Archer's Home Town Traditional Cache
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Terrara is the original township, and home of legendary racehorse Archer, trained by the son of the original landholder.
In 1824 Prosper De Mestre was promised land by Governor Brisbane. 1300 acres were authorised on the southern shore of the river in 1829 but he did not receive the deed until 1836, naming the property 'Terar'.The homestead, 'Mill Bank House', which still stands in Millbank Road, was probably erected at this time. A village, named 'Terrara', soon began to develop. The spelling was changed to 'Terara' in 1935. De Mestre died in 1844 and Mary and two of her sons, Andre and Etienne (she had 11 children), furthered the development of the village, which was, at that time, the largest settlement in the area. They added three wharves in 1854 and established a steam-driven flour mill in 1856. In 1861 the racehorse 'Archer', bred in Braidwood but trained at Terrara by Etienne de Mestre, won the first Melbourne Cup and repeated the feat the following year. Etienne had set up a stud, stables and race track at Terrara in his twenties and held unofficial races that were professionally handled and well-attended. Dave Power walked and rode 'Archer' the 550 miles to Melbourne in just over three weeks. In 1863 De Mestre was refused permission to enter the horse again due to a technicality. His acceptance telegram arrived just in time but, it being a public holiday in Melbourne, it was not delivered until the following day and was thus not accepted by the Victorian Turf Club. Incensed he did not enter another horse until 1867 when 'Tim Whiffler' won him the Cup again. De Mestre won two more Melbourne Cups, with 'Chester' in 1877 and 'Calamia' in 1878. His five wins were unmatched until Bart Cummings achieved the same feat in the 1970s. Enjoy a stroll around this historic area, and enjoy the Shoalhaven River scenery. Congratulations Moo&Woo on FTF!
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