Loading

The "bushranger tree"

This large stump of an old tree is known as the "Bushranger tree". It is believed to be the remains of the tree to which the Clarke brothers, notorious bushrangers, were chained in 1867 while awaiting the coastal steamer to Sydney.

When they reached Sydney they were tried for the attempted murder of one of the police who arrested them, by shooting at him and wounding him in the leg. They were found guilty and subsequently executed. An accomplice was subsequently charged with and convicted of the murder of the Special Constables. And that was the end of the era of bushrangers in NSW.

One useful result from this period was that the government apparently recognised that the problems of lawlessness in rural areas arose, at least in part, because of a lack of public education (the Clarke brothers were totally illiterate). As a result they began introducing public education across the entire State, as necessary with part-time schools where teachers had to meet the needs of several tiny schools.
Visible by: Everyone
(more information)

More information

Visible by: Everyone

All rights reserved

Report this photo as inappropriate

7 comments

Ulrich John said:

Thanks for showing and for the story behind the picture !
7 years ago

William Sutherland said:

Outstanding shot!

Admired in:
www.ipernity.com/group/tolerance
7 years ago

Diane Putnam said:

I read about the bushrangers in the marvelous book, The Fatal Shore. It seems that many of them were "notorious!" I greatly enjoyed that book and was happy to have read it before going to Australia!
7 years ago

Nora Caracci said:

suggestive moody picture, interesting notes !
7 years ago ( translate )

GrahamH said:

"As a result they began introducing public education across the entire State" There needs to be more of this wisdom rather than the two major sides in politics trying to outdo each other in the law and order field.
7 years ago

RHH said:

I've read the book Diane mentions as well but your story focused just on these bushrangers. Great photo and great story.
7 years ago

tiabunna replied to RHH:

Many thanks, Ron. It's a good book though focusing more on the convict days rather than the period following, which is where the Clarke brothers come along. If you'd like to read more on these, there are two books which should be available online. "The bloodiest bushrangers" and "The Clarke Gang". The second is virtually a reference book with extensive local history.
7 years ago