EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
SPEECH BY THE PRINS MINISTER
OFFICIAL OPENING OP THE BICENTENNIAL EXHIBITION,
SHIPWRECK I
PERTH 7 JANUARY 1988
Premier Burke
Your Excellency
Mr Chairman
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
This is a remarkable and indeed, unique eventnot
just in the context of Australia's Bicentenary Year,
and the vast range of activities associated with the
Year and not only in the context of Australia's maritime
history but, in its wider context as a tribute to the
indomitable human spirit
our tribute, our salute, to the countless thousands of
men, women and children who, over the course of four
centuries braved the mighty oceans and perished around
our shores.
This remarkable Exhibition bears the simple and poignant
title SHIPWROCKI
That, in itself, is a striking reminder of one of the
central messages which the commemoration of the Bicentenary
is designed to bring to the people of Australia, and
especially to our children.
And that message, or at least an important part of the
message, is about the appalling hardships, the dangera, the
difficulties and the suffering involved in the early part of
the European chapter in the story of modern Australia.
And this Exhibition conveys that message in a manner which
is as moving as it is memorable.
I need only mention two of the displays to make the point. 0037' 78
2.
There is the display dealing with the Batavia, wrecked off
the west Australian coast in 1629 wore than 350 years ago.
That, in itself, is an incredible story of human evil, of
tyranny, of cruelty and fanaticism.
yet, at the same time, a story of human endurance, courage,
loyalty and faith.
At both those levels, it is almost a parable of the human
condition.
And here I again make-the point, so relevant to the
Biceritenary -that we have to recognise that, throughout
human history great achievement has been all too often
accompanied bygreat wrongs and that our history is no
except ion.
I mention a second example from this Exhibition.
The wreck of the Sirius.
Sirius was Governor Phillip's flagship in the First Fleet.
it then became the supply ship for the struggling colony at
Sydney Cove its lifeline.
The wreck of the Sirius off Norfolk Island in 1190 struck an
almost mortal blow to a settlement already on the brink of
Starvation. Yet it did survive.
And its survival against appalling odds is an epic story of
human endurance and the achievement of the human spirit.
Yet it was the achievement, not of history's heroes, but the
achievement of outcasts and exiles.
And it is through reflecting on these things that all of us
will be able to learn and understand better the true meaning
of the Bicentenary.
And that is why this Exhibition is so important.
So superb an Exhibition is of course a remarkable
achievement in itself.
SHIPWRECKI is one of three Australian exhibitions of the
four projects the International Cultural Corporation of
Australia is managing for the Australian Bicentennial
Authority. This is n itself noteworthy, because in the
past Australia had tended to import major exhibitions from
overseas. 003779
it is part of the biggest program of Gallery and Museum
exhibitions ever staged in Australia. This is consistent
with the spirit of the Bicentennial Arts Program which
celebrates the achievements of Australia's performing and
visual artists.
And it is the first national recognition of the
international pro-eminence of the marine archaeologists of
the Western Australian Museum and the Queensland Museum.
The Australian public has never before been afforded such an
opportunity to see the fascinating results of the work of
our marine archaeologists, or to see the early European
history of our continent through this evidence of the past.
Jim Leslie has mentioned some of the people and
organisations who have contributed so much.
I add my thanks to his, and, I wish also to acknowledge the
support of scholars and governments in Europe and, in
particular, the Government of the Netherlands.
I congratulate the organising museums the Museum of
Victoria in association with the Western Australian Museum
and the Queensland Museum ( Mr Bob Edwards, Director, Museum
of Victoria, The Hon Mr Justice Kennedy, Chairman of the
Board of Trustees, Western Australian Museum, and Mr John
Bannister, Director, Western Australian Museum are here
today). on behalf of the people of Australia I thank the lenders of
priceless exhibits, particularly the Rijksauseum and The
Royal Coin Cabinet in The Netherlands.
Among the Australian contributors, Australian Airlines is
the major sponsor of the-Bicentennial Exhibition program.
other national sponsors include the new Australian National
maritime Museum.
I also thank Western Australian supporters, members of the
National Planning Committee for the exhibition, and'of
course the International Cultural Corporation of Australia.
Especially welcome has been the assistance given by a
consortium of Dutch companies:
ABN Australia Limited
Amro Australia Pty Ltd
Heineken Australia Pty Ltd
Holdhuys Australia Pty Ltd
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Nedlloyd Australia Pty Ltd
Phillips Holdings Industries Pty Ltd
Royal Nedlloyd Groep NV
Seabridge Australia Pty Ltd
in particular, let me mention some of our Dutch friends
whose personAl contribution has been critical. 003780
4.
I pay personal tribute to his Excellency mr Joris Vos,
Amba ssador of The Netherlands, who ralled Dutch support
for the project; to Professor Ernst van den Bogaart of
the Schiff commission, Department of Foreign Affairs in
The Netherlands who provided valued scholarship and
assistance with Dutch loans; and to Mr Hank Ebes, a
special consultant and print collector who conducted the
delicate negotiations to borrow the Caspar Boudaen Cameo
and arranged for the Batavia Replica Sloop to tour
Australia in 1988.
Let me make one final point.
one of the greatest treasures of the Exhibition is theple
which Dirk Hartog inscribed and nailed to a post near Sark
Day in 1616. It was taken to Holland in 1697 and returns
now to Australia for the first time.
The plate is the oldest known European artifact associated
with Australian history.
But the point I make is this:
The exhibition presents an extraordinary inheritance of
world cultural property.
Europeans set their mark on this continent 372 years ago.
But the oldest artifact made by the Australian aborigine
the oldest so far discovered is 18,000 years old.
As it travels throughout Australia, this Exhibition will
give our people a new perspective and new insights into
their history.
But there are other perspectives, other insights, that can
enrich our understanding, if only we will look and learn. 003781