Winning a seat in the 2012 Junior Councillor in Penrith City Council had given Wellington the chance to participate in the Bicentennial Crossing of the Blue Mountains.
At Roughwood Park (Blaxland's Farm)
Nearly 2 months before the event, Penrith council organized an Information evening for the children and their parent/s, explaining the Trek route, costumes and safety procedures. Then a couple of weeks or so, children had picture taking dressed like in the olden days in Luddenham, where the trek will start. Students outfits were worn on top of their normal clothing and were provided by Norma Thorburn from St Marys & District Historical Society.
A week prior to the event, we got Wellington's medical certificate which was a must requirement. My husband took Wellington in the Medical Center where we usually go when family is sick or needed medical attention. Our mistake was that we were not able to bring the Information paper given by the council so the doctor couldn't write a letter to whom it will be addressed and what do the council really want to know about the child's medical condition. A bit confusion in our part why was the doctor not fully convinced when she read Wellington's record/file that he had not been to the medical center for almost 3 years? Isn't it good that Wellington's fine that he doesn't need to go to the doctor?...Maybe the doctor was thinking that we took Wellington to other medical center/s and not confident to certify that he is well and fit. My husband just told the doctor to just do the routine check up. The following day my husband brought the Council paper to the doctor then she gave the Medical Certificate stating that Wellington is fit to join the 14 kilometer walk without assistance.
As early as 6:00 in the morning of 11 May 2013, Saturday, Wellington, Willy and I were there joining the many who came for the celebration and re-enactment and had sausage sizzle, tea and coffee and juice for breakfast. I think people in charge of the foods were volunteers from different clubs. Then some briefing from the events staffs from the council and Police and Safety Officers. A short program was held with short speeches from Important people in the government like David Bradbury, Federal Member for Lindsay, Assistant Treasurer and Minister Assisting for Deregulation. Robyn Parker, NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage. Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, NSW Governor. Councillor Mark Davies, Penrith City Mayor and Dr Jack Thompson, famous Australian Actor. Steve Passfield and his Handpicked Band (a Violinist, a Guitarist and a Drummer), entertained people with songs and his guitar.
The 2012 Junior Mayor & Councillors
with the Descendants of Blaxland, Lawson & Wentworth
Wellington with Robyn Parker, NSW Minister
for Environment and Heritage
with Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, NSW Governor
(the lady in red coat)
The Trek party was farewelled as they commenced the trek at around 8:30. A copy of the Trek route was given to each family of the students participating. It said it will start at Roughwood Park (Blaxland's Farm) and travel across farm land into Samuel Marsden Road, turn left into Lansdowne Road, turn right into Kent Road, turn left into Caddens Road, turn right into O'Connell Lane through to O'Connell Street.
Wellington said he saw Aunty Melrose and her kids when they passed by Caddens Road where Melrose's house is. There was also an old woman who asked for an autograph of the students according to Wellington. Families were not allowed to follow their children that's why we just depended on the stories of Wellington of what happened during their walk.
with Councillor Mark Davies, Penrithy City Mayor
Stop over at the University of Western Sydney which also provided the morning tea for the Trek party as well as the parents. Speeches from a guy representing the University and from the Penrith City Mayor. Parents then picked up the kids and brought them to a park in Doonmore Street for lunch. The older people in the Trek party continued walking through to Doonmore Street.
Pizza for Lunch
with Papa
with Kuya Harold
The Trek Party
We should have brought our folding chairs like the other parents so we did not sit on the grass. Harold was on the bus and passed the Trek Party occupying one side of the road.The driver of the bus was irritated as some of the passengers. I wonder why not the whole community was aware of the event. People should be informed and should be grateful with people like these explorers, who had the courage to do such things in order to make the lives of the following generations easier and better. Harold joined us when the bus stopped near the area.
at Penrith CBD
The whole Trek party turned left to High Street, Penrith and then bound to Penrith City Council Civic Center on where the vehicles and horses have left.The Trek rested for a while and continued walking on High Street (Great Western Highway) to Memorial Avenue and stopped at the clock tower for plaque unveiling and the end for the Junior Mayor and Councillors participation on the trek.
According to the information paper given by the Council to us, the families, the Trek formation was: Police vehicle,Volunteer Rescue Association vehicle, the first walking party (consisting of 7 adult walkers, 4 horses and 5 dogs). Then a St John Ambulance vehicle for the purpose of first aid. Followed by the second walking party (consisting of 9 students, a Penrith City Council chaperone and Safety officer), Council vehicle and the tail vehicle was a second Police vehicle.
the clock tower
Bicentenary plaque
Jack Thompson
with David Bradbury and Councillor Greg Davies
with the descendants of Wentworth (L) and Lawson (R)
Culminating the event that day was a simple program with the Mayor congratulating the Trek party for their accomplishment and reciting poetry by Jack Thompson. The re-enactment continued for the next 3 weeks by the other descendants of the 3 Explorers.
A Thank you Dinner was held on 31 May 2013 at 7:00 pm in St Marys Leagues Club in Forrester Road, St Marys. Wellington was allowed to bring with him 2 guests. We were thinking of his kuya Harold and ate Hildyane, however Harold has a work. So we decided, it will be me and Willy who will come with him. After all we are Wellington's parents and I would really like to attend such events.
