HE Dame Marie Bashir, New South Wales’ 37th Governor, reflected warmly on her first predecessor, Admiral Arthur Philip, when she hosted a glittering reception at Government House in Sydney on the 200th anniversary of his death on 31 August. She spoke of the debt that modern Australia owes its founding father. She also commended his personal qualities: his drive and intelligence, his care for his convict charges, and his genuine efforts to establish good relations with the Aboriginal inhabitants he encountered.
The event followed a beautiful service at St James’ King Street, Sydney’s oldest standing church. We heard lessons read by Chief Justice Tom Bathurst, and by a representative of the Royal Australian Navy. Then Justice Michael Pembroke, author of an acclaimed new biography of Philip gave some personal reflections on Philip’s life and achievements, concluding that “He was not just the founder of modern Australia, he set the tone for the generous, liberal and fair minded society that we have become.”
The Governor unveiled a new plaque commemorating Arthur Philip in the church. This mirrored a similar event at Westminster Abbey in July, which she and I had both attended. The commemorations continue, with a major symposium on Philip at the Sydney Museum on Friday 5 September.