One of Australia 's best known poets , A.B. ` Banjo ' Paterson came to the area with his family in 1871 . He was only 7 and spent his childhood in the district , near Binalong . One of Australia 's best-known poets , A.B. ` Banjo ' Paterson arrived in the district in 1871 aged 7 , passed his childhood in the district and later bought a property in the Wee Jasper area so that his children could experience country life .