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| Bourke and Wills Monument, Melbourne |
Reported in the Gippsland Times 22 April 1865
LATEST NEWS.
[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]
PRE GREVILLE AND BIRD (REUTER'S AGENTS.)
Melbourne, Yesterday, 21st April. The Bourke and Wills monument was inaugurated to-day by the Governor, in the presence of an immense concourse, who had assembled from all parts of the city and suburbs to witness the ceremony. The streets on both sides were lined by a brilliant display of military and volunteers, and the Governor was escorted to the platform amidst the firing of volleys of musketry; the Volunteer Bands performing meanwhile the National air of God Save the Queen. On the statue being unveiled, and the popular demonstrations somewhat subsided. His Excellency came forward and addressed the assemblage in a speech suited to the occasion. The address, which was admirably and forcibly delivered; penetrated far back into the history of Australian exploration; the speaker dating his remarks from no less a period than forty years ago. All the more prominent incidents connected with former explorations were passed in review, criticised and explained, and the explorers who conducted the enterprises referred to as being old and personal friends. From so distant a date the speaker brought his audience to the history of the expedition, the tragic end of which was the cause of their being assembled together on the present occasion. He recounted all the minutiæ of the details concerning the Burke and Wills expedition; the enterprise of the men who, in the face of such difficulties as they encountered in the desert, could yet manfully struggle forward, and the devotedness of the little band whom no danger could daunt, nor privation deter from the carrying out of their object, until they had successfully accomplished it. The Northern journey — to Carpentaria — the homeward return — the arrival at Cooper's Creek — the despair of finding themselves deserted, the sufferings and death of the two explores — the devotedness of King and his ultimate adventures amongst the savages were all graphically portrayed. His Excellency described the expedition as a brilliant and melancholy enterprise, and to King who stood near him, he paid a graceful tribute of thanks for the devotedness he had shown when difficulties were thickening around their path. His Excellency concluded a speech of half an hour's duration, by expressing a hope that the execution of the present great work of art by Mr. Summers would be conducive to the progress of art throughout the colony.
Mr. John King, who was received with much enthusiasm, briefly responded.
Sources:
- Latest News (1865, April 22). Gippsland Times (Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 3 (Morning.).
- Burke and Wills Monument, Melbourne; "Australia"; Edwin Carton Booth F.R.C.I. ; Illustrated: with drawings by (John) Skinner Prout, N. (Nicholas) Chevalier, &c. &c.; Volume: I ; 1873; Courtesy: The British Library
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