Alexander Patterson came to Victoria in 1842 and was overseer on Glenaroua Station beyond what is now Kilmore. Travelling overland to Sydney he selected 100 rams from Macarthur's famous Camder Merinos and brought them through to the station with only a man and a blackfellow crossing rivers and creeks as best he could, there being neither roads nor bridges in those days. Later he went out to Kout Narien Station, Comprising what is now Kaniva, where he did further adventious pioneering work. He then became manager at Kenilworth Stattion on the Wannon River, 63,000 acres in extent. the run being held by Riley and Barker (Dr. Edward Barker or Collins, Melbourne). On large stations in those early days fierce quarrels often arose in the shearing shed and on one occasion Dr. Barker being there for the shearing saw him going in among the hands to quell an outbreak and he said to him, "Patterson you will get killed," but no man or ever made him afraid.

Resolving to seek a run for himself in an exceptionally dry season he rode to western and in January 1848 being attracted by green pasture on the creek.Read More >>