In Memory Of
James Bernard Hayes
Born 31st August 1857
Died 17th April 1868
Aged 10 years
A ten year old James Hayes / Smith was really the first tragedy of the Wonnangatta Station. It was when the two brothers James and Henry (Harry) were playing at pole-vaulting, using long thin saplings as poles, one of these poles snapped and went straight into James chest.
Oliver Smith managed to get him to the Sale Hospital where he died. His death was about six weeks after the accident.
He was interned in the Sale Cemetery under the name of James Smith. James died as a direct result of the accident, really becoming the first non-indigenous casualty of the Wonnangatta Station.