REPORT: THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF
THE PIONEER FIRST FLEETERS MEMORIAL
Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park & Cemetery,
12 Military Road, Matraville, NSW 2036.
Date: 13th May 2016
The cemetery is also home to Pioneer Memorial Park, a heritage listed landmark of NSW, where memorials of early pioneers and prominent citizens of the colony of New South Wales still stand today due to the dedicated effort of Fred W. Read and fellow Botany Cemetery Trustees who created Pioneer Park in 1976.
The Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park (ESMP) team has completed the construction of the amazing First Fleeters Memorial - Memorials of Early Pioneers and at no cost to the Fellowship of First Fleeters. On 13th May, the exact day that the First Fleet departed from Portsmouth, England, on their epic journey to settle in a new land 229 years ago, the official opening was held on a bright sunny day at Pioneer Park, a sub-section of ESMP.
The design is unique and very appropriate, its elements creating the outline of a ship, relative in size to the smallest ship of the First Fleet, HMS Friendship. Around the perimeter are granite panels etched with the 11 ships of the First Fleet, each listing those who sailed with the Fleet. Admiral Arthur Phillip is seated on a granite bench at the “stern of the Friendship” along with one of his greyhounds, Chara, that he brought with him on the voyage. At the bow is a standing statue of Captain James Cook heralding his discovery of the east coast of Australia. A full size granite replica of the anchor of the HMS Sirius is also featured together with a ship’s wheel, the centre of which is a map showing the route of the First Fleet. The area was newly-turfed, the gardens well-tended – a delightful place in which to witness the officiating ceremony.
M.C. Rod Best, Fellowship board member, introduced Aunty Barbara Simms-Keeley from the Bidjigal People of La Perouse, who gave an inspiring Welcome to Country, encouraging the philosophy of “looking forward together”. She then led the symbolic Release of Butterflies. A hearty rendition of the national anthem was then sung. Official addresses were made, followed by Guest Speaker, FFF President Jon Fearon, whose delivery was very enlightening to those who are not fully aware of the First Fleet and the role of Admiral Arthur Phillip. Five descendants of First Fleeters then presented a snapshot of their forebear. Joy Zamiatin was our Chapter’s representative and she gave an excellent talk about the exploits of James Squires with some very humorous incidents – it was very well received.
“I am Australian” by the Seekers was broadcast accompanied by some toe-tapping and audience participation.
The Honourable Mark Speakman, Minister for the Environment and Heritage gave the official address, at the end of which he revealed that he has five First Fleeters in his family, one of which is James Squires – and to everyone’s delight he finished with a friendly “Hello Cousin” to Joy Zamiatin. We are not sure who signed him up for the Fellowship!!
Rod Best then did the Reading (written by John Newton, author of Amazing Grace for the Reverend Richard Johnson before he sailed with the First Fleet in 1787):
Going to Botany Bay
The Lord who send thee hence will be thine aid;
In vain at thee the Lion, Danger roars;
His arm and love shall keep thee undismayed
On tempest toss-ed, and on savage shores.
Go, bear the Saviour’s name to lands unknown,
Tell to the southern world His wondrous grace;
And energy divine thy words shall own
And draw their untaught hearts to see His face.
Many in quest of gold of empty fame
Would compass earth, or venture near the poles;
But how much nobler thy reward and aim –
To spread His praise and win immortal souls.
Final Prayer and Blessing was delivered by Bishop Ray Smith of Church Hill Anglican Church (St Philip’s), York Street, Sydney, which holds in its care Reverend Richard Johnson’s original Bible and Prayer Book. Replicas can be viewed if requested in advance.
It was a most moving and memorable ceremony, a one-off opportunity to honour our First Fleeters and one we would not have wanted to miss. Those from our Chapter were delighted to be in attendance.
Note: Arthur Stace, known in Sydney as Mr Eternity, is buried at the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park & Cemetery. He was famous for his practice of writing the word Eternity all over Sydney during the fifties and sixties. His signature could well be applied to the research of ancestral history.
