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George Bass & Matthew FlindersPrint Page 
The monument commemorates George Bass for his exploration and naming of Western Port, and Bass and Matthew Flinders for their successful voyage in the sloop Norfolk in 1798 through the Bass Strait and around Tasmania.
It was unveiled in 1912 by Governor Sir John Fuller, with Captain Chambers, RN, Mr. F. Tate (Director of Education), and Mr M. M. Phillips (President of the Australian Natives Association).
Doctor James Barrett expressed hope that the memorial would be ultimately replaced by an artistic monument more worthy of those gallant spirits whom they were honouring.
A re-enactment of the discovery and naming of Westernport Bay by Bass took place in 1998.
Colonel Watson has prepared plans and specifications for the memorial to be erected at Flinders, Westernport (Vic), in memory of Bass and Flinders. The memorial consists of a stone pyramid, 20ft. high, on which is to be placed a tablet containing references to the famous voyages of Bass and Flinders. A detailed description of these voyages will be kept in the local library and State school, together with a map specially prepared showing the routes.
Daily News (Perth), 15 April 1912.
Location
| Address: | The Esplanade & Cook Street, Flinders, 3929 |
|---|---|
| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -38.474719 Long: 145.023854 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Exploration |
| Approx. Event Start Date: | 1798 |
| Approx. Event End Date: | 1798 |
| Designer: | Colonel Watson |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | 1912 |
|---|
IN COMMEMORATION OF
The Discovery And Naming Of Western Port
— By —
SURGEON GEORGE BASS
January 4, 1798.
And The Passage Of Bass Strait, The Same Year By Him And
Lieut. MATTHEW FLINDERS
(Both Of HMS Reliance)
Erected By The People Of Flinders
Assisted By The National Parks Association
— 1912 —
Plaque :
IN RECOGNITION OF A BRAVE ADVENTURE
On January 5, 1998
five men
Bert Cuthbertson (skipper), Tom O`Byrne (First Mate),
Craig Dixon, Rick McMahon and Geoff Zwar
landed in Flinders after four weeks at sea
having rowed and sailed from Darling Harbour Sydney
in the `Elizabeth`, a nine metre whale boat.
This voyage re-enacted the discovery and naming of Western Port by
Royal Navy surgeon George Bass and his crew of five in 1798.
Unveiled by Councillor David G. Jarman
Mayor of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Erected by the Bass Re-enactment Committee
Sir Peter Derham, CScJ, Chairman
