A History of Kangaroo Bay and Rosny Farm, Tasmania 1803 – 1998

“Stock Thieves & Golfers” explores the social history of Kangaroo Bay & Bellerive in the Clarence Municipality. Starting with stock theft clans and black-markets led by the family of Richard Morgan, other topics include Norfolk Island settlers, Derwent River ferrymen, while the development of Rosny Farm by Judge Montague is followed by emancipist farmer Walter Pedder. During World War I the farm was acquired by the Royal Hobart Golf Club, and the lives of the Club’s greenkeepers are documented, including those of World War I soldier Roy Hankin during the 1930s, followed by Ted Lane post World War II.
Surveyed also is the evolution of the eastern shore from a district of rural farms to beachside shacks and finally to suburban residential locality. This change followed construction of the floating bridge over the Derwent River in 1944 giving access by Clarence residents to Hobart and western shore.

Citation

Stock Thieves and Golfers: a History of Kangaroo Bay and Rosny Farm Tasmania 1803-1998. Peter MacFie, 2002. Published by Clarence City Council.

Details

72 A4 pages. Maps, photographs, plus footnotes, bibliography and detailed index.

Cover, Book Content Design and Production for Stock Thieves and Golfers by Christopher Cowles © 2002.

Purchase

Index

Index for “Stock Thieves and Golfers”

Libraries Tasmania

Libraries Tasmania Catalogue – Stock Thieves and Golfers

Reviews

‘an exemplary local history…’ Chris Bantick, Sunday Tasmanian

Centred on the Kangaroo Point district on the Derwent River where ferries crossed to Hobart until 1944, STOCK THIEVES & GOLFERS traces the evolution of a community from European settlement in 1804 to 2000. The first settlers in the area were mainly former Norfolk Islanders who arrived originally with the First & Second Fleets.

The book focuses initially on the extended family of Richard Morgan, a Norfolk Islanders transferred to VDL c 1806, and with others, were given grants around Kangaroo Bay, now known as Bellerive. Here Morgan built a large stone barn and cottage which survive on a later golf course – hence the title.

Using a network of bushrangers and highly placed officials in the colonial government, Morgan and his relatives became involved in the systematic theft of sheep and cattle in the first 20 years of settlement. The author has identified these and other stock theft ‘clans’ who combined to rob fellow settlers, including other former Norfolk Islanders such as Stanfield and Kimberley. The attraction in livestock theft was due to the guaranteed market offered by the set prices of the Commissariat.

As there was no senior court in VDL until 1823, the most detailed archival records for serious crimes in this period are held in NSW Archives Office. Peter has used these records extensively to uncover the extent of the stock theft industry in the island colony. During this period, both the accused, prosecutor and witness for both sides sailed to Sydney for trial, sometimes on the same ship, which must have made the voyages tension filled. The evidence of witnesses reveal much about early colonial life.

One of Morgan’s adult children, William, was tried and sentenced to death in Sydney’s Court of Criminal Jurisdiction. However, he was reprieved by the arrival of Governor Brisbane, returning to VDL to continue ‘farming.’ Others stock thieves, such as Bentley and Brown, were not so ‘lucky’ and were sentenced to 14 years at the Newcastle Coal Mines.

The early chapters of STOCK THIEVES & GOLFERS covers the inter-relationship of settlement in NSW, Norfolk Is and VDL. Names of other former Norfolk Is and Sydney based settlers recur, and include Ballance, Fisk, Belbin, Wade, Hibbens, Potaskie, Plyer and many others. RW Loane, a merchant with property in NSW and VDL was also implicated in Morgan’s nefarious trade, as was the Rev Robert Knopwood, the colonies first parson.

The last half of the book traces the evolution of the area from farming to recreational retreat seen through the development of Rosny Farm as a Golf Course. The reminiscences of children of former green-keepers are recounted stretching to the early years of the 20th century. This change is also set against the gradual urbanisation of the Eastern Shore, which still retains a distinct identity.

Peter argues that succeeding generations cover the past with ‘masks’ to disguise their family members, and the role of the historian is to unmask the past. The author succeeds ‘admirably.’

STOCK THIEVES & GOLFERS features over 90 illustrations in 77 pages set in large format. There is an detailed index covering names and subjects. Cover, Book Content Design and Production for Stock Thieves and Golfers by Christopher Cowles © 2002.