Monkerai, New South Wales

Monkerai is a large rural area located in the hills in the land between Dungog and Gloucester in Great Lakes Council, in the Hunter Region, New South Wales, Australia. Monkerai is traditionally timber and dairy country but in previous years has become grazing country.

Monkerai boasts the following attractions - a public hall and a historic bridge. It is surrounded by state forests and national parks, including the Black Bulga State Conservation Area.

Historic timber truss bridge in Monkerai

The historic Monkerai Bridge over Karuah River, located on the Weismantels-Dingadee Rd, Monkerai, is a timber truss bridge, completed in 1882, and is not open for traffic until it is repaired. "The Monkerai bridge is a rare and representative example of Old PWD timber truss road bridges, and is assessed as being Nationally significant, primarily on the basis of its technical and historical significance" The Monkerai Karuah River Bridge is featured in a short film, "Maintaining the Links"

In October 2015, a Roads and Maritime Services Spokesperson stated that the "Roads and Maritime Services has progressively been upgrading heritage timber bridges in the Hunter Region with Hinton and Dunmore Bridges already completed.

Current bridges programmed for upgrade include Middle Fallbrook and Brig O’Johnston Bridges. Monkerai Bridge is included in the upgrading program and will follow these bridges.

The upgraded bridge will meet current vehicle load standards, capable of carrying a 42.5 tonne semi-trailer or equivalent without significantly affecting the appearance of the bridge. The proposed upgrade will also ensure that its heritage aspects can be retained in line with the requirements of the Heritage Act.

Roads and Maritime will carry out community consultation on the proposed upgrade during the early planning and design stages of the project proposed to start next year [2016]."

Historical records of Monkerai

The Greville's Post Office Directory of 1872 lists the following details for Monkerai

"Distance 142 miles North of Sydney.
Mail closes at General Post Office Monday 5.30 p.m.
Mail arrives at Post Town Wednesday 5 p.m.
Mail leaves for Sydney Wednesday 10.30 a.m
Mail arrives at Sydney Saturday evenings.
Route Steam Raymod Terrace, coach Stroud, 15m. Mpnkerai; or via steam
Clarence Town, 18m. Monkerai."

SURNAME	CHRISTIAN	OCCUPATION	ADDRESS
BARKWILL	William	farmer	Monkerai
BUGG	James	farmer	Monkerai
COWAN	Colin	farmer	Monkerai
COWAN	Donald	farmer	Monkerai
FORBES	William	farmer	Monkerai
FROST	James	grazier	Monkerai
GRANT	Robert	farmer	Monkerai
HIGGINS	Peter	farmer	Monkerai
MINNES	Roderick	farmer	Monkerai
MRAE	Donald	farmer	Monkerai
MRAE	Elizabeth	farmer	Monkerai
MRAE	Malcolm	farmer	Monkerai
MARTIN	John	farmer	Monkerai
MARTIN	Richard	sawyer	Monkerai
MARTIN	William	farmer	Monkerai
MOORE	Edward	farmer	Monkerai
MOORE	John	labourer	Monkerai
MOORE	William	farmer	Monkerai
MOSS	Miles	teacher	Monkerai
MUDDLE	John	labourer	Monkerai
RELTON	James	farmer	Monkerai
TITCUME	George	farmer	Monkerai
TITCUME	William	farmer	Monkerai
TOMS	John	farmer	Monkerai
WILKINSON	James	farmer	Monkerai

The list shows 26 individuals or families residing officially in Monkerai in 1872.
There is a Moores Rd and Moores Creek in Monkerai, which may be connected to the Edward, John or William Moore listed.

The James Bugg listed is the father of Mary Ann Bugg who lived occasionally in the area and is mostly known for her time spent as a bushranger and her relationship with Captain Thunderbolt