NSW: Grave diggers attack Lawson's tomb

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2001
NSW: Grave diggers attack Lawson's tomb

The grave of one of Australia's best-known explorers is under the watch of a caretaker
and laser beam security because of grave robbers.

The Daily Telegraph says the family vault of Blue Mountains explorer WILLIAM LAWSON
is near collapse because of attempts by grave diggers to get inside the tomb at Prospect
in Sydney's west.

Historians and LAWSON's descendants reject rumours that the explorer was buried with a treasure.

Blacktown City Council has put up razor wire around the tomb and other historic graves
after a spate of vandal attacks.

JENNY UTTLEY says she is disgusted at the treatment of her ancestor's tomb and there
is certainly no hidden treasure.





In 1813, LAWSON and fellow explorers BLAXLAND and WENTWORTH were the first Europeans
to successfully cross the Blue Mountains.

AAP RTV gmw/jh

KEYWORD: LAWSON (SYDNEY)

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