Wedderburn - Lonely Grave of Thomas Whyte
The grave holds the remains of Thomas Whyte, a Scot who came to Australia in search of a future for his family and was a miner during the 1850s gold rush.
How he came to arrive in Wedderburn is not really known as he originally had a shop in Collins Street in Melbourne. When you read of his history, it could well be very typical of many of the miners who came to Wedderburn in search of their fortune.
Several of the letters from Thomas Whyte to his family in Edinburgh have been preserved. You can read the letterswhich provide an interesting history of the man and how he came to Australia.
The grave is located along Bernarra Street. Head north along Tantalla Street and then go left at the Y intersection and keep following the road (Bernarra Street) even when it turns to dirt and you will come across the site.
There is an information sign next to the grave which reads:
Thomas Whyte - Miner
Thomas arrived in Melbourne during September 1850 and become a shopkeeper at 6 Collins Street presumably selling gift-ware including clocks, jewellery and smokers' pipes which his brother shipped out to him.
From letters he wrote to his wife, 2 children, his sisters and brother in Edinburgh the business was suffering because of the exodus of people going to the gold rushes at Bathurst, Ballarat and Bendigo.
It was not known when Thomas reached Wedderburn but it is known that his grave was dug very close to his tent.
William Cosh signed an Affidavit in the presence of Hal Webster JP which stated that he noticed Mr. Whyte was ailing and passed away on July 21, 1855, he was buried the next day with the help of Richard Donaldson and William Martin.
The Affidavit also contained the observation that Mr. Whyte was 5 ft 7 inches tall, had a ruddy complexion and a prominent nose.
Location
Bernarra Street, Wedderburn 3518 Map
