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Welcome to the official website for the Blue Mountains Crossings Bicentenary 2013 to 2015, endorsed by the Royal Australian Historical Society, Western Crossings Committee and Bicentenary Crossings Committee
Upcoming Major Events (see Events page for more information)
Blue Mountains Blue Wave authentic re-enactment, 11-31 May
Only 01weeks to go to Blue Mountains Bicentenary Flyover, 25 May
Only 20 weeks to go to Bicentenary Festival of Walking, 5 October
Welcome to bluemountainscrossings.com.au
Dear Crossings Bicentenary Followers,
On behalf of the Royal Australian Historical Society and Western Crossings Committee we are delighted to endorse this website as a central source of helpful information about Bicentenary related events, activities and history. Stakeholders are invited to share information via this website to assist residents and visitors to experience and participate in Bicentenary celebrations and commemorations of some of Australia's most significant historic milestones;
1813 - The first recognised European crossing of the Blue Mountains, undertaken by Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Charles Wentworth, and subsequent survey of the terrain by George Evans.
1814 - The building of the road from Emu Plains to Bathurst by William Cox and convict labourers.
1815 - Governor Macquarie's expedition along the length of the 165-kilometre road and his founding of the colony's first major inland settlement of Bathurst.
It is acknowledged that the areas associated with the Bicentenary of the first recognised European Crossing of the Blue Mountains, are primarily the traditional country of the Darug, Gundungurra and Wiradjuri Aboriginal language groups. All stakeholders involved in Bicentenary events and activities, including Aboriginal participants, offer their respect to ancestors and descendants of these language groups, both past and present.
Kind regards,
Dr Anne-Maree Whitaker FRAHS FRHistS
President, Royal Australian Historical Society
Chair, Western Crossings Committee
Lasting Legacies
1. Holey Dollar Bicentenary Commemorative Coins - The vision of Philip Hammon, Businesses Supporting Bicentenary, the Holey Dollars are replicas of Australia's first currency. Sponsorship support is urgently needed to help distribute Holey Dollars to school students and staff across the Blue Mountains throughout May 2013. BMLOT is coordinating special school assemblies with each school for the presentation of Holey Dollars. You can also make a wholesale purchase (minimum 100 coins) or direct purchase.
2. The 2013 Explorers' Monument Project - Three busts, one of each of the explorers Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth created by renowned sculptor Terrance Plowright and commissioned by Tom Colless OAM of Businesses Supporting Bicentenary. The busts will be installed in their namesake villages. Businesses, families and individuals may make their mark in history by sponsoring a bust and have their name, family or businesses recognised as one of only 200 on a plaque.
3. Crossing - A play for all ages celebrating the Bicentenary play written by descendant Wendy Blaxland.
4. How Far We've Come - A special Bicentenary Poem written by Australian champion bush poet Gregory North.
5. Blue Mountains Crossing - A fanfare for brass written by award winning composer Haydn Walker.
6. Our Australia - An original song celebrating the crossing by the Blue Mountains Ukulele Group.
Please see the "News" and "Downloads" pages of this website for further information on all of the Lasting Legacies.
Contributors to the site
This site is proudly supported by Blue Mountains Lithgow & Oberon Tourism, Destination NSW and Businesses Supporting Bicentenary for the Bicentenary Crossings Committee (Blue Mountains City Council). Bicentenary Crossings Committee (BCC) is working closely and colloboratively with a range of Crossings contributors from Sydney across the Blue Mountains to Bathurst including the Royal Australian Historical Society, local historical societies, councils including Penrith, Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Oberon and Bathurst, local tourism organisations, chambers of commerce, National Trust, descendants and many community organisations.
Patron of Blue Mountains Crossings Bicentenary
The Bicentenary Crossings Committee is proud to recognise Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO Governor of NSW as the Patron of the Blue Mountains Crossings Bicentenary commemoration. |
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