Perhaps you’ve wondered who this man is, whose bronze image stands before you? This is the Arthur Phillip Bust. It commemorates Captain Arthur Phillip. He was the first Governor of Australia. He founded Sydney.
The Arthur Phillip Bust has quite the history. It was originally unveiled on July 14, 1954. The unveiling was performed by Governor Lieutenant-General Sir John Northcott. The bust was erected by the Maritime Services Board of N.S.W. It was made in conjunction with the Royal Australian Historical Society.
The bust is a bronze sculpture. It sits on a dressed sandstone plinth. The front of the plinth bears an inscription. 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.”
The rear of the plinth has a brass plaque. This plaque has another inscription. It states that the memorial was erected by the Maritime Services Board of N.S.W. in conjunction with the Royal Australian Historical Society. It also mentions that the bust was sculpted by Mrs. Jean Hill. She was the daughter of Sir Edward Hallstrom. He donated the bust.
Jean Hill completed the sculpture in 1952 or 1953. Her daughter, Margaret Hill, remembers her mother working on it. Margaret even recalls adding a small piece of clay to the underside of the shoulder before the mold was created. This small ball made by Margaret can still be seen today, crafted in bronze.
For over twenty years, Jean Hill’s bust of Phillip stood at West Circular Quay. In 1980, it was relocated due to redevelopments. In 2010, it was disassembled. It was stored for safekeeping and restoration during the redevelopment of the MCA.
In August 2014, the Arthur Phillip Bust was unveiled again. This unveiling commemorated the bicentenary of Phillip’s death. It was moved to its current location. This location is significant. It’s the site of the first Government House.
The Arthur Phillip Bust now resides on First Government House Place. This is the forecourt of the Museum of Sydney. It stands to the left of the museum entry doors. It is close to the foundations of his house.
The museum uses the Arthur Phillip Bust to explore a critical moment in time. It looks at the participants involved. It examines how this moment reverberates through the years to today.
Take a moment to appreciate this memorial. It represents a pivotal figure in Australian history. It also stands as a testament to the artistic talent of Jean Hill. It reminds us of the generosity of Sir Edward Hallstrom. The Arthur Phillip Bust connects us to the past. It encourages reflection on the present and future.