From the Maitland Mercury report:
In 1812 Governor Macquarie placed an order for 500 cedar logs to be sourced from Newcastle.
As a reward for their excellent work, Macquarie allowed four convict timber cutters to settle on small areas of land at Paterson River. And so began the story of the first Europeans to settle outside the Sydney basin.
“This was actually the earliest settlement outside the Sydney basin, which is quite incredible,” author of European Settlement at Paterson River 1812 to 1822 Brian Walsh said.
In his book, the local historian focuses on those who settled in the area on both sides of the Paterson River from 1812.
The book coincides with the 200th anniversary of Woodville – also the birthplace of the Maitland Wonder Les Darcy.
Full article available at Maitland Mercury, Oct. 2, 2012.
