AN historical rift could well be threatening diplomatic relations between Lithgow and Bathurst.
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And it all revolves around claim and counter-claim about where Governor Lachlan Macquarie first attended a church service on his trek across the Blue Mountains to the site of present day Bathurst.
According to Brad and Rosemary Barber, it’s a matter of historical record that the first divine service west of the Blue Mountains took place on their “Glenroy” property near the junction of the Lett and Cox rivers on April 30, 1815.
It’s a claim supported by the official chronicle of the trip by the governor’s party and is further supported by the Macquarie Society.
And, say Mr and Mrs Barber, it’s a story at odds with a monument beside the Macquarie River in Bathurst bearing an inlaid marble plaque erected in 1930 by the Royal Australian Historical Society.
The plaque commemorates Sunday, May 7, 1815 when Governor Lachlan Macquarie proclaimed the town of Bathurst. It goes on to state “after which the first Divine Service west of the Blue Mountains was held”.
A monument at “Glenroy” records the fact a service did occur at that location attended by the governor and members of his party one week before the Bathurst service.
To emphasise the point, the Glenroy Bicentenary Commemoration Committee is planning a divine service at Glenroy Historic Site on Thursday, April 30 – 200 years to the day since the original event.
The oration will be given by Dr Anne-Maree Whitaker, president of the Governor Lachlan Macquarie division of the Royal Australian Historical Society.
Hartley’s Anglican minister Reverend Tim McIver will conduct the service.
The event will take place between noon and 2pm at the monument and organisers say everyone is welcome.
There will be a site inspection of the first two bridges built west of the Blue Mountains, the location of the 1814 military depot and the 1831 grave of Eliza Rodd.
Meanwhile, there will be another ceremony marking the anniversary a few days earlier, this time organised by the Macquarie Association and Hartley Progress Association.
That will take place on Sunday week, April 26, and for safety reasons will be held in Butler’s Paddock, just a few hundred metres from “Glenroy” along the Caves Road.
That ceremony will be attended by former NSW Governor Marie Bashir.
