Treasures & curios

John Helder Wedge's field book records his expedition around the Port Phillip district from 1835 to 1836. It sheds light on the district at the birth of permanent European settlement in Victoria.

Surveyor and explorer John Helder Wedge (1793–1872) migrated to Van Diemen's Land in 1824 and was appointed assistant surveyor. On 7 August 1835, Wedge crossed Bass Strait as the surveyor for the Port Phillip Association. This Launceston business syndicate, led by John Batman, sought grazing land in the district surrounding Port Phillip Bay.

In his own way, Wedge played a part in the birth of Melbourne. Another Tasmanian syndicate, led by John Fawkner, was also eyeing off the district. The river's fresh water prompted both parties to pick – independently of one another – the same site to settle. Wedge came across Fawkner's party when he was surveying the area. As the Port Phillip Association had not yet moved to the new site he quickly instigated the move. The two camps grew simultaneously – and often competitively – next to each other.

Wedge navigated the Port Phillip region by foot, naming local features such as the Yarra River, which was coined using an Aboriginal word he heard used in connection with it. Containing notes, drawings and sketch maps, Wedge's field book details his initial survey of the land claimed by the Port Phillip Association, which stretched all the way to Port Fairy. His illustrations include a sketch of William Buckley and Aboriginal women collecting tambourne roots. His field book also describes early encounters with the Aboriginal people and contains a glossary of local Aboriginal words.