Robert Burns In Sydney

[macwilkin]

I found this statue of Robert Burns in Hyde Park in downtown Sydney, NSW. Anyone know what his connection to this area would be? I couldn't find anything in the biographies I read linking him to Australia.



The inscription on the base says BURNS 1759 - 1796.

Abax

You'll find statues of Burns in many places accross the globe where Scots expats reside; most likely it was put up by a local Burns Club, Caledonian/St. Andrew's Society, etc. in tribute to the Bard. For example, there are statues of Burns accross the US (St. Louis is the closest to me), Canada, New Zealand and of course, Scotland.

Noted Burnsian Hugh Dogulas once remarked that a copy of Burns was one of the few things that Scots immigrants could take with them to other climes, and that Burns became their link to home.

Regards,

Todd

[Pour1Malt]

nay idea...

interestin' though...

must bae Dumfries & Galloway arr Ayrshire Scots moved tae that area....

[macwilkin]

nay idea...

interestin' though...

must bae Dumfries & Galloway arr Ayrshire Scots moved tae that area....

See my post above.

Interestingly, on the Royal Caledonian Society of Melbourne, there is mention of a gift of a Burns statue to the City of Melbourne in January, 1905. I would imagine this is how the Sydney Burns statue was erected as well.

Regards,

Todd