In 1801 Matthew Flinders was commissioned by Sir Joseph Banks to chart the previously unchartered regions of the ‘great south land’.

After many adventures and mishaps, Flinders completed his circumnavigation of Australia in June 1803.

On his way back to England, Flinders was taken prisoner by the French on the island of Mauritius. He completed his map of the continent in 1804 while languishing in prison.

Flinders titled his map: ‘Australia or Terra Australia’. This is the first known use of the name ‘Australia’ by any navigator.

Upon returning to England in 1810, the Admiralty ordered Flinders to produce a new map with the order reversed to ‘Terra Australis or Australia’. It was this map that was published in 1814.

The day after this map was published, Flinders died.

In 1817, Governor Macquarie, learning of Flinders’ preference for the name ‘Australia’, adopted the name Australians have come to cherish.

Flinders’ original map, featuring the name ‘Australia’ foremost, is stored at the UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton, Somerset, where it is accessible only by appointment.

This is the true Birth Certificate of our Nation and, as such, deserves to be placed on public display.

We want to work cooperatively with the British Government to have Flinders’ original map gifted to Australia so it can be displayed in time for the bi-centenary of Flinders’ death in 2014.

Sign Our Petition to the British Parliament – Bring Home the Birth Certificate of Our Nation

To the House of Commons

The petition of the undersigned shows support for Matthew Flinders’ original map, ‘Australia or Terra Australia’, to be returned to Australia.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons provide authority for Matthew Flinders’ original map to be gifted to Australia so that it can be displayed in time for the bi-centenary of Flinders’ death in 2014.

And the petitioners remain, etc.