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Edmund Kennedy Print Page 
The monument commemorates explorer Edmund Kennedy. It was unveiled in 1948, the centenary year of the expedition.
In 1848 the Assistant-Surveyor of New South Wales, Edmund Kennedy, led an expedition to explore Cape York Peninsula. Arriving at Rockingham Bay (north of Townsville) in May, Kennedy`s party, after much privation and toil, reached Weymouth Bay, where they established a depot. Kennedy, with four others, Costigan, Dunn, Luff, and an aboriginal, Jacky Jacky, left this depot in an endeavour to reach Cape York, where a relief ship was expected. Kennedy and Jacky Jacky continued north, after leaving the others at Shelburne Bay.
Only Jacky Jacky reached Cape York, for in a skirmish with Aboriginals Kennedy was killed. Jacky Jacky guided the ship`s relief party to Shelburne Bay, but Costigan, Dunn, and Luff had perished. At the Weymouth Bay depot, only two survivors were found.
Mr. D. A. O'Brien, F.R.F.S.A., Director-General Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia (Queensland) writes: - Kennedy centenary celebrations closed on December 13, 1948 - the supposed date of his murder by aborigines at Escape River. Bronze plaques prepared by the SA branches of the society and sponsored by the Queensland branch were erected at Charleville, Cardwell, Kennedy, Tully, Cooktown and (Portland Roads),Weymouth Bay and one is prepared for its postponed erection at Escape River. The plaque at Weymouth Bay was paid for and erected by Mr. F. R. & D. Fisher,the one at Escape River will be paid for and erected by Mr. C. T. Holland and family of Lockerbie Station, in Cape York Peninsula. Both plaques were carried freight free by John Burke Ltd., shipping agents of South Brisbane. The fine patriotic spirit of these benefactors was supplemented by splendid co-operation from all the local authorities in the various centres. A special service was held in St James' Church on December 13, to honour Kennedy and Jacky Jacky. Jacky Jacky defended Kennedy until his death, buried him, saved two white members of the expedition and made known to the world the fate of the expedition.
Cairns Post (Qld.), 1 January 1949.
Location
| Address: | Esplanade, Portland Roads, 4871 |
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| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -12.595897 Long: 143.411838 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
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| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Exploration |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 13th November, 1948 |
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Edmund Besley Court Kennedy J. P.
On 13 November 1848 while exploring in Cape York Peninsula left Carron, Wall, Douglas, Niblet, Taylor, Carpenter, Goddard and Mitchell near the mouth of the Pascoe River and sought succour at Cape York.
En route he was fatally speared and 3 men died. Aborigine Jackey-Jackey sole survivor of advance party reached waiting ship "Ariel" which rescued survivors Carron and Goddard at Weymouth Bay on 30 December.
Unveiled 13 November 1948.
