In case you were wondering where the name for our company came from, here's a quick history lesson!
The Ribbon Gang were a group of bushrangers that roamed the Bathurst area (where our candles are now made) nearly 200 years ago.
It was started by a convict named Ralph Entwistle who was assigned to work on a farm in the Bathurst area. One summer's day in 1829, he and another servant were returning from a trip to Sydney on behalf of the squatter they worked for when they decided to stop for a skinny dip in the Macquarie River. Unfortunately the Governor was touring the area at the time and although he didn't see the nude swimming, the convicts were arrested for their behaviour and sentenced to a public flogging of 50 lashes.
MACQUARIE RIVER, BATHURST
Entwistle, resentful of this perceived injustice, soon turned to bushranging. He and other convicts began raiding farms in the area, stealing from the properties and acquiring new members as the convicts from these farms joined the gang which eventually grew to around 80 men.
The gang wasn't able to exact revenge on the magistrate who sentenced Entwistle to the public flogging as he wasn't at home when they arrived at his property but they killed his overseer. This murder bolstered the group of troopers who sought to end the rebellion.
Over the next several months, the gang continued to roam the area and several gunfights took place between them and the troopers, volunteers, police and even British Army soldiers who were intent on capturing the men.
Over time, gang members dispersed or surrendered and the group was depleted. Eventually Entwistle was arrested and the rebellion was over. He and five of the gang were convicted of the murder of the magistrate's overseer while the remaining four gang members were convicted of plundering farmhouses. All ten men were sentenced to death.
RIBBON GANG LANE, BATHURST
They were hanged in a public execution in Bathurst on 2 November, 1830 on the site now known as Ribbon Gang Lane, a short walk from where we pour our Ribbon Gang Co. candles today.
As for the gang's name, they were called the Ribbon Gang on account of the fact that Ralph Entwistle was said to wear white streamers about his head. 🎀