Ernie Bond

Ernie Bond, an osmiridium miner and bushman, who was sometimes called the Prince of Rasselas in reference to Samuel Johnson's book Rasselas, lived for 17 years at Gordonvale, his home in the Vale of Rasselas, Tasmania.

Early life Ernest Bond was born in Hobart, Tasmania, on 26 July 1891 to Frank Bond (1856–1931) and his wife, Sarah Emma Cowburn. His father was a bark-mill owner, property developer, and a politician, first in the House of Assembly (1903–1906) and the Legislative Council (1909–1921).

Adamsfield and the beginnings of Gordonvale In September 1927, Bond began working a mining lease at Adamsfield where he sought osmiridium. After seven years as a miner, in March 1934 he ventured into the Vale of Rasselas accompanied by Paddy Hartnett and eventually purchased 81 hectares of land at a place he named Gordonvale, 14 km north of Adamsfield. A homestead was built and part of the land was cleared for fruit and vegetable gardens. He grazed sheep (unsuccessfully), had cows for milk and butter, and kept bees for honey. In 1937 he began selling vegetables and jars of preserved fruit to the shops at Adamsfield. At times, he employed as many as six men to help with the work. Dad had a Vacola bottling outfit, and would preserve hundreds of bottles of raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries and blackcurrants. Then he’d carry them over to Adamsfield to sell, and he’d also make wonderful pies.

Leaving Gordonvale The loss of the bridge over the Gordon effectively severed Bond’s access to supplies, and because of his age (Bond was now in his sixties), carrying in supplies was no longer an option. He left Gordonvale in February 1952 with all his livestock – except for a bull which refused to cross the Gordon River.

Another reason for Bond's decision to leave Gordonvale was described in The Tasmanian Tramp:

Ernie Bond, host to may hundreds of walkers at his homestead "Gordonvale" in the Vale of Rasselas, has left his valley to live near Hobart at Austins Ferry on the Derwent. A period of ill-health in the winter of 1951 indicated to him that it would not be wise to continue with his hermit's existence. In the summer and early autumn of 1952, members from our club and the Launceston Walking Club assisted Ernie by packing out his personal goods to the Florentine.

Upon leaving Gordonvale, Bond gave a joint five-year lease to the Hobart Walking Club and the Launceston Walking Club. The clubs were to be responsible for the maintenance of the homestead buildings.