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Home , Arthur Phillip, Dawes Point Battery, Museum of Sydney

Mark Goggin, Director of the Historic Houses Trust of , : Rob Stokes MP, Minister for NSW, said: “Our special program of events celebrates Heritage today announced a program of special events, the life and work of Governor and invites led by the Historic Houses Trust of NSW, to mark the people of all ages to gain insight into the significant Bicentenary of the death of Governor Arthur Phillip on contribution he made to the early colony that has 31 August 1814. shaped the modern nation of Australia.” One of the founders of modern Australia, Governor A memorial bronze bust of Governor Phillip will be Phillip was the Commander of the and first installed on First Government House Place at the Governor of . in a free public event at 11.30am on “Governor Phillip made an outstanding contribution to Thursday 28 August. Sculpted by Jean Hill in 1952 and New South Wales and this Bicentenary is an originally located in First Fleet Park before being moved appropriate moment for the Government to into storage during the renovations of the Museum of commemorate his achievements through a program of Contemporary Art Australia. Sydney Harbour Foreshore events across our cultural institutions and gardens.” Authority has recently undertaken conservation work on said Mr Stokes. the bust. The installation of the bust has been supported with a gift from the Friends of The First The commemorative program includes the installation Government House Site and the Kathleen Hooke of a Phillip memorial bust on First Government House Memorial Trust. Place, the forecourt of Museum of Sydney, a dedicated symposium exploring the life and legacy of Governor On 5 September, the Historic Houses Trust will host a Phillip, a series of daily tours at the Museum of Sydney, full-day symposium inspired by the life and work of talks and collection displays at the State Library and Governor Phillip at the Museum of Sydney. Showcasing Royal Botanic Gardens, and special tours of Sydney the work of some of Australia’s most significant scholars Cove and River. of colonial history including Michael Pembroke, Associate Professor Grace Karskens and Andrew Tink, This announcement comes on the eve of an official OAM, the symposium will explore Phillip’s contribution commemoration, marking the death of Governor Phillip to modern Australia. at ’s on Wednesday 9 July. At this service a memorial stone will be dedicated to Arthur Phillip RN in the presence of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and attended by Her Excellency Professor The Hon Dame AD CVO, Governor of NSW.

