Category: Exploration

Posts relating to explorers and exploring the Hunter Region

The Geology and the Changing Landscape of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley

February 14, 2017

By Brooke Sargent (UoN Bachelor of Arts student). When I met with Ann Hardy and Gionni  di Gravio from the University of Newcastle’s Cultural Collections to discuss projects for HUMA3003 – Arts Practicum I mentioned my interest in pursuing environmental history once I had completed my studies. Ann and Gionni suggested I undertake a literature … More The Geology and the Changing Landscape of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley

Barrallier’s Surveys of the Hunter Region (1801-1802)

July 15, 2016

  For many years, when historians spoke of the Barrallier Survey or Map of the Hunter Region, conducted during the survey mission of June to July 1801, the map (above) was the only one known to them. It was published in the Historical Records of New South Wales, Volume 5 between pages 420-421. It wasn’t … More Barrallier’s Surveys of the Hunter Region (1801-1802)

Lieutenant John Shortland – Hunter’s River 1797

July 12, 2016

Lieutenant John Shortland. An eye sketch of Hunter’s River. 1797. Signed J.S. [initials presumed to be those of Lieutenant John Shortland]. 1797 Lieutenant John Shortland, R.N. Lieutenant John Shortland of the H.M.S. Reliance officially “discovered” the River on the 10th September 1797 while on route to Port Stephens. The letter to his father reporting the … More Lieutenant John Shortland – Hunter’s River 1797

The Twelfth Man: John Fleming and the Myall Creek Massacre By Patricia Withycombe

July 6, 2016

In 2015 Patricia (Patsy) Withycombe wrote a Honours thesis The Twelfth Man: John Fleming and the Myall Creek Massacre as part of a UON Bachelor of Arts (Hons). Patsy completed her Bachelor of Arts in 2013, having majored in History and French. In 2015 Patsy completed her History honours thesis, which argues that that John … More The Twelfth Man: John Fleming and the Myall Creek Massacre By Patricia Withycombe

Lt William Sacheverell Coke and Desmond

November 6, 2015

This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land. The second-in-charge of the Colony of Newcastle in 1827 was just 22 years old. Lieutenant William Sacheverell Coke is another of those early European inhabitants who kept a record of his relationships with the local Aboriginal … More Lt William Sacheverell Coke and Desmond

John Brown’s Diary

June 23, 2015

John Brown was a servant to the Scott Family during the 1820s in NSW. He kept a diary whilst in the Colony of his journey from Sydney, west towards Bathurst and to the Hunter Valley in 1824.  The diary is held at the State Library of NSW and has some interesting information about Aboriginal culture … More John Brown’s Diary

Sir Thomas Mitchell’s First Expedition (1831-1832)

February 20, 2015

Mr John Read and Mr Barry Spratt are both retired surveyors in New South Wales. John Read has field researched all of Sir Thomas Mitchell’s expeditions and has given his permission for the University of Newcastle (Australia) Cultural Collections to provide some of this work to the wider research community through the Coal River Working … More Sir Thomas Mitchell’s First Expedition (1831-1832)

The Eather Manuscript – The History of Bulga 1820 – 1921 by A.N. Eather (1921)

January 30, 2015

Within the Percy Haslam Archives held at the University of Newcastle’s Cultural Collections is located A5410(x) Xerox copy of The History of Bulga near Singleton N.S.W. from 1820 to 1921 by A.N. Eather. According to the folder’s caption, in Percy Haslam’s hand is written: “Bulga – 1820-1921 The Eather Manuscript. (Description of last combined Bora … More The Eather Manuscript – The History of Bulga 1820 – 1921 by A.N. Eather (1921)

Newcastle – First Among Seconds?

September 2, 2014

  We recently received a call for help from Tourism Newcastle relating to an enquiry (presumably from a Tasmanian) questioning Newcastle’s claim of being Australia’s second oldest city: “I was recently visiting your “visitnewcastle.com.au” website and was surprised to see that it is claiming Newcastle to be Australia’s second oldest city. I would like to … More Newcastle – First Among Seconds?