Surgeon George Bass & Lieutenant Matthew Flinders

A ship, battered but unbowed, limped into Port Jackson in 1803. Aboard, a weary Matthew Flinders, having just completed the first circumnavigation of Australia. Right here in Melbourne, we celebrate the legacy of Flinders and his companion, Surgeon George Bass. The Surgeon George Bass & Lieutenant Matthew Flinders monument stands as a testament to their explorations. Flinders, inspired by “Robinson Crusoe,” joined the Navy at just 15. He quickly proved his skill, serving under the infamous Captain Bligh. Years later, stationed in Sydney, Flinders met George Bass. These two young men, barely in their twenties, embarked on daring expeditions in tiny boats, exploring Botany Bay, the Georges River, and even Lake Illawarra. Their most significant feat was the circumnavigation of Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania), proving it an island. The strait separating it from the mainland was rightfully named Bass Strait, honoring George Bass. Flinders, driven by a desire to map the unknown, and spurred by concerns of French claims, embarked on his greatest voyage. He meticulously charted the Australian coastline, enduring hardship and disease. He even encountered the French explorer Nicolas Baudin in Encounter Bay, a meeting of rivals in the vast unknown. Flinders’ journey aboard the Investigator was a testament to his navigational prowess. The ship, a repurposed collier, was hardly suited for such a journey. Yet, Flinders navigated treacherous waters, charting vast stretches of coastline, including parts of what would become Melbourne. Flinders’ meticulous maps were the first to accurately depict Australia as a single continent. He championed the name “Australia,” derived from “Terra Australis,” though it took some time for the name to gain official acceptance. The Surgeon George Bass & Lieutenant Matthew Flinders monument reminds us of their courage and contribution to our understanding of this vast land. Their explorations laid the foundation for modern Australia.