John Hunter maroon plaque

This maroon commemorative plaque records: Governor John Hunter Governor of New South Wales 1795-1800 Born Leith 29th August 1737 Died London 13th March 1821. John Hunter, son of Leith ship master, was second in command aboard H.M.S. Sirius to Governor Arthur Phillip who founded the colony in January 1788. He returned to be the colony's second Governor and conducted its Government with sense, duty and humanity. This bust was donated to the Scots Australian Council in Edinburgh by its sculptor, Victor Cusack, and the Scottish Australian Heritage Council, in Sydney and was unveiled on 26th August 1994, by The Rt. Hon. Norman Irons, The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, and His Excellency, The Rt. Hon. Neal Blewett, High Commissioner for Australia.

John Hunter, born in Leith, served as the second Governor of New South Wales from 1795 to 1800 and is remembered for his humane governance and significant contributions to the early development of Australia.