MARSFIELD. N.S.W.

How did it get it's name ?

July 25th. -1868 - A strange craft flew over Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It landed and a local surveyor, Robert McNamara, ( Picture above) was invited to board this incredible flying machine by its strange pilot. (Marsfield -Sydney-N.S.W). - Named after the incident that occurred near the present day Macquarie University site, on the other side of what is now Epping Road. Originally called "The Field of Mars" but changed to "Marsfield" in 1892. There were marks on the ground where the UFO landed. - 4 Burn marks...with circles...the circles remained for many years after the incident. Locals talked of the incident up till the mid 1900's..however since this happened nearly 140 years ago there are now no witnesses to the event and only family members of the eyewitnesses remain. The suburb was originally named "The Field of Mars" by Governor Phillip ( of the Australian state of New South Wales ) in 1792 - 4 years after the British landed in Sydney at Botany Bay and declared Australia in the name of the British Empire. The area was Bushland bordered by two rivers ( Now called the Lane Cove River and the Parramatta River ) There is - even today - a marked difference of opinion as to WHAT the "Field of Mars" was named after. There are THREE common theories - (1) named after the Roman god of Mars - in recognition of the Military background of the British Marines who were given title to the land by Governor Phillip (2) named after the Roman "Campus MARitius" (also Military) and (3) named after the French Champ de MARS (in Paris) (also Military). It is noted that the area in the days of Governor Phillip was considered "Haunted" and as such there was a reluctance to inhabit the area.

(Note from Phil ) - It has been established that UFO's ( Aliens - if you want to call them that ) - Have been visiting Earth for several Thousand years. It's quite possible that the area we now know today as Marsfield - has been visited by beings from another planet to "mine" minerals that they take to their planet. It's been confirmed that Minerals from Earth have been taken away by "other powers"(see link) that have not been recognised here on Earth. This has been going on BEFORE the British arrival on Australian soil in 1788.- This may explain the "Haunted" nature of the place - "Marsfield" - Several British Marines stepped forward and told Governor Phillip they were willing to accept the parcel of land as a grant. There is no record of what happened to Robert McNamara, the family moved from the area to the north coast some years after the incident and attempts to trace them have failed. For a long time (after 1868) the area remained virtually deserted, the incident frightening people away from living there.

(Above) Picture was taken in 1868 by Horace Hackenbacker of Ryde. His family are convinced that it was taken over Marsfield, NSW. in 1868. We can only go by the family's assertion that this is an actual shot of the UFO. George ( the last remaining member of the Hackenbacker family ) is certain that Horace saw the UFO land at Marsfield. Now 97 years old George Hackenbacker has gone on record to say " There is something that I cannot explain - I really believe that there is something beyond our understanding."

Sadly I have to report that George Hackenbacker has passed away on the 30th March 2006.

He was the last living member of his family.

It was not till 1892 that the area was officially named "Marsfield" and in 1922 a part of it became part of the Municipality of Eastwood. ( An adjoining Sydney Suburb.) In 1949 It became a part of the Municipality of Ryde ( another adjoining Sydney Suburb.) Only time has diminished the reality of this story. The circumstances of "UFO's" was unspeakable in the 1700's - And considered the sign of madness in the 1800's and even today a lot of people refuse to acknowledge the truth. Marsfield remains even TODAY a Mystery.

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