OUTBACK AUSTRALIA..... Back When...#29

... excepting this one is a "Special" dating back to  18th July 1814 on the banks of the mighty Nepean River Emu Plains a major event started by way of linking Sydney by road to Bathurst to the west.

Governor of the Colony at the time Lachlan Macquarie commissioned William Cox to lead the group of 30 men with eight soldiers as guards. Among the free men were James Burns and Richard Lewis who had accompanied Evans on his survey expedition. Cox also picked Colebee of the Boorooberongal clan and a man known as Joe from the Mulgoa clan to be native guides. This info from the Sydney Daily Telegragh story copied and scanned here.

Have a read in LARGE if you wish.

There was of course the official speech by the Penrith Lord mayor, and the "mock" group set of being led by the team leaders.
A view from behind as they set off.

The re-enactment was organised by the Nepean District Historical Society and were suitably dressed in the era clothing.

Enjoy, and trust your day was good, have a look in LARGE.