Redland residents and visitors will be able to witness the spectacle of a full sized replica of Matthew Flinders’ sloop ‘Norfolk’ sailing into Moreton Bay come July. The event is part of the nationwide Matthew Flinders Bicentenary celebrations.
The sloop is skippered by 74 year old Bern Cuthbertson, who completed a circumnavigation of Tasmania in December duplicating Flinders’ historic voyage.
Matthew Flinders Bicentenary Association co chairperson, historian John Pearn, said reenactments of Flinders’ landings are planned for Redland’s Coochiemudlo Island, in Redcliffe and Round Island in Hervey Bay.
“Bern Cuthbertson plans to take the sloop around Cape Moreton, on July 15, 200 years to the day after Flinders, his crew of nine and the ship’s cat, Trim, entered Cook’s Glass House Bay,” he said.
“Flinders spent two weeks exploring and mapping the Bay, leading to the establishment of the Moreton Bay settlement 24 years later.
On 15 July, the sloop will leave Redland for Bribie Island under escort from the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Sydney and British Royal Navy destroyer HMS Glasgow.
While in port, the crew of the Norfolk will be wearing period costumes to help create a festive atmosphere.
