Thurs, 7th Jan, 2016 Thegoa Lagoon & Reserve, Wentworth, NSW (exploring Wentworth and rivers)

24 degrees though the breeze feels a lot colder this morning. Clear blue sky.

Headed into Wentworth then back over the Darling River bridge and Tuckers Creek to the Two Rivers Reserve. A good example of a canoe tree.

One kilometre walk down the middle of Junction Island to the meeting spot of the two rivers, the Darling and the Murray (though the water in the Darling is actually the Murray’s). One day when it is flowing we will have to come again. Captain Sturt sailed down the Murray on his expedition and arrived at the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers on the 23^rd January, 1830. He was confronted by aboriginals, armed with spears and weapons, at the Junction Sandbar – a large sandbank projecting nearly a third of the way across the channel. The four aboriginals who had befriended Sturt’s party on their journey and followed them on foot along the river, intervened and negotiated on Sturt’s behalf and therefore the ‘intruders’ presence was accepted. Captain Sturt named the Murray River on that day, at the point where the two rivers converged. It was named after Sir George Murray, Secretary of State for the Colonies. Since the construction of Lock 10, resulting in the increased height of the rivers, the clay bank described by Sturt has seldom been visible since the 1930s. Across the little bridge over the channel (not sure if natural or manmade) with the Murray on our left and the Darling on our right.

Headed down the track. This dead tree had just lost a layer of bark.

They need to do some work on the track!! Another couple said they had just seen a snake.

Out to the end where there was a little viewing platform (where I was standing). Steve walked out onto the next tiny island to stand on the stump – we later found out that was the Captain Sturt’s DIG tree. I asked the Info Centre lady about it when we read the info and she said it had died and someone had cut it down – they were hoping to carve some animals into it.

Scanned around from the Murray, the weir, then up the Darling.

I walked out onto the point then took photo of the Darling, Steve and the Murray.

Zoomed in on the weir and lock.

There was a comments book there so we added a note about the path – re snakes, and the need for information boards – especially explaining the water in the Darling is actually the Murray’s water, etc. They had a great aerial photo on the book.

Had a cuppa by the Murray River then headed back over Tucker Creek to Fotherby Park. The Wentworth Rotary Club created the park to house the Paddle-steamer Ruby that they were going to restore. Frank Fotherby was the instigator but passed away before the park was completed – hence it was named after him. The Paddle-steamer Ruby was built in Morgan, SA in 1907 and was the 4^th paddle-steamer to be called ‘Ruby’. She transported passengers and cargo between Echuca, Mildura, Wentworth and Goolway. She ended her days as a houseboat at Mildura then the Rotary Club purchased her in 1968 and she was dry docked in Fotherby Park. In 1995, the Rotary Club handed ownership to the Wentworth community. In 1996 a restoration committee was formed and six years and 1000’s of volunteer hours later, Ruby had a brand new hull and she was returned to water in a dock pond. She was all steamed up for her 100^th birthday in 2007. Restoration work takes place on various days. No one was around so we couldn’t get on board.

The pond is off the Darling River – found an interesting swing using bike handlebars.

A statue of ‘Possum’, a chap like our ‘Tarzan’. He was disgruntled by life during the Great Depression and took to living off the land in and around Wentworth. He slept in trees (hence the name), walked many miles, swam the rivers, living the life of a hermit and avoided human contact for some 50 years before his death, aged 81. A proud man, ‘Possum’ worked for the graziers in exchange for food and clothing, although he would always wait until the folk had left for town before he began his work.

A Fergie Tractor was on top of a pole to commemorate it’s importance in saving the town from the 1956 flood.

The lift span section of the old bridge that was over the Darling River from October 1893 till the new one was built in January 1969.

Some old machinery near the Info Shelter.

The first Court House of Wentworth was dismantled and rebuilt here by the Rotary Club.

Next to it was a shed with old machinery and ‘The Demon’. An 8 horsepower steam engine brought to Renmark by the Chaffey Bros (the ones who did the irrigation in Mildura). It was used for clearing the land (see the wire rope around the wheel and the pulleys along the back). It was purchased in 1900 by W Smith and used to pump water for 30 years. It was moved here in 1963.

Continued on into town to check out the other items on the ‘Wentworth Trail’. The Wentworth Public School – this classroom was built in 1881 and is an extension of the first National School which opened in 1860.

St John the Evangelist Anglican Church – The Anglican clergy were the first to visit the Wentworth District. At that time Anglicans attended regular services in the dining room of the now demolished Wentworth Hotel. The Parish of Wentworth was form in 1871 and Rev William Cocks organised the building of the church which is believed to be based on an English structure. The materials were brought to the site by barge although locally made bricks were also used in the construction. St John’s was the first church erected on the banks of the Darling River and is one of the most notable features in Wentworth.

Next door is the Rectory, built in 1873, which was reported to be the largest dwelling in the district. The house is one of only a few early brick residences left in Wentworth.

Walked down the side of the Rectory to the Darling River.

Next was the new Court House which opened on 13 April, 1880. It was made of local clay bricks. It is still used for local court sessions.

Pretty pink hibiscus in the corner of the garden.

Outside the Info Centre was the plaque about Major Mitchell and the DIG tree – very faded. That’s when I asked the lady about the tree. I also googled it but there is no photo except in the notes of Hawdon who dug up the vial it said that he found it on the point of the land between the two rivers, which is where we were standing.

