Don't Undermine Us

Whatever existed at Bengalla in Edward's time has now disappeared into a whacking great hole in the ground. From Denman down the Hunter, its all coal mines and the population appears to be seriously divided about their existence. On many farm properties there are signs saying "Don't Undermine Us" but there are shops, pubs and homes displaying signs in support of coal and the employment it provides. I don't know which side Edward would've taken but I suspect he would've been anti.

Bengalla today.

He wasn't a fan of gold mining because it took his labour and led to miners tramping all round what he saw as his property. He didn't appear to invest in any gold mining so I suspect he would've been equally as displeased by coal. Its interesting to see the impact of mining on a "whitebread" area, one with money and a pretty landscape. In the west mining tends to be limited to barren, red dust regions inhabited only by miners, blackfellers and the odd grazier so opposition is left to greenies and Aboriginal groups. 

I'm with the Don't Undermine Us mob on this. It seems a shame to dig up and pollute a fertile agricultural area for an industry that realistically is going to be obselete in the next few decades. Despite our glorious leaders' inexplicable recent opposition to renewable energy, the smart money has got to be on it. 

Merton front gate. Over the road is owned by the coal miners.

Edward reached Merton by lunchtime and while his parents had already left for Sydney, his brother William was there to meet him and Edward spent five days resting here catching up with William and talking over plans and projects for the future. 

An 1853 sketch of Merton by Conrad Martens, held in the Mitchell Library.

In Edward's day Merton was the principal centre of this area, the town of Denman not having been created yet. Merton was a complete little village but virtually none of it exists today. Over the latter half of the 19th century the town was gradually moved a couple of kilometres across the river to Denman, where we settled into the Denman Van Village, a comfy little park with all ensuite sites. Looxury. 

We cycled round to Merton where Kevin, who has owned the place for 30 years was happy to let us look around. Kevin said the mining companies have bought up all the land on the opposite side of the road but he is in the no mines camp. He has seen the impact the mines have already had on farming and the environment and feels enough is enough. 

Kevin & Trish with all that's leftof the original cottage. Kevin & his wife live in an 1875 homestead built by later owners. From 6000 acres at its  peak, Merton is now a modest 40 acres. 

Kevin explained to us where the Merton Cemetery is, a few kilometres back across the road in the grounds of the Merton Vineyard and told us to tell the Japanese winemaker Atsuko that he's sent us and she would show us the Cemetery. Kevin said that vinyard land is already owned by the mining companies so what will happen to the Cemetery is not known. 

Merton Cemetery with Small Forest winery in the background. The only Ogilvie buried here is Edward's older brother William Jnr. whose grave is inthe foreground. Edward never saw William again after this visit because sadly he died from an apparent heart attack (at the age of 43) before Edward got back from England.

True to Kevin's word, Atsuko proved to be more than helpful. Having been born in Japan and working for Wignals in Albany, we had lots to chat about. I told her about Williams wine making at Merton and that Edward was taking some Yulgilbar wine to England with him to see what interest he could generate.  Atsuko's brand name "Small Forest" is a translation of her Japanese maiden name and after a taste, we bought some Rose and Chardonay.