CHAPTER IX - THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION OF VICTORIA IN 1860-1 UNDER THE COMMAND OF MESSRS. BURKE AND WILLS

Summary

In the annals of Australian discovery it will have been observed that the colony of Victoria had taken little part, and won consequently few laurels. Whilst New South Wales had led the way by successive and successful expeditions, and Southern and Western Australia had followed bravely in the track, Victoria had lain wonderfully still, and seemed content to hear of the gradual unfolding of the wide regions of the common continent without a single desire to share in the glory and the sacrifice. The repeated tidings of the northern progress of Stuart from Adelaide appears at last to have roused the public mind of this colony to a resolve to enter the field of so noble a competition. This resolve was undoubtedly stimulated to more immediate action by the offer of £1000 for the purpose, made by a public-spirited colonist, who for some time withheld his name, but who has since become well known as Mr. Ambrose Kyte. Having once entertained the idea, the great gold colony put forth its strength, and the expedition projected by it has eclipsed all others in the magnificence of its outfit, and the mingled greatness and the disaster of its results. Their appointed explorers, Burke and Wills, accomplished the great task of traversing the entire continent from south to north, and perished in the attempt.