The listed coordinates are that of an impressive sandstone monument erected to commemorate the first Governor of Tasmania, Lieutenant Colonel David Collins, Royal Marines. The monument, which stands at the site of the first ever church in the land, and arguably over the tomb of Collins, has a detailed inscription on one side with the reverse displaying probably the largest Globe and Laurel (the crest of HM Royal Marines) in the southern hemisphere. David Collins is well known as the founder of Hobart and the colony, who formed the first (European) settlement of Tasmania (then Van Diemen’s Land) in 1804. Today, his legacy continues in placenames such as Collinsvale, Collins Cap, Collins Bonnet, and Collins Road.
Collins Monument, St David's Park
The location of this monument is in St David's Park, which interestingly was where the first cemetery in the land was based. It was Collins himself, along with Reverend Robert Knopwood, who chose this place as a burial site shortly after arriving. Over a century later, the cemetery grew to become a sea of headstones, and in the 1920's it was decided to transform the area into a public park. Today over 1000 unmarked graves still lie underground but a wall of remembrance displays many of those buried here. Occasionally graves collapse, which explains small undulations often seen in the surface of the park.
St David's Park circa 1927 (Collins monument can be seen top left)
Lt Col David Collins came from a family with a strong history of British Royal Marines. Both of his brothers served as officers, and his father reached the heights of Major General. David and his father were both involved in the Royal Marines support to the American War of Independence, and it is the 1775 successful attack on the American rebels at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill that earned the Royal Marines the motto "Per Mare Per Terram" (By Sea, By Land).
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In order to find the cache, you will need information obtained from successfully completing the Adventure Lab:
"In the Footsteps of Hobart's First Settlers"
P.S... Mr H of The Hancock Clan served for almost 18 years in the Royal Marines, and Mrs H comes from a family with a strong history of Royal Marines so you can imagine how excited we were to see this monument and to learn about the link with Tasmania!