Author Archives: Liz Kelleher

Marble Masterpiece

(January 8th, 2017)

The sculptor of the famous Dog on the Tuckerbox, Frank Rusconi, also left another impressive legacy for Gundagai in the form of a unique cathedral-in-miniature. Coined ‘Rusconi’s Marble Masterpiece’, Rusconi wanted to showcase the diversity and beauty of NSW marble.

A true craftsman, Rusconi built this impressive display from 20,948 individual pieces of marble, every piece cut, turned and polished by hand over a 28 year period. Incredibly, no plans or drawings have ever been found and it appears he did the statue entirely by sight alone. Rusconi was a very talented man, some of his other works include the marble stairway at Westminster Abbey in London. He died in 1964 at the age of 90 leaving us with a legacy of these extraordinary marble sculptures.

The Marble Masterpiece stands 1.2 metres high and is permanently on display at the Visitor Information Centre (open daily).

Where: Gundagai Tourist Information Centre  Ph: (02) 6944 0250
When: 7 Days a week
Cost: Adults $5 , Pensioners $3, Children $2 , Family Group $10. Coaches also welcome $3 pp.

Gundagai Gaol

(January 19th, 2011)

Entertaining and informative self-guided audio tours of this heritage site are available daily between the times of 9:00am – 3:30pm.  Hire a player, headphones and pick up the key from the Visitor Information Centre (open 7 days 9am – 4.30pm).

The Old Gundagai Gaol stands at the corner of First Avenue and Byron St, surrounded by a high wall of local slate with sandstone capping.

HISTORY

Following the devastating 1852 flood, the town lock-up needed to be rebuilt as a watch-house or gaol. Alexander Dawson, the colonial architect, designed the building and Charles Hardy won the tender for it’s construction in 1859. Hardy and Hodson builders completed further additions in 1861, and in 1863 a kitchen was built for the gaol, designed by James Barner, the Government Architect. The magnificent stone boundary wall which still stands today was constructed in 1866.

The gaol consists of a cluster of structures including, The Gaolers residence, the external kitchen block, the hospital (original gaol), the gaol including exercise yard, an outhouse, outbuilding, a well and archaeological remains.

Prisoners with short-term sentences who had been sentenced at Gundagai or at courts in the surrounding district were incarcerated in the Gundagai Gaol. Prisoners, including bushrangers, who were in transit to other gaols were also accommodated there. Although no longer in use, Gundagai Gaol is one of the few remaining gaol compounds dating from 1859 and a rare and largely intact example of its type.

In 1870 the Gundagai Gaol was classed as a ‘lock-up’ or ‘proclaimed gaol’ and could accommodate from four to twenty prisoners. During this year the actual number of prisoners received included 4 debtors; 19 males and 2 females awaiting trial; 55 males and 3 females ‘in transit’; 11 males under sentence to labour; 7 males and 3 females sentenced to imprisonment; with none in solitary confinement. The greatest number received at one time totalled 9.

Gundagai Gaol was closed in the 1970’s and a holding cell was constructed at the Gundagai Police Station in Byron Street.

Please note: Because of the way the Old Gaol was constructed and the slope of the land, it is difficult to access for those with limited mobility. We are sorry for the inconvenience. If you require specific information about the gaol so you can consider your access requirements, please contact the Visitors Centre on (02)69440250

Main Street Walking Tour

(February 19th, 2011)

A pleasant 2km stroll viewing many historic points of interest. This walk starts and finishes at the Gundagai Visitor Information Centre, heading east (away from the highway) firstly.

The Main Street Heritage Walk takes a little over one hour to complete. Comfortable shoes are advisable. The mobile-friendly online guide will provide you with detailed information about each location.

Click here to start.

Alternatively a flyer can be collected from the Gundagai Visitor Information Centre or call us on (02) 6944 0250 for more details.

 

Gundagai Railway

(January 24th, 2011)

The Gundagai Railway station was built in 1885 and was officially declared open for public use on the 1st June, 1886. First services along the new branch line were the service contractor trains and then as the line was officially opened up to Gundagai, passengers and mail/freight were allowed to be added to the train trips.

Featuring the only slate roofed Goods Shed in NSW, the  Gundagai Railway Station was restored to its original glory in the 1990’s.

Displays within the railway station today, recall the travelling past when trains ran regularly on the now closed Cootamundra-Tumut branch line.
A photographic record of the restoration project as well as many railway items, can also be viewed.

Platform open for viewing to the public every day.
9am – 4pm

For further information:

Phone Caretaker: 0456892798


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gundagai Historical Museum

(January 24th, 2011)

Those interested in history will find the Gundagai Historical Museum fascinating. It is a treasure trove of memorabilia, with displays of pioneer life, bushrangers and even Phar Lap’s saddlecloth.

