[HASN logo] No. 33, August-September 1994 ISSN 0811-4757
Edited and published by Tim Sherratt (Tim.Sherratt@asap.unimelb.edu.au) for ASAP.

[Features logo] Great Scientific Memorial Search

Sadly no history-of-science-inclined benefactor has come forward to fund my expedition to seek out and document scientific memorials. However, I have had a few late entries (I know I said the competition was closed... I lied).

Arthur Lucas writes:

I am surprised no-one from Adelaide has mentioned the gravestone of RA Fisher in the Cathedral in Adelaide where he is buried, nor the Fisher Building in the University of Adelaide named after him. The inventor of most of the standard statistical designs used originally in agricultural research, and then more widely, should not be forgotten in the search for memorials..
Helen Yoxall of the Powerhouse Museum sent me some information about the Lands Department Building in Bridge Street, Sydney. Apparently there are twelve niches on each side of the building 'designed to be filled with statues of men who had distinguished themselves in the exploration of the colony, thus leading to its development' as well as various pro-settlement pollies. The statues include Sir Thomas Mitchell, Sir Joseph Banks, Ludwig Leichhardt, and Allan Cunningham. There was a move to have a few aviation pioneers, including Lawrence Hargrave, included, but it was not thought appropriate. This means, however, that there are still twenty-five niches vacant. Whose graven images should fill the remaining spaces? (Sounds like a new competition.)

An article by Norman Abjorensen in the Canberra Times of 8 April 1994 told of efforts to have Paul Strzelecki recognised as the man who discovered gold in Australia, some twelve years before Edward Hargraves. It reported that:

A Melbourne-base marketing consultant, Anthony Walker, has become the main go-between in seeking to resurrect the reputation of Strzelecki, and next week he will travel to Poland for a second time as part of Project Poland-Australia...

Part of the project, apart from correcting the history books, is to restore a monument to the explorer near his home in Poland...

The Polish explorer was honoured by the Victorian Government which named a mountain range and a village after him.

Later, during the 1930s, a set of seven markers on a track along the range in south Gippsland was installed as a memorial to the great explorer.

In 1988, for Australia's bicentenary, the Polish Government donated a statue of Strzelecki which now stands in Jindabyne.

Rosanne Clayton and Gavan McCarthy in Townsville for the ASA conference noticed a memorial sundial in the mall dedicated to Clarendon Stuart, 'who surveyed the land adjoining Flinders Street in 1865'.

And the winner is...

The elephant stamp goes to Garry Tee for his detailed article published in the last two HASNs. An ASAP Fun Pack will be making its way across the Tasman to Garry containing a selection of ASAP Guides, some AAS postcards, and maybe some other science-related goodies (depends on what I find in the basement). Thank you to all contributors, and don't forget to send me details of any other science memorials you come across in your travels.

[ Contents | Previous article | Next article | ASAPWeb HAST | ASAPWeb Home ]