Owen Daly (1818-1898)

One of the last convicts transported to New South Wales before transportation was suspended was Owen Daly.

Owen was assigned to the Plough Station where he worked as a stockman. He received a Ticket of Leave in 1846 and he received a Conditional Pardon on 1 April 1851 at the age of 33.

In 1866, Owen purchased 66 acres of land at Bundanba Lagoon. After his marriage in 1856 to Susan McGuire, the couple lived in Ipswich before moving to their property at Bundanba Lagoon. Owen purchased an additional 160 acres of land at the lagoon in 1871.

Journalist 'Red Gum' wrote about his visit to Owen Daly in November 1895 at Ten Mile Swamp also known as Daly's Lagoons. He said

"Among the keen sportsmen of other days - the 'knights of the trigger' - the name of Mr. Owen Daly, of Upper Bundanba, was a household word. Lovers of wild sport were hospitably entertained at this hands, receiving at all times the utmost attention and kindness - it did not matter whether they were duck-shooting or kangaroo hunting. On the occasion of my visit, the famous lagoons seemed like an oasis in the surroundings, and were literally alive with game, ducks especially".

Owen Daly is buried in the Roman Catholic B section of the Ipswich General Cemetery.