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Major Thomas Mitchell Print Page Print this page

16-September-2013
16-September-2013

Photographs supplied by Graeme Saunders

The cairn commemorates Major Thomas Mitchell who named Swan Hill and camped at the site in 1836. It was unveiled during the town's centenary celebrations.

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).

SWAN HILL, Saturday. A large crowd at Riverside Park today saw a cairn to the memory of Major Livingstone Mitchell unveiled by Mr A S. Kenyon, vice-president of the Historical Society of Victoria. Mr Kenyon recalled that the first irrigation scheme for the district was suggested by an Indian officer, Major Finandes. It cost £32,000, The cairn, which is of Pyramid Hill granite, bears the inscription: "Major Livingstone Mitchell arrived here 20th June, 1836. Erected June 20, 1936." Cr. A. Jager, who presided, received a framed photo of Major Mitchell sent by Mr C. V. F. Mann, of Sydney, Mitchell's grandson.
Herald (Melbourne), 20 June 1936.

Location

Address:Monash Drive, Riverside Park, Swan Hill, 3585
State:VIC
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -35.339686
Long: 143.563933
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Monument
Monument Theme:People
Sub-Theme:Exploration
Actual Event Start Date:20-June-1836
Actual Event End Date:20-June-1836
Link:http://adb.anu.edu.au/

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Saturday 20th June, 1936
Front Inscription

Major Mitchell

Camped here

June 20th 1836

Erected June 20th 1936

Source: MA,MED,VMR, ADB
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au