Godfather of Tasmania: commemorating Abel Tasman 1838 to 2012

Abstract

In 1642, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight Van Diemen's Land. His name has become embedded in Tasmanian history and, with very little opposition, has been widely commemorated with anniversary celebrations, monuments, and, above all, the naming of Tasmania. Although some historians have suggested that Tasman's exploits were modest, before 1945 he received more attention than other Australian explorers because he was free of any connections with convicts or Aborigines, because of the Tasmanian love of the sea, and because of the dearth of heroes in Tasmanian history. After 1945 Tasmania received a number of Dutch migrants who used Tasman's name to maintain links with their homeland and develop a Dutch-Australian identity. The presence of Dutch migrants renewed Tasmanian enthusiasm for commemorating Tasman and exploiting trade, tourism, and cultural connections with the Netherlands. This article examines the form, function, and actors attached to Tasman's commemoration from the early nineteenth century to the present day.