John Ovens

Who was John Ovens?

John Ovens was an Irish-born soldier, civil engineer and explorer of Australia. He was aide-de-camp to Sir Thomas Brisbane, governor of New South Wales and explored the Murrumbidgee River and Monaro district with Capt. Mark Currie.

Ovens was born in St Catherine, Fermanagh, Ireland and joined the 73rd Regiment of Foot of the British Army in 1808. He travelled with the regiment in 1810 to the colony of New South Wales. He returned to England in October 1811 and soon transferred to the 74th Regiment of Foot under Thomas Brisbane. Ovens returned to New South Wales when Brisbane was appointed governor and was made acting chief engineer. In October 1825 Ovens assisted John Oxley to survey Twofold Bay. Brisbane employed Ovens as his private secretary and promoted him to major.