AustLit

This, the twenty-fourth in a series on pioneers and explorers, tells of Angus McMillan and Count Strzelecki. McMillan, born on Skye in 1810 came to Sydney in 1838. In 1840 both men were exploring Gippsland. McMillan made four explorations of Gippsland and was appointed Protector of Aborigines in the Avon area. Later he became the first representative for Southern Gippsland in the Victorian Assembly. In 1865, when fifty-five years old, he began an exploration to open up the land from Dargo to Omeo and Harrietville but died at Iguana Creek.

Strzelecki was born in Polish Prussia in 1796 and travelled the world before he arrived in Sydney in 1838 and began an extensive geological survey in the mountains. He discovered gold, but kept it secret in accordance with Governor Gipps's wishes. In 1839 he began to explore the Monaro Tableland. After completing his arduous journey to Westernport, he went to Tasmania where for two years he conducted research before returning to England in 1843. He was awarded many honours and died in London in 1873.