Matthew Flinders back in bronze

PM pic 3
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, left, after the Matthew Flinders statue unveiling at Flinders at Tonsley on Friday 13 May 2016.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has unveiled the University’s 50th anniversary life-size bronze statue of Australian explorer and namesake Matthew Flinders.

The 1.8 metre high bronze was crafted by Britain’s most noted sculptor, Mark Richards FRBS, who was  commissioned to create a full size replica to mark Flinders University’s 50th anniversary celebrations this year.

The original sculpture, depicting a working Matthew Flinders in action over a stylised map of Australia – and also featuring his pet cat Trim – is placed at one of England’s busiest train stations, Euston in North London, where Flinders’ remains are rumoured to be buried under platform four or five.

It was unveiled in 2014 by HRH Prince William of Cambridge to commemorate the bicentenary of Matthew Flinders’ death and the publication of his account of his travels, titled A Voyage to Terra Australis.

Flinders Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says it is a fitting synergy that the second statue, like the first, will be located at a rail station – the new Flinders Rail Station.

“It is equally fitting that the Flinders Rail Station will promote innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration, qualities exemplified by Matthew Flinders,” Professor Stirling says.

Coinciding with the official statue unveiling, Prime Minister Turnbull announced the allocation of $85 million in funding for a rail extension to Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre during a visit to Flinders at Tonsley on Friday, 13 May.

Flinders University has established a scholarship fund, which will enable an outstanding Flinders student to spend a semester studying in the UK and scholarship for a British student to spend a semester studying at Flinders University.

Fast facts

  • Weight 1225kg
  • Euston station has more than 63 million people transit annually
  • Video of the South Australian unveiling: here
  • Video of the London unveiling: here
  • Flinders Memorial Statue page: here

 

 

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