byrnes and societies and organisations with one of the convicts was Samuel Fairs, discovered recently by Christine their planning. Yeats, senior vice president, RAHS. Christine found the information on a petition written in 1817 by Samuel Fairs to the Governor.

HERITAGE 23 May - June 2013 Western crossing commemoration 2013-15 great ideas - thoughts - just being talked about or it’s really going to happen! Poem for bicentenary LINDEN BUSH POET Gregory North has been commissioned to pen a commemorative ode to mark the first recognised European crossing of the Blue Mountains.

The poem will be recorded and performed at events throughout the Blue Mountains Crossings Bicentenary.

Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism chairman Randall Walker said the crossing is ‘such an iconic piece of local and national history that it deserves its own piece Businesses Supporting the Bicentenary founders Tom Colless OAM of poetry to commemorate the (Colless Foods) and Philip Hammon (Scenic World) at the recent Blue bicentenary”. Mountains Bicentenary Community Ball. Photograph: David Hill, Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism. “There is no better talent than the Blue Mountains’ very own champion bush poet Gregory North, who has Support for coins to school already encapsulated many times through poetry the essence of what children it is to be Australian, this BUSINESS and individuals can help the holey dollar coins are a lasting magnificent World Heritage sponsor coins free to all school memento of this historically landscape and the wonderful students in the Blue Mountains. significant occasion characters who have formed the community in which we now all live,” Sponsorship of $500 can ensure All enquiries to he said. that 100 or more students receive [email protected] or this historic memento which can be telephone (02) 4757 1425. Mr North said trawling through the accompanied by a message from annuls of history had provided rich the sponsor company or business. Governor pickings for countless priceless acquired Spanish silver coins to anecdotes to inspire and weave into Businesses and individuals can also overcome the problem of the early his poem. make a wholesale purchase of colony not having a currency. Music, markets coins at $5 each (minimum order 100 coins). The coins can either be He punched the centre out of the and plane sold at a rrp of $10 each or used as coin, the larger coin being known as promotional gifts the holey dollar and the smaller the spotting dump creating two coins of different HARTLEY DISTRICT Progress The coins are also available to values. Association is planning for Saturday individual members of the May 25 from 10am to 3.30pm, community at $10 plus postage. Radio plays Orders for 6 or more are free of music and markets day at Hartley BLUE Mountain Radio Players will postage. School Hall, Mid Hartley Road, present 1813 an all that, a lighter Hartley. Produced by Philip Hammon of side of the crossing of the Blue Mountains by Colin Semmler on They are planning for a memorable Scenic World and co-founder of May 25 at 2.30pm in the Mt Vic day of lively music, varied market Business Supporting Bicentenary, Flicks (bookings 4787 1577) and on stalls and the opportunity to view May 26 at 2.30pm in the Mountain the bicentennial flyover as they WENTWORTH FALLS Heritage Ballroom (bookings 4782 pass over Hartley School during the 2155). day. CELEBRATIONS WENTWORTH Falls Chamber of The Lost Special by Arthur Conan The exhibition A Moment in Time Commerce will celebrate the Doyle will also be presented on will also be open for viewing on that bicentenary with an event around each day. day. the lake on May 25 .

HERITAGE 24 May - June 2013 Beam holds clue to Mayan calendar CARBON-DATING of an ancient beam from a Guatemalan temple may help end a century-long debate about the Mayan calendar.

Experts have long wrangled over how the Mayan calendar correlates to the European calendar.

Texts and carvings describe rulers and great events and attribute the dates according to a complex system denoted by dots and bars, known as the Long Count.

