Published on 22 November 2024
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the remarkable expedition led by Hamilton Hume and William Hovell in 1824.
Their mission was to discover new grazing lands and find an overland route to Bass Strait. The expedition contributed to European exploration of southeastern Australia.
Commissioned by Governor of New South Wales Sir Thomas Brisbane, Hume and Hovell set out from Appin on 2 October 1824 with a party of eight men. The group passed through Barjarg in late November and Merton in early December before eventually reaching Corio Bay on 16 December.
Monuments were erected in 1924 to celebrate the expedition’s 100th anniversary. The Barjarg monument is located near the intersection of Midland Highway and Harpers Road, and the Merton monument is located at the intersection of Maroondah Highway and Growlers Gully Road.
Chief Executive Officer Kirsten Alexander said Council encouraged community members to explore local heritage and history.
“We value our local history, across all times and parts of our Shire,” she said.
“Our area has a rich history to discover, and I’d encourage any of our interested community members to reach out to the Mansfield Historical Society.”
“Council is supporting initiatives to make our history more accessible, including through the future Mansfield Heritage Museum that’s now under construction,” Ms Alexander said.
Information on the Mansfield Historical Society is available at mansfieldhistoricalsociety.com.au