THE GALWAY explorer who led the first successful expedition from south to north Australia was remembered yesterday in the city of his birth on the 150th anniversary of the mission’s launch.
Robert O’Hara Burke died on the return journey to Melbourne after making the first successful trip from south to north Australia in 1860.
The Australian Ambassador, Bruce Davis, and the Mayor of Galway city, Cllr Michael Crowe honoured Robert O’Hara Burke who was born in St Cleran’s, Co Galway in a series of events throughout the city yesterday.
A programme was launched when the Australian flag was raised in a ceremony outside City Hall.
A copy of Galway historian William Henry's book The Shimmering Waste – The Life and Times of Robert O'Hara Burkewas also presented to the ambassador.
Afterwards the group completed a tour of the city, which included a visit to Dominick Street where a plaque marks O’Hara Burke’s former home, before they continued to the City Museum where the Nigel Havers and Greta Scacchi film, Burke Wills will be screened for the remainder of the week.
Mr Davis was delighted to be able to honour Burke, whom he described as “a hero” and underlined the importance of the expedition to all Australians.
“He has made it into the history books, all the kids know about him,” said Mr Davis.
“Burke and Wills are up there among the key explorers for Australia. It really is important for us to keep remembering where these people that we as Australians regard as heroes actually came from. And in this case it is a Galway man,” said the ambassador.
In June 1860, 40-year-old Burke was appointed to lead the Victorian Exploring Expedition with Englishman, John Wills at his side. The expedition left Melbourne on Monday, August 20th, 1860, with a total of 19 men, 27 camels and 23 horses.
Throughout the trek the group struggled with their lack of bush craft and with the extreme weather conditions.
Despite their travails, the expedition succeeded in their aim to reach the north coast of Australia when they arrived at the Gulf of Carpentaria.
However, Burke died of starvation on the journey back to Melbourne the following year.
As part of the celebrations, Galway City Museum will host adventurer Dermot Somers and historian William Henry for a talk today on the subject of Burke’s exploration of Australia.
The talk begins at 1pm and is free.