Matthew Flinders' Cairn, Point Matthew

Author

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River

Place Number

04954

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Location

Leeuwin Rd nr Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Cape Leeuwin

Location Details

Local Government

Augusta/Margaret River

Region

South West

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	01 Jul 2012	Historic Site 3	Historic Site 3 (3) The place is associated with an event or former place that is of particular significance for the local community. A memorial/plaque has been erected at the site.
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	17 Jun 1996	Criterion 5	Criterion 5 RARITY: It demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of the cultural heritage of the local district.

Statement of Significance

Mathew Flinders Cairn is of significance:
• As a community memorial to a site associated with the discovery and exploration of the south-west of Australia by British maritime explorers.

Physical Description

This site is located in a small carpark and viewing area overlooking the ocean.
The memorial has been constructed with roughly squared granite blocks in the form of a small, tapered square plinth. This supports 4 brass plaques.
The primary inscription reads:
On 6 December 1801 Captain Matthew Flinders R.N. Commander of H.M.S. Investigator sighted Cape Leeuwin and commenced the mapping of the Australian coast.
This memorial was erected by the Augusta Branch of the Royal W.A. Historical Society.

History

Mathew Flinders, at the age of 27, was put in command of the Investigator with instructions to survey and chart the coast of New Holland, particularly the bays and river mouths, with the help of scientists on board his ship.In 1801, and then again in 1803, Flinders made accurate charts of the south-west coast during his circumnavigation of Australia. It was on these journeys that the area known as Cape Leeuwin was sighted and charted.The charts that Flinders made were used for well over a century.A memorial has been erected by the Augusta Historical Society, in the parking area near Groper Bay, to commemorate this event.

Integrity/Authenticity

High: The original use has been maintained.
High: The original/significant fabric is largely intact.

Condition

Good *Assessed from streetscape survey only

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	Monument Australia	www.monumentaustralia.org.au
		Municipal Heritage Inventory	1996

Other Reference Numbers

Ref Number	Description
CL-04	MI Place No.
A4434	LGA Site No.

Place Type

Historic site

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Present Use	MONUMENT\CEMETERY	Monument
Original Use	MONUMENT\CEMETERY	Monument

Historic Themes

General	Specific
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY	Exploration & surveying

Creation Date

05 Nov 1996

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

09 May 2019

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.