Origins
Australia on the Map Division of the Australasian Hydrographic Society is the successor organisation to Australia on the Map: 1606–2006. Australia on the Map: 1606–2006 was formed by Peter Reynders andFormation
At the conclusion of 2006 those involved in Australia on the Map: 1606–2006 came to the realisation that there were significant limitations to Australian's knowledge of their early history. It was recognised that there needed to be ongoing education and awareness raising of the Australian community to overcome this limitation. At the same time the Australasian Hydrographic Society saw a need for greater awareness of hydrographic history and heritage among its members and stakeholders. Consequently, they invited those involved in Australia on the Map: 1606–2006 to form a new history and heritage ‘region’, to be known as Australia on the Map Division. In April 2007 Australia on the Map: 1606–2006 was formally wound up. Shortly after the Australia on the Map Division was formed and became part of the Australasian Hydrographic Society structure.Aims
Based on its Vision, of seeking “to enhance Australians’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the nation's early history,” the Australia on the Map Division developed a number of broad aims. These are to: • Focus on the period from 1606 onwards. • Give due recognition to all relevant navigators of all nationalities in the mapping of the Australian coast. • Ensure important landmarks are commemorated take place on a nation-wide basis and occurs in all states and territories. • Have strong community involvement, engaging, as far as possible all Australians, regardless of age, creed, gender, socio-economic group or ethnicity. • Highlight the mariners’ contacts with the land and between them and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, as well as the historical and cultural implications of those contacts.Activities
The Australia on the Map Division is a voluntary organisation which engages in a range of activities to promote its vision and aims in the areas of Commemorative Infrastructure, Commemorative Events, Heritage Projects, Research Projects, Research Promotion, Education Projects, (Curriculum and Capacity, Publicity and Promotion) and Strategic Activities. The Australia on the Map Division website is an important educational tool for the organisation. It features what is known as thCommemorations
Australia on the Map endeavours to foster commemorations of significant landmarks in early Australian history. In 2011 it promoted the 200th anniversary of the publication of the first full map of Australia in 1811 byOther activities
While 'Australia on the Map' continued to publish its quarterly newsletter "Map Matters" and maintains its website, it has been engaged in commemorations to mark the 300th anniversary in 2012 of the sinking of the ''References
Reynders, P. and Gerritsen, R. ''2006:The Commemoration of the 400th Anniversary of the 'Discovery' of Australia: A Report on Workshop, Held in the Friends Lounge, National Library of Australia 3 October 2002.'' Canberra: National Initiative Working Group, 2002 Reynders, P. (trans.) and Gerritsen, R. (ed.) ''A Translation of the Charter of the Dutch East Indies Company (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC): Granted by the State General of the United Netherlands, 20 March 1602.'' Canberra: Australia on the Map Division of the Australasian Hydrographic Society, 2009.Links to Reference Material