Home | Our Family | Where We Live | Garden | Pets | More Pets | Family History | Stanthorpe Cemetery | E-mail & Guestbook | Quart Pot Creek | National Parks | Girraween N.P. | Boonoo Boonoo N.P. | Sundown N. P. | Bald Rock N.P. | The S S "Fortitude" | O'Maras Bush Poetry |
Stanthorpe Museum | Breaker Morant | Thunderbolt | Jack Drake | Jeff Simpson |

"Breaker" Morant

CENTENARY of EXECUTION
of a

FOLK HERO

 

27th February, 2002.
Re-enactment of the last hours of Harry Harbord Morant
before his execution in South Africa 100 years ago.
A poet, horseman and Australian Folk Hero.

 

On Wednesday 27th February, 2002, O'Mara's Hotel, Maryland Street, Stanthorpe, is proud to bring to our
notice the highlights of the last hours of "The Breaker", Lieutenant Harry Harboard Morant and his mate
Lieutenant Peter Handcock, Scapegoats of the British Empire, before their execution in front of a firing squad
in South Africa at 6 am 27th February, 1902.

 

There will be a re-enactment of portions of the Court Marshal and execution, and after a reminder of this final
segment in a grim chapter in Australian History, during dinner at O'Mara's Hotel, and throughout the evening,
players and Bush Poets will present "The Breaker's" own poetry.
Penny Davis and Roger Ilott will be performing a musical arrangement of
"As Stock Go By" ­ one of "the Breaker's" poems.
A sourvenir CD of his works will be sponsored by Restless Music.

 

The members of the Cameron Highlanders who performed the execution, will be played by members of
Stanthorpe's Highland Band and the events will be narrated by local bush poet, Jack Drake.

 

Although born in England, it is said that he was the only Englishman ever seen who could sit a rough horse with
the ease and grace of a native born bushman. The book about his story is "Breaker Morant. A Hoseman who
made History" by F.M.Cutlack. A film was made about him starring Edward Woodward.

 

The Coucil for the Defence at their Court Marshal, was Major J.F.Thomas, who hailed from Tenterfield, New
South Wales.

 

The proceedings will commence at 7 pm in the Beer Garden at the rear of O'Mara's Hotel with a gold coin entry.
To book for dinner afterwards, or to take advantage of O'Mara's Hotel's Courtesy Bus, phone 07 4681 1044.

 

If guests feel so inclined, they are welcome to dress in the period. Steve Smith who provided costumes for the
Warwick Federation re-enactment last year, will be available to hire his authentic period clothes to intending
guests. For an appointment phone 07 46 837169.

 



O'MARA'S HOTEL


Back to the TOP of the page

 

For more information on the re-enactment contact Jack & Stella Drake ph 07 4683 7169
Back to the TOP of the page