Leaders - Albury/Wodonga F.N.C. 24 Jan, 2006.

We visited the Beechworth area today. Wow. What an interesting place. Discovered in 1824, settled in 1838, and then GOLD was discovered in 1852. This changed everything. Thousands came to the area. In its heyday it had sixty one pubs.

Ned Kelly. Its most colourful character would have to be Ned Kelly. He hid in caves nearby and his friends signalled to his "lookout" if the police were coming. A recording of his trial can be heard in the court house today.

Burke. Burke, of Burke and Wills fame, was a police superintendent in Beechworth from 1854 to 1858. He was remembered as an eccentric, writing up his books outside the station in his underwear. Julia Matthews, his girl friend, couldn't make up her mind whether to marry him, and promised to give him an answer when he returned from his epic journey.We all know th rest..... Julia Creek was named after her.

Sir Isaac Issaacs, a Governor General of Australia, went to the local primary school.

The town. The buildings are very interesting. The post office with its clock dominates the main street. There are still only three clock faces. The northern face is a black hole. It was thought too dangerous to let the prisoners in the gaol see the time of day.

There were 6000 Chinese people living in Beechworth. A garden has been dedicated to their memory and for their wonderful contribution to the town.

The huge asylum was built on top of the hill. The site was chosen because it was safe from flooding. It closed as a hospital in 1996, and is now a part of Latrobe University.

Today the historic town with its preserved buildings, many built from yellow granite, is under the wing of the National Trust. It is a very interesting place to visit.

Watch "Mad Dog Morgan" to see more of the area. Unfortunately the stunt man ended up in hospital.

Pam Ghirardi and Carol Richards.

Morning tea at Beechworth.
Photo: Rosalind Smallwood.