Dr. Bland — Duelling Surgeon and Patriot
Most people in the Young district and surrounding areas have heard of the region called “The Bland”, but most would not know where the name was derived from. The Bland is roughly west of Bribbaree and in the Barmedman, Quandialla and West Wyalong area. It is a dry flat plains type land originally given the name “The Levels” by the early explorers led by Surveyor-General Major Mitchell. James White, the first European to settle at Burrangong, selected 50,000 acres on what was to be become known as the Bland. White’s selection was called “Curraburrama”. The Regan family, from the Goulburn area, selected land on “The Levels” in 1835. William Regan, who owned “Grabben Gullen”, decided to move west to secure more land, but before he could do so he fell ill with pneumonia and died. Mrs. Harriet Regan carried out her husband’s plans and named her selection “The Bland” after Dr. Bland, her friend and medical doctor.
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William Bland was the son of a London doctor and became a surgeon in the Royal Navy. His career in the Royal Navy ended in 1812 in Bombay, India, when Bland killed a fellow officer in a duel. Bland was sentenced to seven years servitude and was transported to New South Wales.
He quickly distinguished himself by fearlessly denouncing the misdeeds of the Government officers of the day. Of course he thereby incurred the usual amount of animosity, but they could not stifle his eloquent voice or powerful pen.
Dr. Bland is considered to be the father of the Sydney Benevolent Asylum, which he founded, almost single-handed. Bland provided honorary service to Sydney Hospital and the Benevolent Society.
In 1818 he suffered imprisonment for his endeavours to check the arbitrary powers of the Government of the day, and was treated almost as a felon, though what he did now would be considered a virtue. That event, by its influence introduced great changes ,and contributed much to the progress of political freedom in the country.
Dr. Bland was eventually elected to State representation as one of the first members for Sydney. Dr. Bland was elected in conjunction with Mr. Wentworth to the first Representative Parliament in Australia, the Legislative Council of New South Wales. This election was very hotly contested, and the venerable gentleman was injured during a scrimmage which took place on the hustings. Under the new Constitution Dr. Bland was nominated for a seat in the Upper House, which he retained until he was forced to resign because of the state of his personal financial affairs. In July 1857 a public meeting was called in Sydney for the purpose of raising a fund bearing the name of “ The Australian National Tribute to Dr. Bland”. On the morning of the 21st September,1868 Dr. Bland passed away at the age of seventy-nine. Unlike W.C. Wentworth, he had not tried to establish a Colonial Peerage (“a Bunyip Aristocracy”).
Sources; Illustrated Sydney News, 7 August,1868. Illawarra Mercury, 21 September,1857. Duelling Surgeon by Robert Lehane.
Young Historical Society Inc.– Brian James.