From July onwards, new daily half-hour tours at the About Governor Phillip Museum of Sydney offer fresh insights into Governor Born in London, Arthur Phillip (1738-1814) was the Phillip’s story. The tour, entitled A Good Foundation: Commander of the First Fleet and first Governor of New Phillip’s House, guides visitors around the foundations South Wales. Phillip founded the Colony of New South of what was once the most prominent building in the Wales in 1788 marking the beginning of the modern colony. Visitors will learn that the house was a nation of Australia. He introduced the rule of law and significant meeting place between Gadigal people and established the first penal settlement and colony at Europeans and discover some of the important events Sydney Harbour after initially landing with the First Fleet that took place in the building including printing the first of eleven ships at after an 8 month voyage. newspaper, making the first laws of the colony and the Successful modern Australia owes its establishment, nation’s first and only political coup. against huge obstacles, to the remarkable leadership, vision, humanitarianism and inspiration of Governor The program, presented by the Historic Houses Trust, Arthur Phillip. His stewardship of the First Fleet was is supplemented by events across greater Sydney, also applauded for its humane treatment of all those commemorating Governor Phillip, including talks, tours onboard, keeping the crew of convicts and civilians and activities at the State Library of NSW, Royal healthy throughout the arduous voyage from England. Botanic Gardens and . Full In addition to his skills in navigating the new Colony of details are available at http://slm.is/captainphillip New South Wales to prosperity in the face of major obstacles, Governor Arthur Phillip has also been ENDS recognised for his diplomacy and efforts to build relationships with Aboriginal people, fair and firm treatment of all in the colony, and ultimately as the NOTES TO EDITORS: architect of modern Australia. Media Contact: For more information or to request interviews or imagery in relation to the Governor Phillip For more information visit: Bicentenary, please contact: http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/stories/ Lara Dawson, ambition-and-adventure-early-life-arthur-phillip T: 0404 043 022 E: [email protected] Kym Elphinstone, [art]iculate T: 0421 106 139 E: [email protected] Media enquiries for Minister Stokes: Emily Boyle T: 0400 755 432 Sydney Living Museums Commemorative Events the colony, and the life, career and continuing importance of the man who governed it. Guided Tours When: Friday 5 September 2014, 9.00am-5.00pm Where: Museum of Sydney, Corner of Phillip & Bridge Streets Cost: General $99, Members and Associations $80, Students “A Good Foundation: Phillip’s House” $70 includes lunch The Museum of Sydney is located on the site of first www.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au Government House, which was the most important house in the colony for more than half a century, Other Governor Phillip Commemorative Activity serving as the Governor’s home and office. Through this captivating tour and against the backdrop of Royal Botanic Gardens Talk existing displays, visitors will gain insights into the Arthur Phillip: Sailor, Mercenary, Governor, Spy stories of Australia’s first Government House, walk the Join author Michael Pembroke as he discusses his foundations of what was once the most prominent book Arthur Phillip: Sailor, Mercenary, Governor, Spy building in the colony, and discover the untold history which uncovers the elusive character of Arthur Phillip, hidden beneath the city’s feet. brings to life his career in the and explains When: Daily tours, 11-11.30am the culture, values, fashions and features of the Where: Museum of Sydney, Corner of Phillip & Bridge Streets Georgian society in which he lived and died. Arthur Cost: Free with Museum entry. Adults $10; children under 15 years and concessions $5; families (two adults, two children) Phillip’s story is not just an historical account but it is $20; Sydney Living Museums Members are free of charge. also told with an engaging focus on the scientific and natural world. Dedication of Governor Arthur Phillip Memorial When: Wednesday 20 August 2014, 10.30am for 11am-12pm Where: Joseph Maiden Theatre, Royal Botanic Gardens Sculpted in 1952 by Jean Hill, the bust of Governor Cost: Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens (F&F) Arthur Phillip was originally located in the garden to the Member $15, Non-Member $22 east of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia. Morning Tea -10.30am Book through the F&F: 9231 8182 After undergoing conservation work the memorial will www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au be installed on First Government House Place, the forecourt of the Museum of Sydney and the site of State Library of NSW Talk Arthur Phillip’s Government House. Admiral Arthur Phillip — the man, with Lyn When: Thursday 28 August 2014, 11.30am Where: Museum of Sydney, Corner of Phillip & Bridge Streets Ferguson Cost: Free, all welcome Admiral Arthur Phillip holds a unique place in Australian history as the first governor of New South Wales. While The First Governor: a Bicentennial Symposium on we know of his achievements and have numerous Arthur Phillip official records on his public life, as we approach the To commemorate the bicentenary of Arthur Phillip’s bicentenary of Phillip’s death, author Lyn Ferguson death Sydney Living Museums presents a symposium discusses the man behind the public persona. Lyn will on the man, his life and his legacy at the site of first walk us through his family background, early life, and Government House, the Museum of Sydney. At this full- his impressive career. In doing so, Phillip the man will day event, some of Australia’s most significant scholars be fleshed out, clearly illustrating this fascinating of colonial history reveal the contributions Phillip made character. to the founding of modern Australia. From his role When: Wednesday 20 August 2014, 12.30pm–1.30pm Where: Metcalfe Auditorium, Macquarie Street building, preparing for the voyage of the First Fleet, to his five State Library years as the colony’s first governor, the symposium is a www.sl.nsw.gov.au fascinating and intimate exploration of the founding of Walking Tour, First Fleet sites in The Rocks Western Sydney Parklands Tour Meeting at The Rocks Discovery Museum, participants ‘Walk in Phillips’ footsteps’ will have a tour of the museum, with its highlights the Walk the trail that Phillip’s party took in 1788. Free tour earliest headstone known to exist from the First Fleet with an expert ranger guide who will interpret the (1788), the foundation stone of Dawes Point Battery landscape the expedition party saw for the first time and guardhouse (1789) and other artefacts of the earliest the place of their overnight camp by the Parramatta European settlement. We will then proceed on a River. walking tour of sites associated with Phillip’s settlement When: Sunday 31 August 2014, 11am and 2pm in The Rocks. Places are limited to 15 people per group Parramatta Park & Western Sydney Parklands Trusts When: Sunday 24 August 2014, 3.30pm-5.30pm www.westernsydneyparklands.com.au Where: Meet at The Rocks Discovery Museum, Kendall Lane, The Rocks Bookings: Rocks Discovery Museum 9240 8680 www.therocks.com/things-to-do/the-rocks-discovery- museum.aspx

State Library of NSW Curator Talk Out of the Vaults, Governor Arthur Phillip Appointed as the first Governor of the colony of New South Wales, Arthur Phillip died on 31 August 1814. Join us as we commemorate the 200th anniversary of his death. Curator Louise Anemaat will present a selection of items from the Library’s collections that document Phillips’ role in the early years of the colony. When: Thursday 28 August 2014, 6pm–7.30pm Where: Friends Room, Mitchell Library, State Library Cost: $30, Bookings required www.sl.nsw.gov.au

Image credits 1. Captain Arthur Phillip, 1796, Francis Wheatley. State Library of NSW: ML 124 2. Model of the first Government House and kitchen buildings c1836, Lesley Osborne, 2010. Mixed media. Photo © Ross Heathcote for Sydney Living Museums 3. Governor's house at Sydney, , 1791 (detail), William Bradley, from William Bradley – drawings from his journal ‘A voyage to New South Wales’, 1802 -. State Library of NSW: Safe 1/14