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01-September-2018 (Sandra Brown)
01-September-2018 (Sandra Brown)

Photographs supplied by Kent Watson / Sandra Brown

The cairn commemorates Major Thomas Mitchell's passing through the district in 1836 during his exploration of Australia Felix. The cairn was unveiled during the centenary year of his visit. 

At the unveiling of the Bulla memorial for Hume and Hovell,Charles Daley the Secretary of the Victorian Historical Society suggested that the idea be extended to other explorers and a committee was formed to mark out the routes of Charles Sturt, Thomas Mitchell, Angus McMillan, and Count Paul de Strzelecki.

Thirty-five cairns or tablets to Mitchell were erected at Nyah West, Swan Hill, Cohuna, Mount Pyramid, Fernihurst, Wedderburn, Kanya, Stawell, Mount William, Horsham, Mount Arapiles, Miga Lake, Harrow, Coleraine, Casterton, Dartmoor, Isle of Bags, Portland, Mount Rouse, Mount Napier, Hamilton, Lake Repose, Dunkeld, Middle Creek, Mount Greenock, Mitchellstown, Nagambie, Castlemaine, Expedition Pass, Kyneton, Benalla, Wangaratta, Chiltern, Gooramadda and a public park at Natimuk (Major Mitchell Park, Mount Arapiles, Natimuk).

The Major Mitchell Cairn was unveiled in Cohuna on the 24th June 1936 during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of his passing through the district. The bronze plaque with vignettes of gum leaves was designed by Mr S Chambers, headteacher of the Cohuna State and Higher Elementary Schools.

The cairn was unveiled by Mr C.R.Long who performed the ceremony as the representative of the Historical Memorials Committee. The Cohuna Cairn was constructed with granite from Mount Hope. The cairn also marked the district where Major Mitchell made the decision to turn south and discovered new fertile country for colonisation. Major Mitchell was the first white man to pass over the site of Cohuna.
The Argus, 25th June 1936.

 

Location

Address:King George Street (Murray Valley Highway), Cohuna, 3568
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -35.808937
Long: 144.221888
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Monument
Monument Theme:People
Sub-Theme:Exploration
Actual Event Start Date:24-June-1836
Actual Event End Date:24-June-1836
Designer:Mr S. Chambers (plaque)

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Wednesday 24th June, 1936
Front Inscription

Shire of Cohuna

24th June 1936

To commemorate the progress of Major T. L. Mitchell through Australia Felix

24th June 1836

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au
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