It all started in November 1829 when Ralph Entwistle and another prisoner on returning from the task of taking a load of Merino wool to the Sydney markets for their master, stopped by the Macquarie River at Bathurst and went for a dip in the river. They did this in the nude and by a very unfortunate circumstance their dip coincided with a visit to the town by the Colonial Governor. The two were spotted by the military escort to the Governor and arrested, they were charged with causing affront to the Governor. Ralph Entwistle and his fellow convict received a public flogging of 50 lashes each.
Read the full details here: The Ribbon Gang​
