Gundagai

The info sign tells the story better than I can. Here it is.

Gundagai has long been home to the Wiradjuri people, and ancient river red gums still bear the marks of Wiradjuri history. Explorers; Hume and Hovell, passed through the region in November 1824 and by the time Charles Sturt's party crossed the Murrumbidgee in 1829, pioneering settlers had begun to establish themselves in the region. In 1838 the original township of Gundagal was gazetted.

The story of The Dog on the Tuckerbox, is a part of Australia's early folklore. Its origins lie firmly in the early pioneers who forged their way into the Australian bush. In the early days the area was serviced by bullock teams. With rough tracks, river crossings, floods and extreme weather, many bullock teams became stranded or bogged. Often, on such occasions, the bullocky's dog would sit guarding its master's tuckerbox and possessions while he was away seeking help.

The legend of The Dog on the Tuckerbox captured the imagination of Australians throughout the colony. Spread by word of mouth, several versions of the story evolved over time, changing to suit the audience! The story was further embellished in later versions, with the bullocky having died and the dog pining away on the tuckerbox, awaiting its master's return. Bullockles meeting at camp sites and crossings (such as Muttama Creek near Gundagail often sat around the fire in the evening sharing these stories, poems and songs. Bowyang Yorke penned his version of the story in a poem in 1857, but the verse was amended some time later by Jack Moses. Finally the legend was immortaliced by Jack O'Hagan in 1937 in his popular song "Where the Dog Sits on the Tuckerbox.

Why a Monument?.

On 29th July 1932, a public meeting was held in Gundagal to discuss the "Back to Gundagai celebrations". The idea of a monument to the pioneers. in the form of The Dog on the Tuckerbox at the Nine Mile Creek, was decided upon. Frank Rusconi was elected as the chair of The Pioneers Monument Committes (having earlier suggested the idea in 1928).

"A monument should be erected at the Nine Mile Peg, dedicated to the pioneers and bullockies, who made the highway of to-day possible [sic], and there should be an unveiling ceremony during Back to Gundagai Week." Monies from the wishing well at the base of the monument are still donated to the Gundagal Hospital Auxiliary.

The dog section of the monument was cast in bronze by Oliver's Foundry, Sydney and its base sculpted by Gundagai stonemason, Frank Rusconi. It was unveiled by the then Prime Minister of Australia, Joseph Lyons, on 28 November 1932, with more than three thousand people in attendance.

As with anything old there are legends and variations. Here is quite a comprehensive article about the subject.

https://www.australianculture.org/the-dog-on-th…Read more