WA celebrates Dirk Hartog’s Shark Bay landing 400 year anniversary
WESTERN Australia is marking the 400th anniversary of Dutch sea captain Dirk Hartog’s landing off the state’s coast, where he left behind the oldest physical evidence of European contact with Australia.
Hartog left an inscribed pewter plate detailing his voyage and landfall at the location now known as Cape Inscription on the northwestern tip of WA’s largest and most western isle, which was named after him.
The dish is currently on loan from Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum.
WA Culture and Arts Minister John Day will represent Premier Colin Barnett on Dirk Hartog Island, unveiling copies of Hartog’s dish and Willem de Vlamingh’s dish, which replaced it in 1697.
“He was a well-travelled man, but if you came to the west coast of Australia as a European you would find it a foreboding and challenging landscape,” Oliver said.
“The place would’ve been inhabited by a completely unfamiliar array of animals and birds.”
The BBC presenter, who will spend five days in Shark Bay, said he hoped to return to the area, and that some stories he was looking at on this trip could be included in future programs.
“Part of its World Heritage status is simply down to how it looks, and I’m sure Dirk Hartog or anybody else would be struck by how stunning the place is,” he said.
“Seeing places like Shark Bay reminds people what’s at stake and what we should be striving to protect. I had the privilege of seeing it, and if it was my gift to give I would want people to see it even for 10 minutes.”
A replica Dutch ship of the era, the Duyfken, will sit offshore during the ceremony, with attendees including representatives of the Dutch government.
Next week, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands will visit WA as part of the commemorations.
Festival celebrates Dirk Hartog’s endeavours
The Duyfken at the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog's landing Festival in Denham.
Picture: Stewart Allen
The 'Sail in Parade' at the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog's landing Festival in Denham.
Picture: Stewart Allen
The 'Sail in Parade' at the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog's landing Festival in Denham.
Picture: Stewart Allen.
The 'Sail in Parade' at the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog's landing Festival in Denham.
Picture: Stewart Allen
The 'Sail in Parade' at the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog's landing Festival in Denham.
Picture: Stewart Allen
The 'Sail in Parade' at the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog's landing Festival in Denham.
Picture: Stewart Allen
Howard Gray and Jill Power at the Batavia Coast Maritime Heritage Association stand at the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog's landing festival.
Picture: Stewart Allen
Nova Burgess (her character is 'Lady of Honour') on the Duyfken for pirate day at the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog's landing festival.
Picture: Stewart Allen
Lochie Hadley (5) and Laetitia Wear (13) enjoy pirate day at the Duyfken at the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog's landing festival.
Picture: Stewart Allen
The Duyfken in Denham at the 400th anniversary of Dirk Hartog's landing festival.
Picture: Stewart Allen