On 2 February 1874, Father Julian Tenison Woods gave a lecture in Melbourne entitled How Australia was discovered and explored. A large number of people attended with Mr William Archer in the chair for the evening.
The following day an extensive summary of the lecture was published in the Melbourne Argus [i] and the article was repeated in the Brisbane Queenslander [ii] several weeks later.
The content of the lecture was from research that Father Julian had undertaken for his publication A History of the Discovery and Exploration of Australia: or an account of the progress of geographical discovery in that continent from the earliest period to the present day [iii] in 1865.
The lecture was very well received with Father Julian receiving much applause and a vote of thanks.
Reading through the summary of the lecture gives one an insight into the extensive knowledge that Father Julian must have had about Australia. To have written two volumes on the topic so early in his time in this new land indicates not only his own interest but also that of society at the time. Father Julian was a powerful speaker, his subject was fascinating and, by all accounts, a good evening was had by all.
It seems to me that the word discovery was very much part of Father Julian’s life. He was enthusiastic about discovering more about whatever he came across, whether it be matters scientific, religious or historical. He must have read widely and been part of many absorbing conversations before he ever committed pen to paper to share his insights. It would have been good to have met him!
Carmel Jones rsj
This month we present a comprehensive summary of a lecture given by Fr Julian Tenison Woods on 2 February 1874 in Melbourne:
Download ‘How Australia was Discovered and Explored’ (PDF)
Footnotes:
[i] Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), Tuesday 3 February 1874, page 6 obtained from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5880794
[ii] Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld: 1866 – 1939), Saturday 21 February 1874, page 8 obtained from https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18329683#
[iii] ‘A History of the Discovery and Exploration of Australia: or an account of the progress of geographical discovery in that continent from the earliest period to the present day’, with maps and portraits, London, 1865, 2 vols.