Direct descendants of the legendary explorer Matthew Flinders gathered at Flinders University Victoria Square on Saturday, July 19, to celebrate the royal unveiling of a commemorative statute that will stand in one of London’s busiest railway stations.

Officially unveiled by Prince William at a ceremony at Australia House in London on Friday, the life-size bronze statue of Matthew Flinders will be situated on the main concourse of Euston Station in North London, where the English cartographer and first explorer to circumnavigate Australia is believed to be buried.

The statue, which depicts Matthew Flinders at work over a stylised map of Australia with his cat Trim, is a tribute to mark the bicentenary of Flinders’ passing and the publication of his influential A Voyage to Terra Australis.

To celebrate the occasion, Flinders University screened exclusive footage from the London unveiling at a special event on Saturday, which was attended by several direct descendants of Matthew Flinders, the namesake of Flinders University.

A precursor to the various activities, projects and events leading up to the University’s 50th anniversary in 2016, the Adelaide also celebrated the establishment of the Matthew Flinders Memorial Statue Scholarship.

The Scholarship, which has been part-funded through the sale of 75 limited-edition Flinders’ maquettes and a significant contribution from Flinders University, will enrich the academic experience of both local and international students by enabling them to spend part of their degree in the UK or at Flinders.