Parramatta Riverboat, looking towards Queen's wharf
In 1919 W. S. Campbell, a Parramatta resident for many years, gave a wonderful talk to the Royal Australian Historical Society recounting his early memories of life on the Parramatta
River in the mid-1800s. The account begins with his first trip up the river in early
1848 with his father Dr. F. Campbell who at this time was in charge of the
Lunatic Asylum at 'Tarban Creek', a small community made up of a few houses
scattered around the asylum. Most of these were occupied by officials and the little
hamlet close to Parramatta contained no more than 20 houses.
