Local historian and John Oxley buff, Richard Grimmond, has compiled a new comic book ‘A Bicentenary Comic Book for Kids (of all ages)’ to commemorate the bicentenary of Surveyor General John Oxley’s arrival in the Hastings in 1818.
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The fourteen page black and white comic style book features illustrations and text by Richard Grimmond with quotes from John Oxley’s journal. It is a fun and quick way to learn more about John Oxley’s journey of discovery to our region.
“October 2018 marks the Bicentenary of Surveyor General John Oxley’s arrival in our region after his exploration journey from Bathurst, down the Macquarie River, over the New England range and down the Hastings River to the place he named Port Macquarie, after the then Governor of NSW, Lachlan Macquarie,” Port Macquarie Historical Society president, Clive Smith, said.
“The Bicentenary Comic Book tells the story of Oxley’s journey in a simplistic and entertaining way and will appeal to both children and adults.
“1818 was an important year in our local and Australian history, as Oxley’s expedition had far reaching consequences not only on white settlement but on the lives of our first inhabitants.
“In commemorating the Bicentenary of John Oxley’s arrival it is important that we remember our first local people, the Birpai, and ensure that our commemorations are respectful of the impact that white settlement had and still has on our First Nations Peoples.”
Port Macquarie’s white settlement began in 1821 when a British convict establishment was built here.
The Oxley Bicentenary Comic Book is available for purchase from the Port Macquarie Museum and costs only $2.
On the back cover Richard Grimmond has named many places, people and businesses that use the name Oxley today.
The Port Macquarie Museum will host a number of events during 2018 to commemorate the Oxley Bicentenary.
The Port Macquarie Museum is located at 22 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie, within Port Macquarie’s cultural heritage precinct. Enquiries phone 02 6583 1108.