Historical information

James Alexander Robertson was born 14th June, 1855, at Pentridge. the Coburg area which was known as Pentridge at the time, and prior to the building of the gaol.
His parents were James Thomson Robertson and Esther (nee Hale),
At age 20 James became the first selector on the Snowy River at Lochend. He took up Lots 1, 2 and 3, in the Parish of Newmerella in 1875; with his selection being ratified on May 1st, 1876. The selection included hill and river flat land in the area near where Icy Creek enters the Snowy River. James gradually improved and farmed the property; he cleared and drained Icy Creek and constructed the first known flood-gate on the Snowy River. To meet his farming commitments he supplemented his income by working on the construction and maintenance of roads and drains in the Newmerella area. He gained a contract with the Bairnsdale Shire council to construct the first road cutting down Burn’s Hill at Newmerella. His tender was for £16 ($32), and it took him, with four others, two months to complete the contract.
He was single, and, after his untimely death at aged 29, in 1884, his parents and surviving unmarried sisters and brothers moved from Sarsfield to take over his selection at Lochend.
(more information Newsletter April 2013)

Significance

James Robertson was the first selector of land at Lochend, Orbost.

Physical description

A small black / white portrait photograph, oval shaped with a white background. It is of a middle-aged man with a full beard and moustache.

Inscriptions & markings

on front at bottom - typed in black -:"James Alexander Robertson, Late of Lochend, Snowy River"