Bushrangers

Even the high country’s own bushranger played a role in opening the region to European settlement, treading many routes between Gippsland and the Murray as he gave the law the slip. In the course of his profession “Bogong Jack” pioneered numerous routes between Gippsland and the valleys of the northeast. Bogong Jack, whose real name was John Payne, was originally a drover concentrating on the mountain routes between Gippsland and Omeo. In the 1850’s he turned to cattle duffing and later to horse stealing which he found more profitable than droving. The police eventually captured him but, as nothing could be proven, he was set free. He then retired to his hut near Mt. Fainter and soon after this was not seen again. Whether he turned to gold prospecting or whether he was murdered for the fortune he was supposed to have amassed whilst a bushranger, is not known.The infamous Ned Kelly was also active in the North East ranges, and according to Peter Carey’s novel ‘The True History of the Kelly Gang’, Ned Kelly had camped at Bogong Jacks Saddle bellow Mt Fainter.