ANDREW O'ROURKE MEMORIAL
WULGULMERANG STATION AND SNOWY RIVER ROAD WULGULMERANG EAST, EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE
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Statement of Significance
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ANDREW O'ROURKE MEMORIAL - History
Andrew was the son of Eliza & james O'Rourke of Wulgulmerang Station. Born at Wulgulmerang Station in about 1847, 4 year old Andrew died tragically in 1851. He was burnt severley after his clothes caught fire while while he was standing next to the fireplace, and died the next day. Because her husband and brother in law were away mustering cattle, Eliza sent for her sister in law, Elizabeth, at Black Mountain Station. The two women dug the grave, and buried the boy between two sheets of bark. James was so shocked when he returned that he sold Wulgulmernag, and moved to Reedy Creek in the Woodside district. Nigel Hodge (a descendent of the O'Rourkes) installed the memorial to Andrew.
Heritage Inventory Description
ANDREW O'ROURKE MEMORIAL - Heritage Inventory Description
There is no sign of the actual grave at the site, which is marked by a rectangular concrete pillar about 0.82 metres high, and 0.5 by 0.39 metres in section. A brass plaque has been incorporated into the top, sloping face of the pillar, and reads: "Andrew O'Rourke, son of James and Eliza O'Rourke, died at Wulgulmerang of burns when his night clothes caught fire in 1851, aged 4 years, R.I.P".
The grave is situated on small, low spur in a cleared grassy grazing paddock, only a few hundred metres from Wulgulmerang homestead. The land in the vicinity is gently undulating, and has a strongly rural aspect, with cattle grazing around the monument.
Physical Conditions: Poor. Grave not visible. Modern marker in good condition.
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ANDREW O'ROURKE MEMORIALVictorian Heritage Inventory
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