John Helder Wedge
1835-36
Australian Manuscripts Collection
This field book is a record of John Helder Wedge’s expedition around the Port Phillip district from 1835 to 1836 as surveyor for the Port Phillip Association. Containing notes, drawings and sketch maps, Wedge's field book provides invaluable information about the early European struggle for land in the district. It records early encounters with the Aboriginal people and the steps taken by the Association to secure land around present day Melbourne and Geelong.
Wedge's illustrations which accompany his notes include a sketch of William Buckley, Aboriginal women collecting tambourne roots, and several depictions of terrain over which Wedge travelled. His field book also contains a glossary of local Aboriginal words, and details of his initial survey of the land from Indented Head to Port Fairy claimed by the Port Phillip Association.
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