Before leaving Grenfell, we made a pilgrimage to the site proposed to be where Henry Lawson grew up. We always find these literary landmarks fascinating, regardless of their authenticity. After all, truth in storytelling, like truth in history, often depends on the perspective.
The location is just outside Grenfell, New South Wales, and it presents as a rather pleasant pastoral scene, somewhat deceptive considering Lawson’s often bleak portrayals of rural life.
It’s marked by a large white obelisk commemorating Lawson’s birth on that very spot.
Nearby, smaller markers indicate that a tree was planted in 1924 by Mrs. Bertha Jago, Lawson’s daughter, to further commemorate the location. The Weddin Shire Council erected the small stone monument in 1988.
The weathered plaque is now just part of the Quandong landscape. It's a quiet spot, perfect for reflection on Lawson's legacy and the complex relationship between an author's life and their work. We spent some time contemplating both before moving on.
