A relatively unsung hero in our nation's history is to have the first Australian memorial in his honour unveiled at Stroud this week.
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The explorer Rear-Admiral Phillip Parker King (1791-1856) was appointed to complete the full charting of the Australian coastline following on from the work of Matthew Flinders.
There is a memorial to the Rear-Admiral in Chile, erected by the Chilean Navy in 2008 and he featured on a 1963 Australian postage stamp and even has an orchid named after him.
But until now, there has been no permanent memorial for him in Australia.
"Captain Cook has statues, Flinders has statues but King has never had a statue, not even a worthy memorial," said historian and author Dr Jonathan King.
"Moreover, this naval explorer who mapped more of Australia's coastline and in greater detail than the great Captain Cook or Matthew Flinders - has never been properly recognised - until now, 163 years after he died."
Dr King, who spearheaded the famed reenactment of the sailing of the First Fleet from London to Sydney for Australia's 1988 bicentenary, has a special connection to the pioneer.
Not only is he Phillip Parker King's great great grandson but he also now owns his ancestor's former home - Stroud House.
Stroud House
Jonathan and his wife Jane are only the fifth owners of Stroud House since it was built in 1827.
The home, which has state heritage significance, was developed as a residence for the Australian Agricultural Company's superintendents.
Phillip Parker King was resident commissioner of the Australian Agricultural Company for 10 years and lived in Stroud House from 1839.
Stroud House is regarded by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage as "a fine example of early colonial architecture and convict construction from an important historical phase in the regional and agricultural development of NSW."
The house is relatively unchanged from its original days and the current King owners have done much to preserve this special piece of history.
They have restored the roof and re-wired the home and additions have been limited to the planting out of rose gardens. They pursued its listing on the heritage register to ensure it is preserved.
Memorial unveiling
The marble memorial to Rear Admiral King will be unveiled in St John's Anglican Church in Cowper Street, Stroud on Sunday, May 5 beginning with a festival Eucharist at 9am.
Joining the priest in Charge of St John's Stroud, Fr Martin Davies, will be guest preacher Fr Andrew Sempell, rector of St James', King Street Sydney.
Jane and Jonathan King's youngest daughter Charlotte King will officially unveil the marble memorial and morning tea will follow in the church hall.
Later that morning Charlotte will join her father and author Brian Abbott in making speeches detailing the history of Phillip Parker King and his association with Stroud.
In the lead up to this unveiling, the town is preparing another special event.
On Thursday, May 2, Dr King will play the part of his ancestor in a period drama at 11am outside the mansion.
The performance comes complete with the Mark Wheeler and family brass band and period costumes - led by thespian Anne Frost.
Stroud House will be open to the public for one hour on Saturday, May 4 from 4-5pm.
On loan for the day courtesy of the Stroud Historical Society is a model replica of the home.
Phillip Parker King is also the son of First Fleet officer and later Governor, Philip Gidley King. (He was named after his father's mentor, Admiral Arthur Phillip which explains the difference in spelling of his and his father's first names.)
Distinguished
As well as charting the Magellan Strait over three challenging years, Phillip Parker King was also a member of the NSW Parliament and had a state funeral.
He was the first Australian to be promoted to Admiral rank.
Together with his wife Harriet, he had eight children.
He complied an extensive vocabulary of different Aboriginal languages and took Aboriginal interpreters on his ships.