Dear Editor,
I spoke with Dr Ritchie several years ago on the vexed question of the actual discovery of the Devonian period fish fossils. I drew his attention to the part that Jack Burge, contracted to the Boree Shire Council of the day, who drove the bulldozer that uncovered the fossils and moved them to the side for assessment, and Dr John Knight who provided the plaster of Paris to mold the sample he sent to Sydney Uni for identification and confirmation.
His, Ritchie’s, memory was vague on the point of the sample origin but I invite any who are interested in the truth of the discovery, and by whom, that they contact Keen Burge in Wellington, son of Jack who was at the location when his father uncovered them, or his younger brother Kim who still lives in Canowindra, so I believe, who might guide you to Keen, I think their younger sister Karen (Cowra) might have been too young to be involved.
I drew these facts to the attention of the Canowindra Historical Society and the Age of Fishes Museum manager (whose name I cannot remember, but if pushed I could trawl my emails) The right people at the right times who deserve their place in history and truth as well.
Regards
Robert Sherwood
Perth Western Australia