13/12/02
Minister for the Kimberley Tom Stephens today unveiled a bronze bust of historical French navigator and explorer Nicolas Baudin, and a plaque to the Town of Broome.
Mr Stephens said that during the Centenary Year in 2001 - during which time he was the Minister responsible for Centenary of Federation celebrations in Western Australia - the WA Government recognised the significance of Baudin's 1801-1803 visit to the shores of what was then 'New Holland'.
"A Centenary of Federation grant provided by the State Government and the French Government has funded the preparation of eight bronze busts of Baudin," the Minister said.
"These will be presented to a number of local authorities along the coast to acknowledge Baudin's exploits in charting what was considered years ago to be the edge of the known world.
"The bust I am presenting to the Shire of Broome today will be placed in Bedford Park as a reminder of Baudin's journey along these shores."
Mr Stephens said Nicolas Baudin surveyed the coast of WA as the captain of the French ship 'Geographe' and gave prominent land features along the coast their French names.
"Also aboard the ship was the hydrographer Pierre Leveque, whose name was bestowed on Cape Leveque," he said.
"The Bardi people, the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land, now call Cape Leveque 'Kooljaman'.
"Baudin crossed paths with another great explorer of that time, Matthew Flinders, whose British supporters had claimed Australia as their own.
"Baudin saw his voyage to this land as a great opportunity to advance knowledge about the far world.
"With a multicultural crew and three ships he set sail to leave legacy of that exploration in the names of many of them on the prominent features along our coast."
Minister's office: 9213 6500
