Mary Gilbert

On August 1st, 1835 the ship, Enterprize left Launceston, Tasmania with John Pascoe Fawkner, Captain John Lancey Master Mariner, George Evans a builder, William Jackson and Robert Marr carpenters, Charles Wyse a farmhand, three servants, Thomas Morgan, Even Evans and James Gilbert a blacksmith and pregnant wife Mary and her cat. Supplies included two horses, pigs, poultry, dogs, trees, seeds, food and grog. The Enterprize was buffeted by rough seas and forced to dock at George Town in Northern Tasmania, here John Fawkner left the ship. On August 15th the party found the mouth of the Yarra River, the Enterprize was hauled upstream and on August 30th the party disembarked and set up camp. The Lady Mayoress, Mrs. R. Walker unveiled a statue of the pioneer Mary Gilbert by sculptor Ailsa O'Connor in the Conservatory, Fitzroy Gardens on the 26th November, 1975. Mary Gilbert was the first white woman to live in the Port Phillip settlement and her son was the first white child born in the new district.