97km from Balranald on the Balranald/Ivanhoe Road is the tiny village of Hatfield.

Every year the Hatfield Recreation Hall comes alive with various community events. Each year the Balranald Isolated Children's Parents’ Association stage an event called the Hatfield Happening in the Hatfield Recreation Hall. It is a High Tea event for the ladies, though men are welcomed, with funds raised going towards a particular charity or cause.

The team from The Riverine Grazier and Back Country Bulletin made the journey to Hatfield Happening, and were floored by the amazing time everyone had.

Inspirational speakers, such as Bree Wakefield from the area, regaled the crowd with their stories of adversity and living on the land. You can read Bree’s story in the Community section in the Back Country Bulletin app.

The old pub, once a thriving hotel and coach stop, is now abandoned. It’s isolated out there, with roads not often travelled, heat unforgiving in the summer. The place is a true example of the simultaneous harshness and beauty of the Australian outback.

Looking up and down the road, it sparks one’s imagination. You can almost see a group of Bushrangers galloping along the flat terrain on their horses, evading the authorities.

In 1879, a gang of four young men, called the Hatfield Bushrangers had been on the spree at a roadside inn, on the Wilcannia Road. The information of their antics was discovered in an article from The Telegraph, from Tue 4 Mar 1879.

The Balranald bailiff had been serving summonses for the district court was pulled up at this inn, the Hatfield hotel, on his way home.

Once he got off his horse, he was ordered by two of the gang to bail up, and surrender his horses.

The bailiff thought the men were joking, especially as he was slightly acquainted with one of them. They soon proved him serious by levelling their revolvers at his head.

He then gave them the reins of the horses, at the same time remarking that they would not be much use to them, as they were quite exhausted already from a long journey.

One of the men replied, “Never mind, we must have them to start with.”

The bailiff discovered the pub was held up by two other members of the gang.

The patrons of the pub were confined in a room with the bailiff, and Mr. Grainger, store owner and publican.

Two of the gang then went back to Grainger's store, taking firearms and ammunition. They searched the house for money, but got very little.

The gang taunted Mrs. Grainger, telling her they stole her fowls some time before and would take whatever else they wanted.

They then helped themselves to clothes, and other items. The gang returned to the hotel, and made Mr Grainger shout round for everyone in the establishment.

Here they stayed, chatting with their prisoners until evening, when they mounted their horses, and rode off in the direction of Till Till station.

As soon as they had gone, the bailiff obtained a horse.

Galloping all night, he reached Balranald early on Sunday morning, and reported the happenings to authorities.

As for the gang, they had headed towards Til Til station.

They came across a member of the Hartshorne family, and demanded his horse.

When he refused and hurtled off on his steed, the marauders opened fire; one shot connecting with his saddle but Hartshorne and his horse were uninjured.

Authorities were alerted.

First-class Constable Beresford, Constable Power, and Special Constable Day, were police officers from Moulamein who were on duty at Balranald.

The trio headed out on Sunday morning, and overtook the bushrangers after riding 180 miles, over a day and a half ride.

Enlisting the assistance of First Nations trackers from Clare, they followed their tracks to Kilfera station, where the manager, Mr Casey provided the best horses on the station.

Mr Casey rode with the police. The group found the gang camped, preparing supper near two small trees.

First-class Constable Beresford, Special Constable Day and Constable Power, on an engraving artwork titled The captors of the Hatfield Bushrangers: Constables Beresford and Power and Mr. Day, by unknown artist.

“Bail up!” The Bushrangers yelled at the posse.

“Surrender in the Queen’s name!” The police countered.

The gang fired twice at the police without effect.

Police promptly returned the fire, when Constable Power's horse became scared and broke away.

The Constable jumped on Mr Casey's horse, and rejoining the troopers, again covered the bushrangers, who were now trying to escape.

Several shots were then exchanged before police surrounded the gang.

The bushrangers threw up their arms and surrendered.

Capture of the Hatfield Gang of Bushrangers, an engraving artwork by Arthur Collingridge de Tourcey.

Police took their weapons, handcuffed the criminals, and took them to Kilfera station. Their career as bushrangers lasted a mere four days.

The gang were taken to Balranald Gaol.

“We have been expecting the Kellys here for some time, so that, what with the local bushrangers and the prospects of a visit from the Mansfield desperadoes, there is great excitement in the district,” the article concluded.

Amongst the charges the gang faced was a capital charge of wounding with intent to murder.

At their court hearing, the jury heard the gang were impersonating the Kelly gang during their antics around the district, and had threatened to take lives of many of their victims.

The jury, after retiring for three minutes, returned a verdict of guilty against all the bushrangers, and recommended Hobbs to mercy, as he was a ‘cripple’. 

Thomas Gorman, born in 1858, a stockman and the believed ring leader, was sentenced to 21 years hard labour. Gorman had lamented at the trial his only regret when taking aim at Constable Powers was that his shot was not fatal.

According to the historical sign erected to remember the Hatfield Bushrangers in Ivanhoe, the gang were all condemned to death.

Mr Casey was awarded a six-barrel revolver in recognition of his actions leading to the criminals’ arrests.