The remarkable life and legacy of renowned explorer Matthew Flinders was the focus of Matthew Flinders: Fearless in life, love and tragedy, a captivating exhibition at Flinders University City Campus. At its heart is Flinders’ original coffin plate, shown in Australia for the first time.

Unearthed during a 2019 archaeological dig at London’s Euston Station, the lead coffin plate—remarkably preserved—helped identify Flinders’ long-lost grave among 40,000 burials. Captain Flinders was reburied, with a replica plate, in Donington, Lincolnshire, on the 250th anniversary of his birth in 2024.

The original coffin plate was gifted to the History Trust of South Australia and accepted on the state’s behalf by the Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency Frances Adamson AC, by Flinders’ descendants, in recognition of his significant contribution to the state’s colonial history.

Alongside the coffin plate were rare artefacts from the Flinders University Special Collections including Flinders’ ebony pocket compass, brass buttons from his naval jacket, and a first edition of A Voyage to Terra Australis, his monumental final publication featuring maps and illustrations. Other treasures include a letter to his wife, a coral necklace gifted to his sister and a needlework sampler crafted by his great-niece Susanna Pilgrim aboard the Bolivar whilst en-route to Adelaide 175 years ago.

A special event was held in honour of the exhibit, and attended by Her Excellency the Governor, the Hon. Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Arts, Louise Miller-Frost MP, Member for Boothby, John Gardner MP, member for Morialta, and descendants of Captain Flinders. Hosted by Fiona Salmon, Flinders University Museum of Art (FUMA) Director, curator and descendant of Flinders’ sister Susannah, guests heard from Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling and History Trust of South Australia CEO Greg Mackie OAM.