Description:
Sited on the Monument Track, Solander Drive, in the Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell 2231.
The monument, which faces waters of Botany Bay, takes the form of a semi-circular seat of polished tachyte, which incorporates a column. It has an oval floor. On the column, above two plaques, is a bronze head of Sir Joseph Banks.
History:
The sculptor of the Bank’s head was Jean Hill.
The memorial was unveiled by Mr W.J. McKell, and the seat with its inscription “Banks”, was unveiled by Mrs McKell, on 6th September 1947.
At the unveiling banksia trees were planted around the site.
Inscription:
Top plaque:
IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF
SIR JOSEPH BANKS
1745-1820
FAMOUS BRITISH SCIENTIST
WHO VISITED THESE SHORES WITH
CAPTAIN JAMES COOK R.N. IN 1770
HIS ADVOCACY OF BRITISH SETTLEMENT IN
NEW SOUTH WALES, HIS BENEFICIAL INFLUENCE
ON ITS EARLY ADMINISTRATION, HIS COMPREHENSIVE
RESEARCHES INTO ITS FLORA, HIS VIGOROUS
PERSONALITY AND BREADTH OF VISION, MERIT
HIS RECOGNITION AS
THE PATRON OF AUSTRALIA
Lower Plaque:
THIS MEMORIAL IS THE GIFT OF
EDWARD L.L. HALLSTROM ESQ. 1946.
UNVEILED BY
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL
MR W.J. McKELL
6th SEPTEMBER 1947.
GPS Coordinates: -34.003647, 151.218811
References:
Cook’s Log, page 215, vol. 6, no. 3 (1983)
Cook’s Log, page 49, vol. 29, no. 1 (2006)
Cook’s Log, page 27, vol. 30, no. 4 (2007)
Cook’s Log, page 30, vol. 40, no. 3 (2017)
Endeavour Lines, page 9, no. 40 (2003)
Endeavour Lines, page 3, vol. 61 (2013)
Endeavour Lines, page 7, no. 70 (2018)
Website: http://monumentaustralia.org.au/display/21770-sir-joseph-banks
Image gallery (click to enlarge)