Passed the Post Office which was rebuilt in 1899. Steve saw a plain clothed policeman get out of a 4WD (gun on hip gave him away) and said ‘any problem’ which he replied ‘no’. The 4WD headed to some motorbikes that had just pulled into the Hotel. The other chap got out and started taking down registrations. Steve had also seen two other police cars – this isn’t a big town so it got his attention. As we headed down the street we saw the other police car had pulled over two more motorbikes. As we were taking photos we heard the police say ‘all was good’. We think it was the bikie law about not travelling in groups.

Nice seats.

The Customs House was constructed about 1884, replacing the first building (built c1864) which was situated on the west side of the Darling River, near the bridge. This building remained an integral part of the busy Port of Wentworth up until the decline of the river trade in the 1890s. A Customs Officer was still operating from this site in 1912.

Stopped in a shop to check out the Model Paddle-steamer display. Rodney Hobbs has 26 handcrafted ships. There was an average of 485 ships recorded at the Customs House per year.

Loved the painted saw and the adapted walker.

Holding Building – 1881.

Carved fish out the front.

Info about the Wentworth Hotel that used to be on this site. It is now a large club with motel but a notice on the club section says it is in receivership.

Back to the truck and around to the Wentworth Gaol. Built between 1879-1881, the small single storey brick gaol, with bluestone trim, was designed by colonial architect, James Barnett. It was the first of the Australian designed gaols. The bricks were made on site from local clay, by Joseph Fritz and the bluestone from Wales was transported from Malmsbury, Victoria. This gaol replaced overcrowded lock-ups and was utilised until its closure in 1927. After its closure as a gaol, the building was utilised as extra classrooms for the Wentworth Central School until 1963 – now that would be interesting!!

Beside it is the Warden’s residence (1879-1927). Inside was lots of bric and brac – things that everyone threw out over the years that are now being sort after. Interesting to see the prices on some items. I like this drawing on a gourd.

Headed back to the van for lunch as it has warmed up to 31 degrees now. I worked on my blog while Steve got the bushcooker ready for dinner tonight.

After a cuppa we drove back into town to check out another ‘Fergie’ monument in the middle of an intersection.

Down to the Wentworth Wharf on the Darling River, just beside the bridge. Looking across to the bridge over Tuckers Creek which flows into the Darling.

The old water tower still stands tall. It is beside the hospital which started operating in 1887. The hospital seemed in isolation but it is thought it was built in this area as protection from infectious diseases. The ‘hospital bell’ was located on the town side of the river and the hospital warden would row across the Darling to pick up patients when the bell was rung. The water tower was made by Hudson Bros of Clyde, Scotland in 1885 and was transported by ship to Australia. The town’s water supply commenced in 1888. The ladder runs up the middle of the tank, which is an unusual feature. The ornate structure is comprised of a tall pre-stressed tower with nine cylindrical iron columns bolted in 4 sections, supporting a water tank with galvanised iron polygonal roof and decorative wrought iron finial.

This new wharf was built on site of the old paddle-steamer moorings commenced in 1859. These developed into the original wharf which was completed in 1879.

Captain Egge who came to Wentworth in the 1870s and prospered owning a few boats, properties and businesses – learnt about him in Robinvale where there was a bollard.

1956 flood marker. The wharf would be completed covered.

Back to the edge of the Darling River and the Junction with the Murray River. In the park was another tribute to the might ‘Fergie’ on the edge of the levee it helped create.

Info about the Darling River. It is Australia’s longest river starting in south-east Queensland and can flow 2740km to the end here where it meets the Murray. Another river to follow one day – when it has its own water.

Great view of the Junction of the two rivers. If the Darling River was flowing we would notice a different colour where they merged – the Darling is clay based and the Murray is sand based.

In 1838 they crossed with cattle here – must have been a dry year on the Murray.

A very little boat and surf board with someone’s worldly possessions was tied up to the bank – now that is doing it the hard way.

Up the tower for a view of the Junction where two mighty rivers meet. The Murray and Darling River system is the fourth largest river catchment in the world – Wentworth is the confluence of all rivers west of the Great Dividing Range.

On the Victorian bank I saw a blue marker (which we have mainly seen on the NSW banks) which said 832km to go.

A houseboat came down the Darling then went around the markers and headed up the Murray River.

Cute little parrots/budgies in the grass.

Saw a sign said ‘Stand here for photo’, which I did not realising what I was taking a photo of until I zoomed in on one section. They had created the garden to look like the house behind it – amazing. Now that should have a big sign telling people to come and look – I bet it is overlooked most of the time.

Back passed the Lock – this is the Lockmaster’s Residence which was built around 1855 for Wentworth’s first doctor, who arrived from Adelaide on horseback. When he left in 1870 it was bought by Mr Gurney and was known as Gurneys. When Lock 10 was to be built the house was purchased and enlarged to become the home of Mr GF Hickson, Engineer-in-charge of the construction. The house was then named Edith Cottage after his wife.

Still a warm 31 degrees at 6pm and it has been windy all day. Got the bush cooker going and cooked lamb chops and vegies though we sat inside to eat as the flies liked our dinner too much. Hot night as the temperature hadn’t dropped when we went to bed.