As Australia prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook's arrival, a debate has reignited over the legacy of the explorer and the relocation of his family cottage to Melbourne. The cottage, originally built in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, was transported to Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens in 1934 by industrialist Russell Grimwade for the city's centenary. However, historians note that Cook never lived in the cottage, and there is no evidence he ever visited it.
The cottage was long promoted as a nationalistic colonial icon, with many children, including the author, growing up believing Cook had lived there. In reality, Cook never set foot in Melbourne; his closest point to the city was at Tolywiarar, which he renamed Point Hicks, about 500km away. The connection was largely fabricated by journalist Hermon Gill, who argued that since Point Hicks was in Victoria, Melbourne should become the 'proud guardian' of Cook's home.
The anniversary celebrations, including a $6.7 million circumnavigation by a replica Endeavour, have drawn criticism from those who view Cook as a colonial bogeyman. Critics point to his violent encounters with Indigenous Australians, whom he called 'Indians', and his practice of renaming places with English names despite existing Indigenous ones. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over Australia's colonial history and the need for reconciliation.
