Despite doubts he ever cast eyes upon the snow grass plain that bears his name, Dr Andrew Gibson is synonymous with the founding of Kiandra and the loss of life in the snow during European’s first attempts to run stock in the Snowy Mountains during 1833-34.

A respected member of Sydney’s early society, physician to the governor, early settler and magistrate at Goulburn, Gibson was criticised in the press, attacked as a black guard in the streets of Sydney and described by Lady Jane Franklin as “a man about 40 . . pale . . gentlemanly . . in indifferent health .. seldom free from rheumatic pains in head — has taken great quantities to injurious excess, of laudanum, so as sometimes to seem stupefied”.

Be taken on a short exploration of his life or contrasts and destiny with Kiandra.