Australia on the Map

It seeks to enhance Australians’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the nation's early history, beginning in 1606 with the voyages of Willem Janszoon in the Duyfken and Luis Váez de Torres in Los Tres Reyes and San Pedro, and continuing to the present.

Kim Beazley AC, and subsequently Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie AO RANR, former Chief of Navy.

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.

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.

• Have strong community involvement, engaging, as far as possible all Australians, regardless of age, creed, gender, socio-economic group or ethnicity.

Research Projects undertaken by the Australia on the Map Division include the online translation of the VOC Charter and the current Search for the Deadwater Wreck.

The resulted in special exhibitions at the State Library of New South Wales, and numerous papers being given at various conferences and published in journals.

Also, lectures were delivered and articles published in 2016 to mark the first European contact with the west coast of Australia by the visit of Dirk Hartog in the Eendracht in 1616.

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.