Looking-into-Leichhardt_catalogue_Oct2013_Gannon+friends

VI WHY AREN’TWE THERE YET? March 1845

Leichhardt’s early predictions as well as his unrealistic preparations for provisions were that the journey would be completed in about six months, but by March 1845 they were already into their sixth month yet only one-third of the way towards Port Essington. There may have been some self-delusion in his diary entry for 9th March when Leichhardt wrote “…we had acquired a sort of instinctive feeling as to the course we should adopt…” Some of the party noted how easily he could be distracted by his naturalist interests. Later, Williams Phillips (the ticket-of-leave convict, a former solicitor sentenced to transportation to Australia for fraud) wrote about Leichhardt's reconnoitring absences "…or in other words his botanical and geological pursuits…" . Leichhardt’s diary contains lengthy and brilliant passages on geology, flora, fauna, hydrology, climate, native foods and observations on aboriginal culture.

80 x 120 cm oil on board 2013

Leichhardt's 1844-45 route

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