One highlight of the vast collection is the two gorgets (medallions) presented to Yarri and Jacky, the Wiradjuri men whose efforts saved many lives during the great flood of 1852.

The collection also includes a T-model ford, farm machinery, wagons, equipment, clothing, coins, stamps, household items and other interesting paraphernalia from the 19th and early 20th century.

The Museum is managed entirely by dedicated volunteers and the visitor’s book hints at the nostalgic journey of many who have spent time going through the displays.

Open Friday-Wednesday 9am-3pm.

Closed Thursdays.

Phone: (02) 6944 1995

Gabriel Gallery

(August 24th, 2011)

Gundagai is home to a truly unique, private collection of historic photographs which are now internationally known as the Gabriel Collection.

The town Doctor in Gundagai from 1887, Dr Charles Louis Gabriel was also a keen amateur photographer. Local businessman Cliff Butcher found some 1000 of Dr Gabriel’s glass negatives in the basement of a premises in Sheridan Street. The photos record the town in which Dr Gabriel lived for 40 years.

Where to view?

More than 150 photos from the collection are on permanent display in the Gabriel Gallery (upstairs above Junque & Disorderly Antiques on Sheridan Street – Note that stairs are required for access).

The Gallery also displays other unique items of interest including some of Henry Lawson’s original letters and possessions, such as his walking stick and dictionary.

A DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE
Dr Gabriel’s visual record of the late 1800s and early 1900s provides a fascinating account and documentary history of the time – transport, dress, past-times, streetscapes and countryside. Photos printed from the glass plates bring the energy of Gundagai in these early days to life.

His main photographic preoccupation was people and in particular women. He managed to capture with warmth and intimacy life in Gundagai at the turn of the century. Photographs in the collection include events such as the flood of 1900, the opening of the new hospital in 1904, travellers at the railway station, as well as sporting activities such as tennis, fishing and golf.

Along with glass negatives collected by Oscar Bell, there are now around 950 digitised images from the Gabriel Collection available online through the National Library.

 

Historic Bridges

(January 24th, 2011)

The landscape at Gundagai is dominated by four bridges spanning the Murrumbidgee flats: the historic Prince Alfred Bridge, the timber Railway Bridge, and now the dual Sheahan bridges of the Hume Highway.

The timber viaducts are wonderful examples of early engineering solutions to crossing a major flood plain. Their national significance is recognised with listing by the National Trust. They are a spectacular latticework of wooden trusses, spanning the flood plains and River.

Follow the River Walk from Yarri Park – they are well worth a look (follow the signs or pick up a brochure from the Visitor Centre).

Prince Alfred Bridge

The Prince Alfred Bridge was built in 1866, the first major crossing spanning the Murumbidgee River. It formed part of the Hume Highway until it was replaced by the first Sheahan Bridge built in 1976. The Prince Alfred Bridge is the longest timber viaduct in Australia and has been classified by the National Trust as a structure whose preservation is essential to Australia’s heritage.

Railway Bridge

The other famous bridge is the Railway Bridge which was completed in 1902. The viaduct is 819.4m long.

Dog on the Tuckerbox

(January 19th, 2011)

An internationally recognised Australian icon, the Dog on the Tucker Box is located 5 miles (8 km) north of Gundagai, just off the Hume Highway.

The legend of the Dog began in the 1850s with a poem Bullocky Bill by an otherwise unknown author ‘Bowyang Yorke’, about the partnership of the bullockies who opened up the land to settlers, and the dogs who accompanied them and guarded their possessions. A version amended by Jack Moses captured the imagination of Australians both in the bush and throughout the colonies in the early 1900s. The move to create a monument to the early pioneers, featuring the now famous Dog, grew through the 1920s, culminating in the unveiling of the Dog on the Tucker Box statue on 28 November 1932. The legend was then immortalised in popular song by Jack O’Hagan, author of Along the Road to Gundagai, with Where the Dog Sits on the Tucker Box. The Dog and its many songs and poems have put Gundagai firmly on the world map.

Today, the Dog on the Tucker Box Pioneer Monument welcomes visitors with a newly redesigned garden precinct featuring Australian animal figurines, a cafe serving hot and cold refreshments, souvenirs, Australiana and old wares, and a peaceful picnic area away from the busy highway, with plenty of parking (caravans and tourist buses included). Special events benefitting a range of charities are held throughout the year, culminating in the Dog’s Birthday each November.

Visit their Facebook page

Also whilst your visiting check out the Dog on the Tuckerbox Recreation Trail