A life-size statue of famed navigator Matthew Flinders has finally been placed in its ‘forever’ home at Flinders’ Station Plaza, almost five years to the day after its original unveiling by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

The massive bronze statue is an exact replica of a monument of the University’s namesake at London’s Euston Station.

In 2016 the statue was unveiled as part of the announcement of a rail link to Flinders University, and with the recent completion of the rail line the statue will be officially welcomed on Wednesday 19 May to its new location as part of the celebrations launching Station Plaza.

The event will also reveal a banner to honour Bungaree, a senior Kuringgai man who was Flinders’ interpreter and guide, and who Flinders credits as a brave and worthy man who saved the expedition multiple times.

Station Plaza is a new gateway to the University precinct and pivotal step in the realisation of Flinders Village.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says it signals an important moment in the realisation of the University’s vision for growth.

“The $141m rail line is the catalyst for our visionary Flinders Village development… and Station Plaza is the first capital infrastructure project in this major development that signifies the commencement of our ambitious growth agenda,” Professor Stirling says.

“It is the welcoming gateway to the soon-to-commence centrepiece of the Flinders Village – our flagship Health and Medical Research building which will provide world class research facilities for Flinders University’s growing health and medical research, plus support contemporary teaching for the next generation of health and medical practitioners.

“Site works are scheduled to commence by the end of this year. And rest assured, it won’t be long afterwards when work starts on student accommodation, and other amenities to support this blossoming precinct.

“In this way, Station Plaza is more than it may first seem; not just a welcoming gateway for students, staff, visitors and the community, but a symbolic first step in our journey towards realising our vision for a bold new era for our University where education, research, health and community combine in a transformative development that unlocks the potential for $1.1bn in economic activity in southern Adelaide.

“And at the heart of it is Matthew Flinders’ statue – located, at last, as originally envisioned at the eponymous Flinders Station in wonderful symmetry of the original half a world away in England.”

The launch of Station Plaza is being attended by South Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport the Hon. Corey Wingard, Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas, and the federal member for Boothby Nicolle Flint, among the dignitaries.