​​​​​In 1786, Britain needed someone to lead an extraordinary mission: to sail to the far side of the world and establish a new British settlement in what would eventually become Australia.

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The man chosen was Arthur Phillip.

 

An experienced naval officer, farmer and meticulous planner, Phillip had earned a reputation for being brave, honest and dependable. But what also made him remarkable was his approach to the people he encountered when he arrived.

 

His instructions were to seek peaceful relations with the Indigenous people and to live with them in “amity and kindness”. Phillip took this seriously, seeking contact with the Eora people. His encounters with Bennelong, in particular, became an important part of the early story of the colony.

 

So when we remember Admiral Arthur Phillip, we remember more than the man who led the First Fleet. We remember a leader faced with an extraordinary challenge - and the choices he made.

 

Each year, Viscount Wakefield’s Phillip Memorial Fund keeps his story alive through the annual memorial service in London.

 

This year, we are delighted to welcome The Hon George Brandis KC, former Australian High Commissioner to the UK, as our guest speaker.

 

Join us for the Admiral Arthur Phillip Memorial Service & Drinks Reception and hear more about the man behind the history and celebrate the enduring connection between Britain and Australia​​