A new natural history book explores fascinating origins of one of Australia’s most influential yet unknown surveyors. If any HMAA member is interested in a review copy, please contact Quikmark Media (details below).
- First comprehensive biography of one of our most influential surveyors who mapped Australian alps.
- Balances Townsend’s triumphs with the parallel tragedy colonial exploration brought to First Nations communities.
- Full of stunning photographs, hand-drawn maps by Townsend himself and fascinating historical material.
Surveyor Thomas Scott Townsend (1812–1869) is a figure of intrigue and folklore as much as history, with his legacy etched into Australia’s second highest peak. Though shrouded in mystery, Townsend’s impact on southern New South Wales and Victoria is profound: countless towns owe their existence to his tireless surveying efforts spanning two decades. By the end of his career, Townsend had become the greatest of all the surveyors who mapped the wild Australian Alps. Yet his name is not known nor has his story ever been told – until now.
In Townsend of the Ranges (NLA Publishing, $36.99, 16 Sep 2024), author Peter Crowley delves into the captivating biography of this enigmatic man. From his humble beginnings as a junior surveyor in Australia to his years spent alone measuring rugged terrain, his mental health declining, to his final years as a recluse in London. Townsend’s journey unfolds against the backdrop of a burgeoning nation. Meticulously researched, Crowley draws upon letters from estranged family, employers, and Townsend himself, vividly reconstructing his life. Featuring original maps crafted by Townsend, this book paints a poignant portrait of a young man navigating isolation in the wilderness, mapping the watershed crests and contours of south-eastern Australia.
Amidst his solitude, the narrative unearths a darker side—a landscape scarred by conflict and upheaval as settlers and squatters laid claim to new territories. This violent history is charted in parallel with Townsend’s story, focusing in particular on the Kulin Nation, the Gunaikurnai of Gippsland and the Ngarigo of Monaro.
Author Peter Crowley is a medical doctor, a fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and a historical researcher. He attended school in Gippsland and lived for several years in the Strzelecki Ranges, a place of steep hills, eerie mists and occasional snow falls. Peter has been married to Rasika, a teacher, for over thirty years and the couple have two adult sons, Tom and Dan. He lives in Melbourne on Wurundjeri Land and feels most at home close to the Yarra River. Townsend of the Ranges is his first book. For a review copy please contact me.
If you are interested in a review copy, please contact Scott Eathorne, Founder & Director, Quikmark Media on 0418 475 801 or email scott@quikmarkmedia.com.au
