New South Wales Police employed Aboriginal trackers from 1862 to 1973. Trackers used their traditional bush skills to find lost people and pursue criminals across the land. Most were employed in regional areas, but some were based in Sydney, including the Redfern horse stables.
Dr Michael Bennett will highlight some of the Sydney trackers including Red Tank Jack (who worked at Parramatta) and Isaac Grovenor, a famed horse breaker, at a talk presented by the Randwick and District Historical Society at Bowen Library, Randwick City Library.
Dr Michael Bennett is an historian with NTSCORP where he conducts historical research for native title claims. He developed a passion for tracker history while growing up in Dubbo and hearing stories about Tracker Alex Riley who worked for the NSW Police for 40 years. He has also launched a fascinating interactive website on the history of Aboriginal trackers in NSW.
When: 2pm, Saturday 16 July 2016
Where: Vonnie Young Auditorium, Bowen Library
669-673 Anzac Parade
Maroubra NSW 2035
Bookings: (02) 9314 4888
Feature image: courtesy Pathfinders: the history of NSW Aboriginal trackers website
Hi Dr Bennett,
My Wife is the Great Grand Daughter of Isaac Grovenor.
I would love if you would email any info you have of him as family history is a little vague.
We know he was awarded the Imperial service medal and that it was stolen from my wife’s parents in Dubbo some time ago, however not a lot is known of him.
you help in filling the gaps would be greatly appreciated
Hi Tony, Thanks for your comment. We have forwarded your enquiry to Dr Bennett.
Kind regards,
Nicole
History Council of NSW
Isaac governor was my great grandfather,I too would like to know more information. My dads mother was Edna Christina grovenor
Hi Michael, feel free to email Dr Bennett directly to get some more information. His email is: mbennett@ntscorp.com.au
Hello Tony – please feel free to email me at mbennett@ntscorp.com.au I have some info on Isaac Grovenor.
Cheers,
Michael
Hi Dr Bennett, I’m the Great Great Grandson of Alexander Farrell ( Nowendoc ), if you could provide any information about Alexander other then what’s on Pathfinders would be much appreciated as I was adopted in the 60s and I’m trying to track my families history.
Dear Rick,
Unfortunately we are not able to contact Dr Bennett, but you may be able to reach him through the contact page on his website. You can find the link to that page here: https://pathfindersnsw.org.au/contact/
Best of luck with your research!
Sincerely,
The History Council Team
OMG Rick, I am Alexander Farrell’s Great Great Granddaughter. I would love to make contact with you and see where on the family tree you are. Please feel free to contact me on my uni email. c3234602@uon.edu.au.
Hi Rick, i am his GGDaughter.My grandmother was Emma Farrell. I was telling someone about this today these messages where here so i thought i try and get in touch.
I have a Ancestry Tree with a lot of Information.
Kind Regards
Kay Knowles
Hello Michael,
Frederick William Reid (Gomeroi People Native Title Group) was an Indigenous Tracker at Baradine in 1906. Having difficulty sourcing information, would you know where to source.
Thank you
Jane
Hello,
I have Samuel Paynes great, great, great, grandson Jack I was hoping to find some information as Jack is 10yrs and is very interested in him.
He is starting his journey into his connection to culture and country