Commemorates the place where Captain Arthur Phillip first landed on Australian soil. The First Fleet, of 11 ships, set sail on 13 May 1787. The leading ship, HMS Supply reached Botany Bay setting up camp on the Kurnell Peninsula, on 18 January 1788. Philip soon decided the site was not suitable as it has poor soil, no secure anchorage and no reliable water source. He decided to go on to Port Jackson, and on 26 January the marines and convicts landed at Sydney Cove, which Phillip named after Lord Sydney.
The Plaques Read:
Front Top;
"TO FOUND THE COLONY OF NEW SOUTH WALES CAPTAIN ARTHUR PHILLIP, R.N. ARRIVED IN BOTANY BAY IN THE SHIP "SUPPLY" WHICH WAS MOORED OFF THIS SITE ON JANUARY 18TH 1788 R.A.H.S. Erected by the municipality of Randwick M. J. Dwyer, Mayor 12-12-53"
Front Bottom;
"IN - THIS VICINITY, ABOUT 3 P.M. ON 18TH JANUARY 1788, GOVERNOR PHILLIP FIRST SET FOOT ON AUSTRALIAN SOIL. HE WAS SEEKING FRESH WATER. ON HIS APPROACH, A GROUP OF NATIVES, WHO HAD WATCHED HIM LAND, WITHDREW INTO THE BUSH. LATER THAT AFTERNOON SOME OF THEM DIRECTED HIM TO A STREAM NEARBY. (BUNNERONG CREEK?) R.A.H.S."
Back;
HIS MEMORIAL WAS UNVEILED BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF NEW SOUTH WALES LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR JOHN NORTHCOTT K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., C.B. ON 18TH JANUARY 1956 ~~~ COUNCIL OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF RANDWICK R. A. POPPLEWELL, MAYOR
