Site of Lone Grave, Halpin's Camp

Reported by Peter Brown & Phillip Charlier 11.6.2000

AMG. 8072930N 292067E

Locality: Halpin's Camp via Emuford

Description of site: Lone Grave facing 260°

Area: approximately 8m x 8m

Project Description: Brushcutting, Vine in grave to be removed. Fence to be stood up.

On 11 June, 2000 we drove westwards from Irvinebank heading into the great unknown. Taking in the flowering grevillia's and wattles along the way. A quick stop at Double Barrel water hole then back on the track.

We left the road for one of the old tracks. From this point we travelled in Four Wheel Drive.

After about twenty minutes of making our way carefully along this track we arrived at Halpins Camp and the lone grave of John Joseph Moore (died December 18 1911 aged 50 yrs).

Equipment

1 brushcutter

Chainsaw

rake

hammer, nails

secateurs

spare parts

food, beer

We took photographs from set angles and began the clean up. We used the brushcutter to clean up the area inside the collapsed fence and the perimeter outside the fence.

Peter cut down several dead trees and Phillip cut the weeds that were growing on the grave.

Then we knocked off for lunch.

Lunch

It was the first sunny day we had for the last fortnight so we decided to have lunch at the junction of Emu and Chinaman's Creeks.

We tried to take a direct compass direction but the scrub was too thick. We did find what may be a remnant of the old Cobb & Co track. The track was badly washed out and overgrown so we made our way carefully to avoid damage to the vehicle and the environment.

We came to the creek and a very steep embankment provided the only way down so we had to take it. It was a little hair - raising as the front bumper nearly hit the ground. We were nearly verticle.

We drove along the creek bed across the rocks and through sand until we got to the waterhole at the junction and stopped for lunch.

Upon Completion of the job we had a beer to celebrate and drove down to the dam to clean up.

Tours of the cemeteries and former townships of the area can be arranged by the volunteers of Loudoun House Museum.