THE Ararat Genealogical Society is launching a book chronicling the life and times of bushranger Gypsey Smith, one of the men charged with the 1856 murder of police Sergeant John McNally.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The book 'Liberty borne of fire' was printed with the help of a Community Grant from Ararat Rural City Council.
'Liberty borne of fire' tells the story of William Sydenham Smith, a boy convict transported to Australia at the age of 15, and his experiences around Sydney, Norfolk Island and Tasmania before absconding to Victoria in a whale boat. He became known as Gypsey Smith, a hardened bush ranger who, between the years of 1852 and 1856 was a subject of interest for newspapers and police as he and his associates created fear on the gold diggings of Victoria.
The team of Marion McAdie, Greg Vivian, and Scott Hinchliffe, along with author Laurie Moore have spent over three years researching the book.
Ian Batty, president of the Ararat Genealogical Society, said the original aim was to research and publish a book on Sergeant John McNally. However, Gypsey Smith and the other characters surrounding the McNally story provided such a fascinating insight into colonial society, that they could not be ignored.
The book will be launched by Terry Weeks, president of the Ararat Branch of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation on Wednesday May 13 at 7.30pm at the Ararat Library. All are welcome to attend.