“Who was George Caley?” I ask. The Caley Monument stands before us a simple plaque. It’s a tribute to a remarkable man. A botanist and explorer. He was one of the first Europeans to explore the Mount Tomah area.
George Caley arrived in Australia in 1800. He was sent by the influential Joseph Banks. His mission was to document the colony’s plant life. He was incredibly diligent. He sent countless plants seeds and detailed descriptions back to Banks. His work was groundbreaking. He was the first to seriously study the Eucalyptus tree. He also studied birds and animals. He sent specimens and observations to Banks.
His expeditions were extensive. He travelled to Western Port Jervis Bay the Hunter River Norfolk Island and Van Diemen’s Land. But his most significant explorations were around Sydney. In February 1804 he defined the boundaries of the Vaccary Forest. Later that year in November he attempted to cross the Blue Mountains. His journey was arduous. He reached what he named Mount Banks overlooking the Grose Valley.
His 1804 expedition to Mount Tomah is particularly memorable. He set off from Richmond with three convicts. They walked for seven days. Finally they reached Fern Tree Hill now known as Mount Tomah. They spent several days exploring. But they ran out of food. Their return journey took four days. Caley’s journal of this incredible trek is now in the British Museum of Natural History. He documented around 30 previously unknown plants. He noted the dense nettles and thorny vines that made their journey difficult. Some of the species he collected are now planted in the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens at Mount Tomah in his memory.
In 1954 a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Caley’s discovery of Mount Banks. This event was significant. It included representatives from various historical societies and government officials. The plaque stands as a testament to Caley’s enduring legacy. The Caley Monument. It’s a reminder of his contributions to botany exploration and the early history of Australia. A silent witness to the hardships and triumphs of a pioneering spirit. It’s a story waiting to be heard. A story of determination discovery and the beauty of the Australian landscape.