Macedon Ranges Who's Who
Distinguished and Famous people from Macedon Ranges
The region of Macedon Ranges in Victoria, Australia, has been home to several distinguished and famous individuals. Here are some notable personalities associated with this area:
1. Sir Andrew Clarke (1824-1902)
Sir Andrew Clarke was a British soldier and engineer who served as the Governor of the Straits Settlements (Singapore and Penang) and later became Governor of Western Australia. Born in Southsea, England, he spent his later years at "Woodlands" near Woodend in the Macedon Ranges region. Clarke was instrumental in initiating the railway development in Victoria.
2. Dame Margaret Blackwood (1909-1986)
Dame Margaret Blackwood, born Margaret Cribb in Malvern, Victoria, was a highly regarded anthropologist and archaeologist. She specialized in studying Aboriginal art and culture, working extensively in Australia, particularly in the central and western desert regions. In 1968, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to the field of anthropology. Dame Margaret Blackwood lived in Kyneton, within the Macedon Ranges area.
3. Lionel Rose (1948-2011)
Lionel Rose was an acclaimed Aboriginal Australian boxer, born in Drouin, Victoria. He became the first Indigenous Australian to win a world boxing title when he claimed the World Bantamweight Championship in 1968. Rose's success had a significant impact on lifting the profile and recognition of Aboriginal Australians in the sporting world. He later settled in Macedon, within the Macedon Ranges region.
4. William Edmund Hearn (1826-1888)
William Edmund Hearn was a noted lawyer and philanthropist from Kyneton in the Macedon Ranges. He was an influential figure in Melbourne's legal community and actively participated in social and cultural activities within the region. Hearn was a founding committee member of the University of Melbourne, helped establish the Melbourne Public Library, and supported various charitable causes.
5. Bruce Beresford (born 1940)
Bruce Beresford, born in Sydney, is an internationally acclaimed film director known for his work in both Australian and international cinema. He has directed movies such as "Breaker Morant" (1980), "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989), and "Mao's Last Dancer" (2009). Beresford has a property in the Macedon Ranges region and has expressed admiration for the area's natural beauty.
6. Cisca Tjampitjinpa (born c.1932)
Cisca Tjampitjinpa is a renowned Indigenous Australian artist known for her prominent role in the Western Desert art movement. She was born in the Haasts Bluff region and later settled in Kyneton, within the Macedon Ranges area. Tjampitjinpa's artworks, characterized by intricate dot paintings, have been exhibited globally and have contributed immensely to the recognition and appreciation of Indigenous art and culture.
These are just a few examples of the many distinguished individuals associated with the Macedon Ranges region in Victoria, Australia. The area has been a source of inspiration and has nurtured talent across various fields, highlighting its cultural and historical significance.
