Born in Wangaratta and raised in Cheshunt in the fertile King Valley region of North
East Victoria.
Cheshunt is a lovely little hamlet located 4 km south of Whitfield on the King River. The village has an all-purpose
general store for supplies and a public hall.
At the end of the 1970's 70% of the farms grew tobacco for their income. Hops and beef cattle made up the remainder of
the farming activities.
Lake William Hovell
17 km south-west of Cheshunt on the Upper King Valley Rd (sealed) is Lake William Hovell which is
the main reservoir for the valley. This beautiful high-country recreation area has full barbecue facilities, fishing opportunities
and walking areas. Lake William Hovell takes its name from Australian explorer William Hovell, who trekked through the region
in 1824. Construction of the reservoir was completed in 1973.
Lake William Hovell supplies water for irrigated crops, vineyards and grazing properties along the King River from Cheshunt
to Wangaratta.
The ‘flip bucket' spillway is a special feature of the storage. When the storage has filled and during floods, overflow
water is directed into the King River as a spectacular spray. The "flip bucket" spillway chute terminates part of the way
down the slope of the storage embankment and the water leaps from it into the river. The bottom lip of the chute is curved
upwards so that large flows can be thrown well clear of the chute to reduce the risk of erosion damage erosion.
Paradise Falls
Paradise Falls is accessible and beautiful, especially in Spring. The falls have a spectacular drop of some 31 metres over
rock face of red conglomerate. Access to the falls is via the township of Cheshunt. Follow the signs and turn right into the
Wabonga Plateau State Park section of the Alpine National Park.There are actually two waterfalls. Little falls and the big
falls. The big falls being the more spectacular of the two.
Wabonga plateau is also in this area and a 2 storey log cabin built by Frank Ryan who leased the land for cattle grazing
in the summer months. The cabin also became well known by locals as a weekend away and for logers who forested the area.
Powers Lookout and Other Scenic Attractions
17 km south-west of Whitfield, towards Mansfield is a turnoff on the left to Powers Lookout. This
vantage point on the Wabonga Plateau was used by bushranger Harry Powers in the 1860s to keep an eye out for potential prey
and predators. It offers fabulous views across some truly scenic high country and there is a picnic area with facilities.
