Godfather of Tasmania

Diemens Land. His name has become embedded in Tasmanian history and, with verylittle opposition, has been widely commemorated with anniversary celebrations,monuments, and, above all, the naming of Tasmania. Although some historians havesuggested that Tasmans exploits were modest, before 1945 he received more attentionthan other Australian explorers because he was free of any connections with convictsor Aborigines, because of the Tasmanian love of the sea, and because of the dearthof heroes in Tasmanian history. After 1945 Tasmania received a number of Dutchmigrants who used Tasmans name to maintain links with their homeland and developa Dutch-Australian identity. The presence of Dutch migrants renewed Tasmanianenthusiasm for commemorating Tasman and exploiting trade, tourism, and culturalconnections with the Netherlands. This article examines the form, function, and actorsattached to Tasmans commemoration from the early nineteenth century to thepresent day

Archaeology · Art · Enthusiasm · Genealogy · Homeland · Identity (music · Opposition (politics · Political science · Tourism · Australian History and Society · Australian Indigenous Culture and History · History · Law