Wellington Convict and Mission Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wellington Convict and Mission Site |
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| Location | Curtis Street, Wellington, Dubbo Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1823–1844 |
| Official name: Wellington Convict and Mission Site - Maynggu Ganai; Wellington Valley Settlement; Wellington Aboriginal Mission; Government Farm Site | |
| Type | State heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 22 March 2011 |
| Reference no. | 1859 |
| Type | Post-contact Site |
| Category | Aboriginal |
The Wellington Convict and Mission Site is a very important historical place in Wellington, New South Wales. It is listed on the state heritage register because of its history. This site was once a farm where convicts worked. Later, it became a Christian mission for Aboriginal people. There is also an old cemetery here.
This site was active between 1823 and 1844. It is also known by other names. These include Wellington Convict and Mission Site - Maynggu Ganai. People also called it the Wellington Valley Settlement or the Wellington Aboriginal Mission. Sometimes it was known as the Government Farm Site. The site was officially added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on March 22, 2011.
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What the Site Looks Like Today
The Wellington Convict and Mission Site is located just south of the town of Wellington. It sits on the side of hills that face west. Today, much of the site is an archaeological area. This means that important historical clues are hidden underground.
The site is now covered by fields, roads, and even some houses. For example, parts of it are under backyards and fences near Mitchell Highway (Curtis Street).
No Old Buildings Standing
You won't find any old buildings still standing from the convict or mission times. The most important building was the Government House. It used to be on top of the hill. From there, it had a great view of the Bell River and the valley.
The ground here is mostly red clay. It comes from volcanic rock. There are not many plants growing, mostly weeds. You can see some Kurrajong and Ironbark trees on the hillsides.
Clues Under the Ground
Even though the buildings are gone, their foundations might still be there. Experts have tried to find them. They use old maps and descriptions from journals. These clues help them guess where the original buildings were.
Some possible remains of the settlement include:
- The foundations of Government House. These are about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) under the soil. You can find river pebbles there too.
- Parts of an old blue granite path.
- Foundations of two military barracks, which were buildings for soldiers.
- Foundations of two mud huts.
- Three piles of original handmade bricks. These are found near the Government House site and under some trees.
- Old items like horseshoes and pieces of chain. These items might be from the time the settlement was active.
The Pioneer Cemetery
An important part of the site is the Pioneer Cemetery. It is located about 500 metres (1,600 ft) away from where the convict settlement was. The first commander of the convict station, Lieutenant Percy Simpson, started this cemetery.
The oldest burial found here dates back to 1825. This cemetery is also believed to hold the graves of Aboriginal people from the mission period. It also contains the graves of some missionaries. These include Reverend Watson, his wife Anne, and their baby.
