A Father's Love

For eleven weeks of the bleak winter of 1864, George Monk kept a vigil at his son's bedside. Six year old John Nimrod Monk, the second of six children born to George and Emma Monk, was suffering from an unknown illness, a condition that would probably be cured today but deadly in 1864. Young John Nimrod eventually lost his battle on August 24 of that year. Imagine the heartbreak George and Emma experienced and the shock felt by the small village of Campbelltown.

George was a plasterer and painter by trade, so we know he was a skilled craftsman. When his precious son passed away, George put his skills to use by carving his tombstone. The monument is decorated with images of fish and birds. However, the most striking feature is the likeness of a young boy. His head sits at the top of the monument located in St Peter's Anglican Cemetery.

Most believe that the young boy is carved in the image of John Nimrod. I'm convinced it is- a father's eternal tribute to the memory of a son taken from him far too soon.

Written by Andrew Allen

Source:

FOWLER, Verlie 1994
A Stroll Through St Peter's Churchyard Campbelltown, NSW

The Hume and Hovell Monument

I am sure many of you have driven past it but some of you might not know its significance. Located between Campbelltown and Appin on the left hand side of the road heading towards Appin is an obelisk dedicated to the explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell. This stone monument was erected by the Royal Australian Historical Society in 1924 to commemorate 100 years since the explorers Hume and Hovell set out on their exploratory journey to Port Phillip in Victoria.

The monument was unveiled in 1924 by the Minister for Justice, the Hon. T.J. Ley. A speech was made by the President of the Royal Australian Historical Society Aubrey Halloran which began with "Standing today upon this historic site where, a century ago, two of Australia's greatest explorers commenced their journey into the great unknown, our hearts are stirred at the memory of their magnificent pioneering work in blazing a trail to Port Phillip".

Stone recovered from the ruins of Hamilton Hume's house at Brookdale Farm (adjoining the monument) is said to have been used in the building of the monument. The inscription reads "To commemorate the Hume Hovell expedition. The site of the home of Hamilton Hume. Starting point of the expedition to Port Phillip October 2 1824. R.A.H.S."

As you look from the monument out to the west, you can only imagine what both explorers were thinking as they took those first few steps with their bullocks, horses, dogs and four other convicts into the unknown. The expedition was a success as they accessed previously unexplored land south of the Murrumbidgee. They reached Corio Bay on December 16 and reported suitable grazing land at Westernport to the Governor.

Written by Andrew Allen

Source:

Unveiling of the Obelisk at Appin
Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society
Vol. 11 Part 2, 1925 pp57-62