Victorians are invited to investigate a remarkable journey of exploration and have the rare chance to see surviving primary evidence from the expedition, as the Royal Historical Society of Victoria presents their November lunchtime lecture – Hume’s Sketch Map Explained.

To be held on Wednesday 25 November, researcher Ken McInnes will explore Hamilton Hume’s Sketch Map in detail and discuss how it lets us understand the overland journey and the changes we have made to this land over the last two centuries.

“191 years ago Hamilton Hume and William Hovell, along with six convict companions, travelled over 2,000 kilometres on a journey of exploration,” said Ken McInnes.

“Their expedition was remarkable: no one died; everyone returned; the route was blazed and mapped; good, previously “unknown country” was discovered; settlers followed soon after; and it provided an excellent return for a meagre government investment.

“However, from the moment of their return, the differences between the two leaders became public, ultimately tarnishing their reputations and diminishing the respect for their great journey.”

The key surviving primary evidence of the expedition is Hovell’s diary and three known contemporary copies of Hume’s Sketch Map.

“The Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) has the best copy - the others are Major Mitchell’s copy in the State Library NSW, and the copy sent by Lieutenant Governor Arthur to support Batman’s claim in 1835 in the National Archive London,” explained McInnes.

“With its clear provenance and excellent quality, the RHSV held copy is a document of outstanding national significance to Australia and to the State of Victoria.

“This talk will explain the provenance and significance of the RHSV’s copy of Hume’s Sketch Map, and compare and contrast the three known copies.

“For the first time, the audience will also be able to see prints of these three copies of Hume’s Sketch Map together in one place.”

About the speaker

Ken McInnes is an Adjunct Teaching Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology, lecturing in Internet and Web Technologies. His background is in civil and environmental engineer, town planning and computer science, working in consulting, government and academia. Ken has been researching engineering history for four decades, and has served on many statutory, professional and community organisations. Ken has a keen interest in the explorers Hume and Hovell, and the development of the Hume and Hovell Walking Track.

About the event

Date:                            Wednesday 25 November

Time:                          12.30pm refreshments; Lecture 1.00pm

Address:                      Royal Historical Society of Victoria

                                    239 A’Beckett Street

                                    Melbourne 

Cost:                           free for members, $10 for non-members

Bookings:                   t: (03) 9326 9288   e: [email protected]  w: historyvictoria.org.au

About the RHSV

Formed in 1909, the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) is committed to collecting, researching and sharing an understanding of the history of Victoria. Housing the most extensive single information resource on the history of Melbourne and Victoria, collections are open Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm. The RHSV is a community organisation that relies on membership subscriptions. Join today and help promote and preserve the history of Victoria – www.historyvictoria.org.au. You can also keep up to date with the past via the RHSV’s Twitter http://www.twitter.com/historyvictoria and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/historyvictoria