First Settlers Monument

The Monument is a permanent record of the historical event which led to the foundation of the Capital City of Tasmania.

Built entirely of Tasmanian stone and in keeping with its surroundings, the solid and somewhat austere lines exemplify the hardships of early settlement and the solidarity and permanence of its foundation. The rectangular and circular base is built of dolerite of the Tasmanian mountains, the superstructure is of granite from the East Coast along which the expeditions of Bowen and Collins sailed on their way to the Derwent.

Bronze plates on each side of the centre stone bear the following inscriptions:-

"This Memorial erected to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Foundation of Hobart, was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second on 20th February, 1954.

"Lieut-Colonel David Collins, Royal Marines, as Lieut-Governor, was Commissioned in 1803 by Lord Hobart, Secretary of State, to establish a settlement at Port Phillip in the territory of New South Wales. Under the direction of Governor Phillip Gidley King, Lieut-Colonel Collins removed the settlement to the Derwent and landed at Risdon Cove on February 16, 1804. Then he chose a suitable site at Sullivan Cove. There H.M. Brig the Lady Nelson and the Ocean anchored on February 19, 1804. Near this spot on Hunter Island, Lieut-Colonel Collins went ashore and founded Hobart."

The photo of the unveiling of the memorial was provided by The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and shows Her Majesty with the Duke of Edinburgh (far left) and the Tasmanian Governor, The Right Hon. Sir Ronald Cross , Bt, KCMG, KCVO. The Navy crew and ship at rear has not been identified.

On the sides of the columns are panels in bas-relief in freestone from a quarry near Hobart, which supplied much of the stone of the fine buildings erected during the 19th Century. These panels, as accurate as can be furnished in stone, represent the two ships Lady Nelson and Ocean, which brought the first Lieutenant-Governor and his party to Sullivan Cove.

They are a permanent memorial to the two vessels, one of which, the Lady Nelson, played a prominent part in the other settlements at Risdon and Port Dalrymple, and carried out, over a period of nearly twenty-five years, much exploratory work in other parts of Australia. The Monument is situated on the historical site of Hunter Island where Collins landed. It forms the centre of a traffic circus in a busy part of the Port of Hobart. Its position is appropriate; nearby are the piers which berth the ocean liners, and the picturesque docks for sailing and fishing vessels. The view from the base, across Hobart towards Mount Wellington, is one of the finest in Tasmania.

The Monument was constructed under the supervision of the Public Works Department from the design by W.H. Furness.

Stonemason: V.W. Seivers. Bas-relief Panels: M.G. Davidson

In February 2004 plaques were placed on the Monument with names of persons victualled by Lieutenant-Governor Collins for the journey to Sullivans Cove in 1803-1804. The Memorial is a regular reference point for visitors to Hobart researching family histories.

The names were taken from official records of the time and in some instances it has been found that the correct name spelling is different.