“Traverse of George William Evans 1813-1814” This inscription on the Footsteps In Time Mount Victoria Marker Plaque immediately transports you back in time. The plaque itself a simple yet powerful monument commemorates a significant chapter in Australian exploration. It marks the path of George William Evans’s survey across the Blue Mountains. This survey followed closely behind Blaxland Lawson and Wentworth’s pioneering crossing in 1813.
Evans a skilled surveyor was dispatched by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. His task was to verify the explorers’ findings and map a route through this formidable natural barrier. The journey wasn’t easy. Evans faced rugged terrain and challenging weather conditions. He was the first European to document encounters with the Wiradjuri people of the region. Their knowledge of the land undoubtedly aided his expedition.
Evans’s meticulous survey laid the groundwork for the construction of the first road over the Blue Mountains. This road built starting in July 1814 by William Cox’s team connected Penrith and Bathurst. This feat of engineering opened up vast tracts of land for settlement and development. Governor Macquarie himself travelled this newly constructed 100-mile road in April 1815.
The Footsteps In Time project a Bicentenary initiative in 1988 restored these markers. Fifteen pillars or obelisks mostly unseen re-mark Evans’s original survey route. The plaque you see here is one of those markers. It represents a precise point along Evans’s path. The coordinates etched into the plaque indicate the location calculated from Evans’ original field book. The monument’s base mimics the design of the trigonometric survey pillars used in NSW for major surveys. Evans’ work truly was a forerunner of these modern surveying techniques.
So stand here and reflect on the remarkable achievements of George William Evans. His survey transformed the landscape and history of Australia. His journey is represented by the Footsteps In Time Mount Victoria Marker Plaque. It’s a testament to human resilience determination and the enduring legacy of exploration. Remember this humble plaque is a vital piece of Australian history a connection to the past. Take a moment to appreciate the story it tells.