www.monumentaustralia.org.au
Home » Themes » People » Government - Local
William Romaine Govett Print Page 
16-November-2015
Photographs supplied by Peter F Williams
An obelisk commemorates the naming of Govett`s Leap to commemorate William Romaine Govett, assistant surveyor, the first European to discover Govett's Leap in 1831.
The story about the bushranger Govett riding his horse over Govett's Leap, to certain death, rather than be captured by the pursuing police, will no longer cause gasps of amazement to come from tourists. The Leap is named after William Romaine Govett, assistant surveyor, who first discovered it in the year 1831. An obelisk to his memory, was unveiled at Blackheath on Saturday, by the Minister for Lands (Hon. Colin. A. Sinclair, M.L.A.), who was accompanied by Mr. J. J. Jackson, M.L.A., and Mr. S. F. Allman (under-secretary). Over 100 people were present amongst them being noted the president of the Shire Council (Cr. W. P. Mathews), Cr. Legge, the Mayor of Blackheath (Ald. W. S. Cripps), Aldermen Tucker, Godsell, Bradshaw and the town clerk (Mr. S. J. Dunkley), Messrs. S. C. Rose, I. P. Slack, C. Cripps, Beach, Scandritt, Luchetti, G. Phillips, Oldman, C. C. Kean, and Rev. W. P. Dorph. The Minister arrived in the morning, and after a civic reception, he was entertained at dinner by the Mayor.
The Minister said the obelisk he was to unveil was a fitting memorial to men of such indomitable pluck as Surveyor Govett. The Government was determined, as far as possible, to develop all areas of the Mountains. Mr. J. J. Jackson supported the Minister's remarks, stating that Govett was the first white man to look over the gorge. The Minister then unveiled the obelisk, which stands nearly six feet high, and is built of stones from the valley. The work was carried out by the two rangers (Messrs. Len Cullen and "Mick" Boyd). There are two marble tablets built into the obelisk, with the following inscriptions: "This fall of water was named Govett's Leap from the circumstance of William Romaine Govett, assistant, surveyor, first having come upon the spot in June, 1831. Blackheath Reserves Trust, 1938." Underneath is the following inscription: "Unveiled by Colin A. Sinclair. Minister for Lands, September 3, 1938."
Katoomba Daily (NSW), 8 September 1938.
View Google Map
The story about the bushranger Govett riding his horse over Govett's Leap, to certain death, rather than be captured by the pursuing police, will no longer cause gasps of amazement to come from tourists. The Leap is named after William Romaine Govett, assistant surveyor, who first discovered it in the year 1831. An obelisk to his memory, was unveiled at Blackheath on Saturday, by the Minister for Lands (Hon. Colin. A. Sinclair, M.L.A.), who was accompanied by Mr. J. J. Jackson, M.L.A., and Mr. S. F. Allman (under-secretary). Over 100 people were present amongst them being noted the president of the Shire Council (Cr. W. P. Mathews), Cr. Legge, the Mayor of Blackheath (Ald. W. S. Cripps), Aldermen Tucker, Godsell, Bradshaw and the town clerk (Mr. S. J. Dunkley), Messrs. S. C. Rose, I. P. Slack, C. Cripps, Beach, Scandritt, Luchetti, G. Phillips, Oldman, C. C. Kean, and Rev. W. P. Dorph. The Minister arrived in the morning, and after a civic reception, he was entertained at dinner by the Mayor.
The Minister said the obelisk he was to unveil was a fitting memorial to men of such indomitable pluck as Surveyor Govett. The Government was determined, as far as possible, to develop all areas of the Mountains. Mr. J. J. Jackson supported the Minister's remarks, stating that Govett was the first white man to look over the gorge. The Minister then unveiled the obelisk, which stands nearly six feet high, and is built of stones from the valley. The work was carried out by the two rangers (Messrs. Len Cullen and "Mick" Boyd). There are two marble tablets built into the obelisk, with the following inscriptions: "This fall of water was named Govett's Leap from the circumstance of William Romaine Govett, assistant, surveyor, first having come upon the spot in June, 1831. Blackheath Reserves Trust, 1938." Underneath is the following inscription: "Unveiled by Colin A. Sinclair. Minister for Lands, September 3, 1938."
Katoomba Daily (NSW), 8 September 1938.
Location
| Address: | Govetts Leap Road, Govetts Leap Lookout, Blackheath , 2875 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -33.627975 Long: 150.311497 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Government - Local |
| Approx. Event Start Date: | June-1831 |
| Approx. Event End Date: | June-1831 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 3rd September, 1938 |
|---|
Front Inscription
Source: MAThe Fall Of Water
Was Named
GOVETT`S LEAP
From The Assistance Of
WILLIAM ROMAINE GOVETT,
Assistant Surveyor
"First Having Come Upon The Spot"
In June 1831.
Blackheath Reserves Trust,
1938
Plaque :
Unveiled By
The Hon. Colin A. Sinclair
Minister For Lands
Sep. 3, 1938.
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au
