John Dent OAM detail the history of the Kerry Lodge bridge and probation station and follow the path to its re-discovery in 2018.. Kerry Lodge Bridge (or Strathroy or Spiky Bridge) was built by convict labour from 1834 to 1836 and remains in use. Only the Richmond Bridge (1825) and the Ross Bridge (also 1836) are older. Built using bluestone quarried near the bridge by convicts housed nearby. After being a Road Station and a Probation Station it became a convict hiring depot before falling out of use about 1847. The site subsequently became lost until the Launceston Historical Society Archaeology Group was formed in 2010 and after clearing, research and preliminary investigation archaeological digs under Professor Eleanor Casella were conducted at that site.
John Dent graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1979 with a Surveying degree, a profession he continues to practise. He has belonged to several historical societies; is President of the West Tamar Historical Society, past secretary of the Launceston Historical Society (LHS), chairman of the LHS Archaeology Group, a founding member of the Tasmanian Family History Society, a committee member of the Friends of the Launceston Mechanics Institute and has written articles and chapters for many publications. He has given many talks and tours on the early history of northern Tasmania. He was awarded an OAM in 2006 for service to the community, particularly through a range of historical, service and rural youth organisations and to surveying.