We were on Table 3, basically in the front, near the stage. We were with 2 other students who participated in the Trek with their families. Upon arrival, Silver Fox's Barbershop Quartet were entertaining the arriving guests until the program started and later again in the middle of the program.
The program started with Entree, Mushroom Vol au Vent for Willy, Chicken Satay Skewers for me and Chicken Parmigiana and hot chips for Wellington. Students/Kids were given Kid's meal which was a 2 course meal, while the adults had 3 course meal. The Main Course was char-grilled rump for Willy, Grilled Barramundi for me and Wellington had his dessert, jelly and ice cream.Oh, yes, upon entering the room, you can get your drinks from the waiters/waitresses standing near the door. You can have wine, juice or softdrinks and can ask for more if you want to while you were already sitting in your Table. A bottle of red and white wine were also in every table. And of course a piece of bread roll and butter for everyone.
After the Main Course, Councillor Mark Davies, the Penrith City Mayor, had given the welcome speech, which was acknowledging and thanking everyone who participated and helped in the event commemorating the achievements of the 3 Explorers. Followed by the speeches from Descendant, David Blaxland, Descendant, Robert Bettington, 2012 Junior Mayor Jesse Sales-Hobart and Dr Jack Thompson.
Dessert was served after speeches. Willy had cheesecake slice and I had chocolate mud cake, of course. But anyway, Willy and I shared foods as usual so as Wellington. So we were able to taste all the foods served. We had coffee afterwards which was served to our Table a bit late, and that was during the fun dancing already and while the people started leaving the place.
Steve Passfield and His Handpicked Band
Steve Passfield and His handpicked Band was very nice rendering songs during the Main Meal and after the speeches until the end of that evening affair. They played dancing music like Chicken Dance which the students joyfully danced along with other older people.
Each one of us had received a Commemorative Holey Dollar and a copy of Jack Thompson's poetry DVD called "Live at the Gearin" from Penrith City Council. Most people had an autograph of Jack Thompson while people were busy chatting with each other and others having fun dancing.
Blue Mountains City Mayor and a Councillor from the Blacktown City Council were also present that night. And yes of course the Descendants of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth, who would be the most important guests that night in my opinion.
Descendants of Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth
Trek Information
"In 1789 the discovery of the Nepean River represented a significant milestone for the fledgling colony of NSW. It was the lifeblood for grain, vegetable crops and livestock. However, the colony quickly grew, as did the urgent need to find improved grazing lands. The formidable barrier of the Blue Mountains needed to be crossed for the continued survival of the colony." (1)
"Prior to 1813 many unsuccessful attempts were made to cross the Blue Mountains." (2) " On Tuesday, 11 May 1813, explorers Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Charles Wentworth left from "Blaxland Farm" that was situated on the left bank of South Creek about three miles from St Marys, (a stone cairn was erected near the site on Luddenham Rd) . They were attended by four servants, five dogs, and four horses laden with provisions, ammunition and other necessities, and along with Aboriginal guides, travelled at around two miles per hour. Their aim was to mount the "main" ridge from Emu Plains and follow a route similar to that of the now Great Western Highway to Mt Victoria and then follow a finger ridge to Mt York, arriving late on 28th May 1813. Descending into the valley they came to a river (now known as Cox's river) that flows into the Nepean. Their turn-around point was Mt Blaxland. They had discovered a way over the Blue Mountains to an area of pasture on the other side. On the 31st May 1813, they had been travelling for twenty-one days and had covered about 93 km (an average of 4.5 km per day). They returned to Emu Plains in five days. Their report to Governor Macquarie played down their achievements and it is the opinion of many that later historical writers polished up the story and made them into heroes. Governor Macquarie took no action to exploit their discovery. A year after, William Cox built a road over the mountains with convict labour that opened up the west and saved the Colony." (3)
"....By 1813 Gregory had come to realize that his flock of sheep and cattle were expanding beyond the rsources, and Macquarie could not be persuaded to grant extra lands to large flock owners and Gregory drew the correct conclusion that the solution to the pastoralists' land problem lay in discovering a route over the barrier known as the "Blue Mountains". In 1810 he had explored part of the Nepean River and early in 1813 he requested Macquarie's approval of an exploring expedition across the Blue Mountains, and on 11th May he set out with William Lawson and William Charles Wentworth. As early as 1816 Blaxland claimed to have been the leader of the expedition but contemporary records suggest that none of the three men assumed this position but that their effort was a joint one." (4)
".... It is so important that the early history of St Marys and our district be kept alive for future generation to know what hardship endured in the early years of our Colony. They came to the other side of the world, with little preparation. England wanted to get rid of those men and women prisoners who were crowding up their goals. America was no longer available to dump their convicts so it was easier to send them to the great southern land. How could they know that by sending them away, they were doing most of them a great deed. By coming to Australia as convicts, once pardoned, they were given the chance to make a life for themselves. This life wasn't easy but by hard work and the support of their wives and family, these men and women had the chance to succeed." (5)
Sources:
(1), (2) Penrith City Council " 2013 Bicentenary of the First European Crossing of the Blue MOuntains" Saturday, 11 May 2013, Assure Event Safety Services, Avert Risk Management Services
(3), (4), (5) Blue Mountains Celebrations, Nepean News 6 June 2013 Issue 101
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Just happy for my son, Wellington for being a part of this Historical event in Australia, specifically in NSW. _______ღ☆ღ______
