Historical information

Charles Robert Thatcher (1831-1878) trained in England as a flautist before travelling to the Bendigo goldfields in 1853. He was unsuited and unsuccessful as a miner so decided to rely on his music to make his fortune. He was considered a 'comic vocalist' who wrote many songs about the observations he made on the goldfields. These songs were often satirical and were published in newspapers as poems. He travelled extensively around the Victorian goldfields and also toured New Zealand. In 1861 he married widowed singer Anna Vitellie who performed with him, singing sentimental ballads. In 1870 the family returned to England where Charles became an importer of curios, following in his father's footsteps. He travelled to China, Japan and India sourcing stock for his business and on one such trip he contracted cholera and died in Shanghai. His wife returned to Australia and taught singing in Moonee Ponds.

Physical description

Copy of song written by Charles Thatcher, 'Bryant's Ranges' 'New original song, written and sung by Mr Thatcher at the Bendigo Theatre, tune Bow-wow-wow. Song mentions Bendigo reefs and the gold seekers success or otherwise, then they were off to 'Bryant's Ranges'.