Melbourne: Repository of Australian history

Premasara EPASINGHE

Melbourne is the capital of Victoria, Australia, near the mouth of the river Yarra. About 80 kilometres from the city of Melbourne, and 50 kilometres away from the beautiful Suburb-Sunbury, lie the historic Hanging Rock and Macedon War Memorial Gold Cross, two important tourist Attractions in Australian soil.

Hanging Rock became famous, because of the missing school girls, who went on a school excursion, about hundred years ago. Out of 100 school girls who went on this school trip, four girls, who reached the main entrance on a balmy evening only one returned. Other three girls went missing. This still remains a mystery to this day.

What happened to these three girls?

The Australian Government authorities, made a thorough search operation to find these missing girls. Unfortunately, even to this day, there was no trace at all. They still could not discover even the decomposed bodies or bones of these three school girls.

I had the good fortune of visiting the historical Hanging Rock and the Macedon War Memorial Cross, in the company of my brother-in-law, Dr. Mahinda Samararatne, a Medical Practioneer and a Consultant in Goonewarra, Sunbury, Melbourne.

It was a very pelasant drive from Goonewara, Sunbury. We drove passing beautiful valleys, mountain rangers, forests, full of tall gum trees. The cool silvery breeze and the flora and fauna. The cool, chilly environment was exotic.

We drove the car uphill. Our first stop was the famous Macedon War Memorial Gold Cross nestling in the hill top, which is about 4500 feet, from the Ground level.

The gold plated massive Cross was erected here, in Macedon, as a homage and as a tribute to the Anzac Warriors - Members of the Australian - New Zealand Army Corp, who laid the lives on behalf of Australia.

It was on 25th April 1914, the Anzac Troops landed at Gallipoli. They hold a ceremony and a Memorial Service at the War Memorial at Canberra on April 25, annually.

What is Gallipoli?

It was a Port in European Turkey, giving its name to the peninsula (ancient name Chersonesus), on which it stands.

In World War I at the instigation of Britain’s Great War Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, an unsuccessful attempt was made in February 1915, January 1916, by allied troops to force their way through the Dardanells.

What is Dardanells?

Turkish Strait, connecting the Sea of Marmara with Aegean sea (ancient name “Hellespoint”, Turkish name “Canakkale Bogazi”, its shores are formed by the Gallipoli Peninsula on the North West and the Mainland of Turkey-in-Asia on the South East.

It is 75 km/47 miles long and 5-0 km/3-4 miles wide) and links up with Russia. The campaign was fought mainly by Austrians and New Zealand (ANZAC) forces, who suffered heavy losses. About 35,000 Australians lost their lives in the War.

On the pedestal, where the gold plated Cross was placed, there are some lines engraved which read as follows -

“These brave Australian soldiers were sons of the God. We, Australians will ever remember them with gratitude.”

By the side of the hill-top their lies a map of Australia, engraved near the Rock, displaying the directions. North-South-East-West. It indicates the distances from the Macedon War Memorial Gold Cross to some of the important cities of Australia, such as Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide. When you climb to the summit of the Macedon Cross, mountain under the serene blue sky, you can see the city of Melbourne nesting below.

Undoubtedly, it in a majestic, breathtaking panoramic view. The site of the Macedon War Memorial Gold Cross, surrounded by the tall majestic gum trees is an all important Tourist attraction of Australia.

Hanging Rock

From the Macedon War Memorial Gold Cross Mountain site, we drove about 12 kilometres to the North.

It was a sun-kissed afternoon. On the way, at a distance we came into sight, the attractive mountain range and the Hanging Rock siloutted in the clear blue sky. The side view of Hanging Rock was somewhat similar to our Ritigala Mountain, (Ritigala Kanda) in Rajarata.

From another angle, it resembles very much the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya, the abode of Apsaras, Megalathas and Vijjulathas or heavenly damson visiting the close by Pidurutalagala Temple, which means Temple where King Kassapa offered Gold.

According to the historical account and, legend, the Hanging Rock” was a volcano named Mamelon, which existed six million years ago.

Today, the Hanging Rock stands 105 metres from the ground. It seems that the lava which flowed from the Hanging Rock was an unusual rock - Solvsbergile or Sola Trachyte, which is the same Rock, found at the nearby Camel’s Hump, in Macedon.

The indigenous plateau became internationally famous due to the mystery of the Missing, school girls, hundred years ago. The Hanging Rock episode was so famous, there was a film produced titled “Mystery of the Hanging Rock.”

The Hanging Rock mountain range come alive in Spring and Summer. There are about 100 indigenous plants and 40 spices of Birds and Animals in this forest mountain. It is a fantastic sight to see at a distance. There are many kinds and varieties of flora and fauna in this mountain range.

Below the Hanging Rock, there is a large lush green track for Horse Racing. The annual race at the Hanging Rock premises attracts thousands people. For the fun-loving Australians, Horse Racing is one of their favourite pastime.