But the date of its starting point is unknown. Spanish colonisers did their utmost to wipe out traces of the Mayan civilisation, destroying evidence that could have provided a clue. Mayan mask. Stucco frieze c.250-600AD University took a sample from a The small discrepancy may be An example of the confusion this carved wooden lintel found at a explained by the wood itself, has caused is the date of a decisive temple in the city of Tikal. Kennett’s team believes.The study, battle that shaped the course of published in Scientific Reports, says Mayan civilisation. Using a technique called the huge lintel was taken from a accelerator mass spectrometry, the sapodilla tree, which has a very It occurred 1,390,838 days from the team concluded the tree was cut hard wood and would have taken start of the count, but attempts to down and carved about AD658-696. years to strip and carve using transcribe this into the European stone-age implements. calendar have given estimates that The estimate closely matches that vary by hundreds of years. of a decades-old benchmark for Historians should now be able to Mayan dating, the Goodman- build a more accurate chronology of Anthropologists led by Douglas Martinez-Thompson method, which the rise and fall of the Mayan Kennett at Pennsylvania State put the battle at about AD695-712. civilisation, the study says.AFP BLUE MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS INC. REGISTERED OFFICE 1/19 Stypandra Place, MEMBERSHIP The following organisations are members of Springwood, 2777 (02) 4751 5834 BMACHO: Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah, E-mail: [email protected] or Blue Mountains City Library, Blue Mountains Cultural Heritage Centre, Blue Mountain Education and Research Trust, Blue [email protected] Mountains Historical Society Inc., Blue Mountains Family Website: www.bluemountains.heritage.com History Society Inc., Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute, ABN 53 994 839 952 Eskbank Rail Heritage Centre, Everglades Historic House & THE ORGANISATION Blue Mountains Association of Gardens, Friends of Norman Lindsay Gallery, Glenbrook & Cultural Organisations Inc. (BMACHO) was established District Historical Society Inc., Hartley Valley District Progress in April 2006 following a unanimous response to a Association, Kurrajong-Comleroy Historical Society Inc, proposal from Professor Barrie Reynolds at the 2004 Lithgow and District Family History Society Inc., Lithgow Blue Mountains Local History Conference which sought Mining Museum Inc., Lithgow Regional Library – Local from Blue Mountains City Council the creation of a Studies, Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum Inc, Mt Victoria cultural heritage strategy for the city. and District Historical Society Inc., Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine BMACHO in its constitution uses the definition: “Cultural History Society Inc. (including Turkish Bath Museum), heritage is all aspects of life of the peoples of the Blue Mudgee Historical Society Inc., Mudgee Regional Library, Mountains which was later changed to cover Lithgow and National Trust of Australia (NSW) - Blue Mountains Branch, the villages along the Bell’s Line of Roads. It therefore National Trust of Australia (NSW) - Lithgow Branch, Scenic involves the recording, preserving and interpreting of World – Blue Mountains Limited, Springwood & District information in whatever form: documents, objects, Historical Society Inc., Springwood Historians Inc., Transport recorded memories as well as buildings and sites.” Signal and Communication Museum Inc., The Darnell The objectives of the organisation are: Collection Pty Ltd, Valley Heights Locomotive Depot and i. To raise public consciousness of Museum, Woodford Academy Management Committe, Zig the value of cultural heritage. Zag Railway Co-op Ltd. The following are individual members: ii. To encourage and assist cultural Ray Christison, Associate Professor Ian Jack, Joan Kent, heritage activities of member organisations. John Leary OAM, John Low OAM, Ian Milliss, Patsy Moppett, iii. To initiate and support cultural Professor Barrie Reynolds, Dr Peter Rickwood and Dr Peter heritage activities not already covered by Stanbury OAM. member organisations. One of the aims of BMACHO is to bring the various bodies into closer contact, to COMMITTEE The committee for 2012-13 is: John Leary, encourage them to work more closely together and to OAM (president), Ian Jack (vice president), Jan Koperberg provide a combined voice on matters of importance (secretary), Kevin Frappell, Wendy Hawkes, Doug Knowles, within the heritage sector. Dick Morony (public officer), and Scott Pollock, Jean Winston.

AFFILIATIONS BMACHO is a member of the Royal DISCLAIMER Views and opinions expressed in Australian Historical Society Inc. HERITAGE originate from many sources and contributors. Every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of material. Content HERITAGE BMACHO’s official newsletter is edited does not necessarily represent or reflect the views and by John Leary, OAM. opinions of BMACHO, its committee or members. If errors are Blue Mountains History Journal is edited by found feedback is most welcome. Dr Peter Rickwood.

HERITAGE 25 May - June 2013