A new bronze plaque was unveiled in Bath this week outside the last home of Admiral Arthur Phillip, the founder of modern Australia who spent his retirement years in the city.
The plaque, funded by the Australian High Commissioner, ordered by the Britain-Australia Society West Country Branch, and made by Newton Forge Limited of Sturminster Newton, describes him as “Founder of Modern Australia”.
On 10th October the Australian High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency the Hon Alexander Downer AC, was joined by the Mayor of Bath, Cllr Paul Crossley, at a ceremony to unveil the bronze plaque outside 19 Bennett Street, Bath.
After the unveiling the High Commissioner said “I am delighted to honour today a great Englishman, and the founder of modern Australia.”
The British Admiral is one of modern Australia’s most significant historical figures, having commanded what became known as the ‘First Fleet’ of 11 ships which sailed in May 1787 to what is now Australia to establish the colony of New South Wales, as its first Governor.
The five-storey townhouse at Bennett Street is owned and managed by Bath housing association Curo who have recently completed a sympathetic renovation of the building’s disused basement areas, providing new accommodation in the city centre.
Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha said: “At Curo we’re proud to be the custodians of over 500 Listed Georgian properties in the heart of Bath and we’re thrilled to help mark this significance of this historic building.”
This new plaque complements a major bronze memorial armillary sphere and plinth commissioned by the Britain-Australia Society and installed in 2014 in a garden of the nearby Bath Assembly Rooms.
The memorial has become a popular attraction for visitors from Australia and across the world.
Admiral Phillip spent his retirement years at 19 Bennett Street and was buried in St Nicholas Church, Bathampton.