How about a story etched in bronze and stone? Here stands the Captain Arthur Phillip Monument Stone. It is a tribute to a man who shaped the destiny of Australia.
The Captain Arthur Phillip Monument Stone marks the spot where history began. Captain Arthur Phillip, a name synonymous with the First Fleet. He landed on these shores in 1788. He established the first British settlement.
Imagine the scene. January 26, 1788. The shores of Sydney Cove teemed with activity. Eleven ships had arrived after a long voyage. Among them was Captain Arthur Phillip. He was tasked with a monumental mission. He would establish a new colony.
The Captain Arthur Phillip Monument Stone commemorates this pivotal moment. It reminds us of the challenges and triumphs of early settlement. The monument features a bronze bust of Phillip. It sits atop a sandstone plinth.
Look closely at the inscription on the Captain Arthur Phillip Monument Stone. It reads. “Captain Arthur Phillip, R. N. In command of the ‘First Fleet’ landed on the shore of this cove on January 26, 1788 and established the first British settlement in Australia on February 7, 1788. The Royal Commission was read proclaiming Captain Phillip as Captain-General and Governor-In-Chief of New South Wales. R.A.H.S.” These words encapsulate Phillip’s significant role.
The Captain Arthur Phillip Monument Stone also bears another inscription on a brass plaque. This plaque acknowledges the Maritime Services Board of N.S.W. It also acknowledges the Royal Australian Historical Society. They erected the memorial. It also recognizes Mrs. Jean Hill. She sculpted the bust. Sir Edward Hallstrom, her father, generously donated it.
The bust’s journey is fascinating. Jean Hill completed it in 1952 or 1953. Her daughter, Margaret Hill, remembers the process. She recalls adding a small clay ball to the shoulder of the bust. This tiny ball, made by a four-year-old, is still visible in the bronze.
Originally, the Captain Arthur Phillip Monument Stone stood in front of the Maritime Services Building. This building now houses the Museum of Contemporary Art. In 2014, it was relocated to First Government House Place. This is outside the Museum of Sydney.
The unveiling ceremony on August 28, 2014 marked the bicentenary of Phillip’s death. Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Dame Marie Bashir unveiled it. She commemorated Admiral Arthur Phillip’s legacy.
The Captain Arthur Phillip Monument Stone now stands on the site of the first Government House. This location is significant. It connects Phillip’s home and office. It also has a high profile location with good public access. It allows museum-goers and schoolchildren to learn. They learn about the First Fleet voyage and Phillip’s time as Governor.
The monument’s restoration involved detailed conservation work. This work included cleaning, repainting the inscription, and applying a protective coating. The Friends of The First Government House Site and the Kathleen Hooke Memorial Trust funded this work.
The Captain Arthur Phillip Monument Stone invites contemplation. It sits near the foundations of his house. It is in conversation with the Edge of the Trees sculpture. It is a reminder of the first contact between the Gadigal people and the Europeans. This moment continues to resonate today.
So, as you stand before the Captain Arthur Phillip Monument Stone, consider its story. Reflect on the past. Acknowledge the present. Consider the future shaped by these events.