SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP~ the Bathurst experience

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop holds a place of special religious and historical importance in the Catholic diocese of Bathurst, the city of Bathurst and in several other nearby locations of which the village of Perthville is the most significant.

When Lachlan Macquarie was appointed Governor of NSW in 1810 he took over a settlement with a rapidly growing population that occupied a narrow coastal strip where farming land was becoming scarce. In an effort to open up more land for agriculture he granted permission in May 1813 for Gregory Blaxland and his party including William Lawson and William Wentworth to try to find a way over the Blue Mountains and see what was on the other side. Following the mountain ridges the party found a way through what seemed to be an impenetrable maze of valleys and high cliffs. Upon their return to Sydney they reported their success to Governor Macquarie who subsequently sent Assistant Surveyor George Evans out to confirm the discovery and venture even further into the interior.

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For family history research and resources go to www.teapotgenealogy.com.  Many of our resources cover the area of Bathurst including gold and gaol records.  If your ancestors lived in the Bathurst area in the 1800's they will most likely be included in our CD's and books.

Being the oldest inland settlement, the streets of Bathurst have seen many grand moments in history. The streetscapes today are lined with impressive buildings, marvellous monuments and beautiful parks reflecting the history of the city.

HMAS Bathurst was one of 60 Australian minesweepers built during World War II. She weighed 733 tons and was 186 feet long (approximately 60 metres). The HMAS Bathurst had a top speed of 15 knots and a crew of 85.

After leaving the car park of the Visitor Information Centre turn right on to the highway and travel over Evans Bridge to Kelso. At the second set of traffic lights turn left into Boyd Street which leads to Limekilns Road.

Continue for about 6km and you will reach the entrance of what is now the Bathurst Sheep and Cattle Drome. From 1940 to 1947 this was a place of learning, not about farm animals but about war. Men ranging in age from 18 to 45 years were trained here in preparation for active duty overseas in World War II.

Edward Hargreaves is often regarded as the father of the Australian Gold Rush and is also attributed with the invention of the cradle and the discovery of gold in Ballarat but the earliest recorded discovery of gold was made in 1823 in Bathurst, N.S.W. by a Lands Department surveyor, James Mc Brien. Mc Brien was engaged in the survey of a road along the Fish River, between Rydal and Bathurst and at one point of the survey recorded in his field book the following note: "At E. (end of survey line) 1 chain 50 links to river and marked gum tree. At this point I found numerous particles of gold convenient to river".

In 1862, the Cobb & Co's headquarters were transferred from Victoria to the New South Wales town of Bathurst, a initiative designed to follow the goldfield trade. The restoration of one of the original coaches is an interesting story.

The city of Bathurst has one of the most important and intact nineteenth and early twentieth century 'townscapes' in New South Wales. Many workers' cottages, industrial and commercial buildings, terrace houses, mansions, slab huts and grand civic structures from 1815 to the 1950 remain intact.

Born and raised in Bathurst, Ben Chifley was one of Australia's most respected Prime Ministers, being highly regarded by people from all political viewpoints. Chifley remained in office from July 1945 to December 1949.

The City of Bathurst is located on the central tablelands of New South Wales, around 207km west of Sydney by road. Australia's first inland settlement has much to offer the visitor all year round from gold rush to colonial history, farmstays and outdoor activities, shopping and festivals, to the world famous Mount Panorama. Bathurst's main streets are a mixture of old and new, highlighted by the charming cast iron lamp posts adorning busy shopping centres.