16/3/03
Local Government and Regional Development Minister Tom Stephens has described French explorer Nicolas Baudin as a role-model relevant to today for his efforts at understanding and embracing all races and cultures.
At the ceremony today, Mr Stephens unveiled the Baudin Bust in Albany as the Minister responsible for the Centenary of Federation celebrations in Western Australia in 2001.
Mr Stephens said that as well as expanding geographical boundaries, Baudin had sought to expand human boundaries.
"Today, as well as celebrating what he did for extending the world's knowledge of Australia's geography, flora and fauna, we celebrate his efforts at understanding our shared humanity," the Minister said.
"Baudin was a far-sighted man. On December 23, 1802, in a letter to Governor King, of Sydney, about the land claims of the original inhabitants of the country, he wrote:
'To my way of thinking, I have never been able to conceive that there was justice and equity on the part of Europeans in seizing, in the name of the governments, a land seen for the first time, when it is inhabited by men who have not always deserved the title of savages or cannibals which have been given them, whilst they were but children of nature and just as civilised as are actually your Scotch highlanders or our peasants in Birtinya.'
"That was very humanitarian for someone who was living at the time of the Napoleonic wars and an inspiration to our thinking today."
As part of today's celebrations, the Government made a grant of $20,000 for eight busts of Baudin, to be placed in various local governments along the coastline he charted.
"It was an opportune time to memorialise this intrepid captain who went to the edge of the world as it was known then," Mr Stephens said.
"The French Government also recognised his place in WA's history and jointly funded the busts.
"As he looks out to sea now from this wonderful position in Albany, I hope future generations will look up to him and be inspired by him."
Minister's office: 9213 6500
