BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

In July 1999, a number of events were held in Moreton Bay to commemorate the Bicentenary of the voyage of Matthew Flinders in the Norfolk.

Bribie Island, Redcliffe, Coochiemudlo Island, Mt. Beerburrum will hold re-enactments of Matthew Flinders' activities in their areas.

The Norfolk did not come into Wynnum/Manly in 1799, but sailed on the western side of St. Helena Island, then to the east of Green Island, past King Island and on to Coochiemudlo Island, where Flinders landed.

You will see from the accompanying material that Matthew Flinders, not Captain Cook, discovered Moreton Bay, and it would be great if students learned more of this great explorer and his tiny craft. How better to do it than during this Bicentenary?.

Some areas are planting trees (Norfolk Island Pines), and we, have already approached the Council and the Port of Brisbane about this. Maybe, if they are agreeable, each school could he responsible for a particular tree, to he planted along the foreshore or at the harbour's mouth, as a lasting memorial to the great explorer.

In Tasmania, Bern Cuthbertson, the skipper, and his crew interacted well with school children wherever the Norfolk visited, and we expect this will happen here, although it is a very small boat, and it may be difficult to accommodate everyone, if all the schools are to become involved. Perhaps small groups from each school could get to meet the crew and see over the boat.

Jackie Buttler 102 Moreton Avenue, Wynnum 4178

MATTHEW FLINDERS' BICENTENARY (QLD) 1999

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