Critchley Parker Jr. (1911-1942) bought 52 acres of land in St. Georges Road in 1932. In 1940 he became interested in the plight of the displaced Jewish people in Europe and their need for somewhere to settle and took up the cause. Identifying the rugged and isolated Port Davey region of southern Tasmania as a possibility he was part of an official visit there in 1941 to assess the situation.
He returned to the area alone a year later intending to explore further. Planning to walk from Bathurst Harbour on 28 March to Fitzgerald within a week but carrying 10 days of rations he set out. His journey began in perfect weather but when conditions deteriorated and he became ill, he decided to turn back on the third day. Instigating the rescue plan he signalled for help by smoke, but the signals were hidden by fog and he eventually ran out of matches and presumably could not keep the fire alight.
Despite carefully rationing his food, it finally ran out on 17 April and he was forced to survive on two aspirin a day with water until finally the aspirin ran out and he had nothing. His last diary entry on 13 June read ‘Still alive’. Search parties were organised when he’d not been seen for a month but failed to find a trace of him. A fisherman and his sons seeking shelter themselves found his remains and possessions on 4 September and he was buried where he was found.
Critchley’s land was donated to the State by his parents in his memory.
Reference:
Wilson, C. (2010, March) Critchley Parker Jr. 1911-1942. Village Bell
It was here at the Critchley Parker Jr. Reserve that 12 firefighters lost their lives on Ash Wednesday, 16 February 1983. A memorial to their bravery and sacrifice is located on the track not far from the northern entrance to the reserve.
Firefighters Memorial
Transcription
This memorial was erected in memory of the firefighters / who lost their lives near this site on / “Ash Wednesday” – 16th February 1983:
Narre Warren Rural Fire Brigade
John Minett / Dorothy Balcombe / Lloyd Donovan / Murray Forsyth / Neil Henry / Darrell Wilkes
Panton Hill Rural Fire Brigade
Bill Marsden / Peter Singleton / Maurice Atkinson / Stuart Duff / Neville Jeffrey
Casual Firefighter
Keith Busbridge
Erected by Country Fire Authority / and Forests Commission Victoria
Surveyed on: 17 May 2020
Surveyed by: Lynne
St Georges Road, Victoria, Victoria, Australia
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