Andy Macqueen - Making incursions: a Frenchman goes exploring

The only serious official attempt to cross the Blue Mountains was by Ensign Francis Barrallier, a French refugee, in 1802. He failed, but left us with a wonderful account of his incursions into Gundungurra country. Barrallier had bright prospects in the colony but fell victim of the feuding between his fellow Rum Corps officers and Governor King. His talents were employed in West Indies instead. In speaking to his new book, The Frenchman, Andy Macqueen will argue that Barrallier’s French origin and associations influenced his undertakings and his fate in the colony, and will discuss whether his understanding of Aboriginal people and their rights differed from those of his English masters.

Andy Macqueen is a respected Blue Mountains historian, and a past member of the Blackheath History Forum committee. He is also a committed conservationist, and was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his work in that field. He has produced six history books and many articles including several peer-reviewed papers published by the Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations. His topics include colonial exploration and first-contact history, surveying history and conservation history. His latest book, The Frenchman: Francis Barrallier, life and journeys 1773-1853, is a major overhaul of his 1993 book Blue Mountains to Bridgetown. It presents much new content, and fresh perspectives.