Speeches
Saturday, 13 July 2024
Service for interment of Matthew Flinders remains
It is my pleasure to join you today in Donington along with many fellow Australians, including the mayor of Port Lincoln on this extraordinary day.
As commander of the Investigator, Matthew Flinders circumnavigated the Australian mainland and created the first complete map of the continent on his third voyage which began in 1801.
Having extensively explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in 1802, he is of particular importance to our state.
In South Australia, Flinders is remembered for his sense of adventure, his innovations in navigation and cartography, his groundbreaking scientific work, his embrace of technology, and his consideration for his crew’s health and wellbeing.
His respectful engagement with our First Nations peoples still inspires, and his work and influence lives on in contemporary Australia.
Flinders’ intrepid spirit encourages South Australians to achieve their highest potential, encouraging intellectual and cultural curiosity, and fostering a global perspective.
Tens of thousands of South Australians are touched by Flinders’ memory every day.
They walk past the Flinders statue directly outside Government House in Adelaide, and another in Port Lincoln.
They study at Flinders University, receive treatment at Flinders Medical Centre, travel along Flinders Street and the Flinders Highway, or live in Flinders Park.
Young people facing behavioural challenges take part in Operation Flinders, hiking through the ancient land of the Flinders Ranges to get a new perspective on their lives.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting police horse Flinders, a member of South Australia Police’s mounted operations unit.
On behalf of all South Australians, I thank Flinders and his descendants for the role he played in the eventual settlement of South Australia, and the inspiring example he sets for us every day.
May he finally rest in peace surrounded by the wonderful people of Donington who have done so much to bring him home.