| On the 9th March 1840 Paul Edmund Strzelecki and his team started from John Hay & James Chalmers farm in Welaregang to reach the highest peak of Muniang or the Snowy Mountains. With one year delay caused by COVID 19 pandemic, we are now celebrating the 181-st anniversary of this event and are unveiling a commemorative bronze plaque. Strzelecki's 1840 expedition is quite well remembered in the Australian history. It brought Kosciuszko name (initially in the anglicised version 'Kosciusko') to the highest peak of the mainland Australia (Mt Kosciuszko), to the highest range of mountains in the Snowies (Kosciuszko Massif), and to the National Park (Kosciuszko National Park), thus contributing to 'Kosciuszko' becoming one of the major Australian tourist and commercial icons. Today "Kosciuszko Chairlift", "Kosciuszko Vodka", "Kosciuszko Pale Ale" and "Kosciuszko Wines" belong to recognizable businesses in the region.
In this context it is a bit surprising how little modern Australians know about Kosciuszko and Strzelecki. Our organisation Kosciuszko Heritage Inc aims to promote both great men, their deeds and achievements by which they deserve to be remembered as Friends of Humanity.
Min. Jan Dziedziczak's Honorary Patronate
Congratulatory Letter from Małgorzata Kwiatkowska, President of The Polish Community Council of Australia
Freshly elevated rock with commemorative plaque. Photo Glen MacGrath |
Snowy Mountains as seen from Welaregang, a sketch by James Macarthur, March 1840 |
Our latest video production: Flight over the Strzelecki route from Welaregang to Mt Kosciuszko. Time 5 mins.
Program of Strzelecki Festivities
In 1840 Welaregang was licensed to newly arrived Scottish squatters Mary and John Hey and his brother in law James Chalmers.
Lady Mary Hay |
Sir John Hay |
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