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E. G. Waterhouse National Camellia GardensPrint Page Print this page

Plaque Inscription : 14-April-2015
Plaque Inscription : 14-April-2015

Photographs supplied by Peter F Williams

The E. G. Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens were established by the Sutherland Shire Council in co-operation with the Australian Camellia Research Society and the Sutherland Shire Orchid Society to commemorate the bicentenary of Captain Cook's landing at Kurnell in 1770.

The garden was named after Professor E.G. Waterhouse an acknowledged world authority on the camellia. The first plantings in the garden commenced in 1969. 

Kurnell is considered to be ‘the birthplace of modern Australia’, as it is the place where Captain James Cook landed on 29 April 1770, making first contact with the original inhabitants of the area, the Gweagal Aborigines whilst navigating his way up the East Coast of Australia on Endeavour. Captain Cook along with his crew stayed at Kurnell for a period of eight days. During their visit they collected botanical specimens, mapped the area and tried to make contact (unsuccessfully) with the indigenous population. When Cook reported back to England he said that the land was suitable for agriculture and was lightly wooded.

Captain James Cook claimed the whole of the east coast of Australia for Great Britain on 22 August 1770, naming eastern Australia, 'New South Wales.'

 

Location

Address:President Avenue & Kareena Road, E. G. Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens, Caringbah South, 2229
State:NSW
Area:AUS
GPS Coordinates:Lat: -34.042147
Long: 151.11212
Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.
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Details

Monument Type:Garden
Monument Theme:Landscape
Sub-Theme:Exploration
Approx. Event Start Date:1770
Approx. Event End Date:1970

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:Saturday 18th July, 1970
Front Inscription

           E. G. WATERHOUSE
NATIONAL CAMELLIA  GARDEN

           Constructed By
The Sutherland Shire Council
       In Co-Operation With 
The Australian Camellia Research Society 
The Sutherland Shire Orchid Society
To Commemorate The Bi-Centenary Of 
Captain James Cooks Landing At Kurnell
         And Named After 
Professor E. G. Waterhouse
An Acknowledged World Authority On The Camellia
THIS GARDEN WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY
            LADY BUTLER
Wife Of The Governor Of New South Wales
ON THE 18th JULY, 1970

 

Source: MA
Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au