Who was Black Charlie?

By this side of the Tasman Highway where it crests after driving northwards up the hill from Orielton and before reaching Runnymede, has long stood a sign proclaiming Black Charlies Opening and for many years a pair of boots hung down from the sign. Many people driving past have wondered: who was this Black Charlie? Was he Indigenous? Was he an early settler of the Runnymede area? If not, then who? We believe we have found the most credible candidate to date, although indisputable evidence is still lacking.