© Arthur Phillip Chapter of Fellowship of First Fleeters 2023 -
REPORT: THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF
THE PIONEER FIRST FLEETERS MEMORIAL
Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park & Cemetery,
12 Military Road, Matraville, NSW 2036.
Date: 13th May 2016
The cemetery is also home to Pioneer Memorial Park, a heritage listed landmark of NSW, where memorials of early pioneers and prominent citizens of the colony of New South Wales still stand today due to the dedicated effort of Fred W. Read and fellow Botany Cemetery Trustees who created Pioneer Park in 1976.
The Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park (ESMP) team has completed the construction of the amazing First Fleeters Memorial - Memorials of Early Pioneers and at no cost to the Fellowship of First Fleeters. On 13th May, the exact day that the First Fleet departed from Portsmouth, England, on their epic journey to settle in a new land 229 years ago, the official opening was held on a bright sunny day at Pioneer Park, a sub-section of ESMP.
The design is unique and very appropriate, its elements creating the outline of a ship, relative in size to the smallest ship of the First Fleet, HMS Friendship. Around the perimeter are granite panels etched with the 11 ships of the First Fleet, each listing those who sailed with the Fleet. Admiral Arthur Phillip is seated on a granite bench at the “stern of the Friendship” along with one of his greyhounds, Chara, that he brought with him on the voyage. At the bow is a standing statue of Captain James Cook heralding his discovery of the east coast of Australia. A full size granite replica of the anchor of the HMS Sirius is also featured together with a ship’s wheel, the centre of which is a map showing the route of the First Fleet. The area was newly-turfed, the gardens well-tended – a delightful place in which to witness the officiating ceremony.
M.C. Rod Best, Fellowship board member, introduced Aunty Barbara Simms-Keeley from the Bidjigal People of La Perouse, who gave an inspiring Welcome to Country, encouraging the philosophy of “looking forward together”. She then led the symbolic Release of Butterflies. A hearty rendition of the national anthem was then sung. Official addresses were made, followed by Guest Speaker, FFF President Jon Fearon, whose delivery was very enlightening to those who are not fully aware of the First Fleet and the role of Admiral Arthur Phillip. Five descendants of First Fleeters then presented a snapshot of their forebear. Joy Zamiatin was our Chapter’s representative and she gave an excellent talk about the exploits of James Squires with some very humorous incidents – it was very well received.
“I am Australian” by the Seekers was broadcast accompanied by some toe-tapping and audience participation.
The Honourable Mark Speakman, Minister for the Environment and Heritage gave the official address, at the end of which he revealed that he has five First Fleeters in his family, one of which is James Squires – and to everyone’s delight he finished with a friendly “Hello Cousin” to Joy Zamiatin. We are not sure who signed him up for the Fellowship!!
Rod Best then did the Reading (written by John Newton, author of Amazing Grace for the Reverend Richard Johnson before he sailed with the First Fleet in 1787):
Going to Botany Bay
The Lord who send thee hence will be thine aid;
In vain at thee the Lion, Danger roars;
His arm and love shall keep thee undismayed
On tempest toss-ed, and on savage shores.
Go, bear the Saviour’s name to lands unknown,
Tell to the southern world His wondrous grace;
And energy divine thy words shall own
And draw their untaught hearts to see His face.
Many in quest of gold of empty fame
Would compass earth, or venture near the poles;
But how much nobler thy reward and aim –
To spread His praise and win immortal souls.
Final Prayer and Blessing was delivered by Bishop Ray Smith of Church Hill Anglican Church (St Philip’s), York Street, Sydney, which holds in its care Reverend Richard Johnson’s original Bible and Prayer Book. Replicas can be viewed if requested in advance.
It was a most moving and memorable ceremony, a one-off opportunity to honour our First Fleeters and one we would not have wanted to miss. Those from our Chapter were delighted to be in attendance.
Note: Arthur Stace, known in Sydney as Mr Eternity, is buried at the Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park & Cemetery. He was famous for his practice of writing the word Eternity all over Sydney during the fifties and sixties. His signature could well be applied to the research of ancestral history.
© Arthur Phillip Chapter of Fellowship of First Fleeters 2023 -