Lake Cargelligo:
Millions of years ago it is believed that volcanic activity to the east and west of Lake Cargelligo resulted in uplifts in the earth's structure to form the two ranges of hills now remaining. The rocks in these hills are more resistant to weathering while the rocks around the vicinity of the lake are sandstone and shale which are softer and thus weather faster. This effect left a natural drainage point where the lake now exists.
The lake is a natural formation which before the levee banks were installed would fill in time of flood and dry out in times of drought. It was the water source for the towns people of Lake Cargelligo and a meeting place over the years by Aboriginal people. Work commenced in 1901 for the building of levee banks, channels and weirs. All of this work was carried out by hand, horse and dray. The project employed at least 300 local workers. In 1913 the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission assumed control of the Lake Cargelligo works.
History:
John Bow – At the age of 14 John Bow started work as a stockman. He acted as a ‘Bush Telegraph’ for Frank Gardiner and was the youngest member of that gang. The gang robbed the Eugowra gold escort on Sunday the 5th June, 1862, and Bow was arrested at Nolan’s Station 21st August 1862. He was tried and sentenced to be hanged. As he was 20 years old at the time the public submitted 15,000 signatures and three days before the date due his sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life. In 1874 Bow was given a special pardon, after 12 years of gaol. After he was released he took up a section near Lake Cargelligo. He died 5th March 1895, aged 54 years, and is buried in the Catholic portion of the Lake Cargelligo Cemetery. It is recorded in the history of the Catholic Church that John Bow loaned the money for the land on which their first church was built.
