Discovery of the Murray

The Brisbane Courier

22 April 1924

Some time ago, Dr. Cumbrae Stewart, in an article in the "Courier" on the exploration of Hamilton Hume, called attention to the fact that it will be a hundred years in November since Hume had discovered the Murray River, on his overland journey from Lake George, in New South Wales, and, incidentally, he expressed the hope that the centenary would not be overlooked in Victoria.

In an article in the Melbourne "Argus," on Saturday some interesting details are given of the exploration on the Victorian side of the border, or the Tort Phillip side, as it was known a century ago.

The article states that the Murray was discovered on November 17, 1824.

Hume and his party crossed it near the site of the Hume reservoir.

Hume called the river, "The Hume" after his father, but it was rechristened "The Murray" some years later by Charles Sturt, when he rowed into it from the Murrumbidgee, not knowing that his new river was identical with "The Hume."

The "Argus" adds: "The centenary celebrations on November 17 will commence a Albury, and will last 10 days.

The chairman of the National Parks Committee (Sir James Barrett) says that the committee proposes to co-operate with the Education Department in making these worthy of the occasion.

It is proposed, among other things, to erect cairns at the more important points along the route taken by the expedition and also to arrange for a procession of motor car, from Albury to Lara.

There would be halts at suitable places where the story of the memorable expedition would be described and illustrated."