In 1606, the small Dutch ship Duyfken sailed from the Indonesian island of Banda in search of gold and trade opportunities on the fabled island of Nova Guinea.
The community foundation constructed the replica ship at a cost of $3.7 million to help tell the little known story of Australia’s first recorded European visitors and to counter two of Australia’s popular historical myths: that Dirck Hartog was the first European to step ashore in Australia and that Captain Cook “discovered” Australia. The 2000 Duyfken Expedition sponsored by Chevron Corporation brought the little known historical truth to people in Australia and all over the world.
Under the command of Willem Janszoon, Duyfken and her crew ventured south-east. They sailed beyond Os Papuas (Papua New Guinea)and explored and chartered part of the coast of Nova Guinea. They did not find gold – but they did find the northern coast of a huge continent: Australia. Captain Janszoon was the first European to map and record Australia in history so Duyfken‘s voyage marks the beginning of Australia’s recorded history.
Bon Scott was born in Scotland in 1946 and moved to Australia with his family aged six, arriving in Melbourne. Shortly afterwards the family moved to Perth. He attended North Fremantle Primary and John Curtin Senior High School and had an interest in music from an early age. He played drums in the Fremantle Pipe Band until he was 17. He then joined the Valentines and moved to Melbourne and when they broke up he joined Fraternity which was later renamed Fang. (click for external link)
