Members of the Swedish community from Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Sydney gathered at Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell on Sunday for the re-inauguration of the Solander Monument following restoration work.
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The monument honours the memory of Swedish-born botanist Daniel Solander who sailed into Botany Bay aboard the Endeavour in 1770.
Costly restoration work was needed after monuments to Solander and James Cook were defaced with black paint on the Australia Day long weekend.
Guests of honour at the re-inauguration included the Swedish Ambassador Pär Ahlberger, Sweden’s health minister Gabriel Wikström and Dr Sten Roger Kaller, chairman of the Church of Sweden in Melbourne.
Mr Wikström said that while the British Empire had disappeared like all empires created by soldiers, but Solander’s empire of science continues to grow.
Sutherland Shire resident, Professor Edward Duyker, who is Solander’s biographer, said Solander was acknowledged as a Swedish man of science, rather than as an agent of British conquest.
Professor Duyker described Solander’s life as one of the grand adventures of the eighteenth century.
"Solander came here as a man of science and learning, not conquest,'' he said.
More in Tuesday's Leader.
