Blue Plaque honours Syms Covington of HMS Beagle fame
A cabin boy who became an assistant to naturalist Charles Darwin in the 1800s is being recognised with a Blue Plaque in Pambula on the far south coast of NSW.
The Blue Plaque in honour of Simon “Syms” Covington, who lived from 1809 to 1861, is one of 14 that will be installed in the second round of the popular Blue Plaques NSW program. They will join 35 plaques already in place.
This plaque celebrates Covington’s legendary world travels aboard HMS Beagle and his foundational influence on Pambula, where he established the Forest Oak Inn, a general store and served as postmaster.
Syms Covington was an ordinary but enterprising man who is remembered for his work with one of the most famous figures of the 19th century – the naturalist Charles Darwin.
As fiddler and cabin boy of the British research and survey ship HMS Beagle, Covington spent five years at sea from 1831 to 1836 and became an integral part of one of the most important scientific voyages in history.
It was on this voyage that the young Charles Darwin began to develop his theory of evolution, later published in the ground-breaking work On the Origin of Species.
After emigrating to Sydney in 1839, Covington’s family moved to Pambula in 1848. Covington played an integral role in the community – establishing businesses such as an inn and general store, as well as serving as postmaster.
Covington built a residence that has been in constant use since 1856. The historic building is being restored by dedicated community members, including Mr Todd Wiebe who submitted this nomination for a Blue Plaque.
Heritage NSW is working with experts and potential property owners to finalise the plaque’s location and once installed it will be listed on the Blue Plaques NSW website www.blueplaques.nsw.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe:
“The second round Blue Plaques recognises the diverse individuals, events and perspectives that make the history of NSW so intriguing.
“Whether you’re exploring Sydney’s CBD or taking a drive off the beaten track to regional towns like Pambula, there’s a Blue Plaque for you to discover.
“The installation of each new plaque brings added interest to the heritage of an area, encouraging locals to explore their backyards, and inviting those from further afield to learn more about the history of these communities.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland:
“Pambula's Blue Plaque will pay homage to Syms Covington, weaving a narrative of one man's rise from humble beginnings to being inexorably linked to history.
“He has left an enduring mark on Pambula's history after his arrival in 1846. Establishing businesses such as the Forest Oak Inn and a general store, as well as serving as postmaster, Covington’s legacy continues with this Blue Plaque.
“Covington was more than a footnote to the story of Charles Darwin - his participation in some of the natural world's most important discoveries put his own name firmly in the history books.”
Full list of round two Blue Plaques
| Subject | Recognition | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Butler | A woman without formal engineering qualifications who had a central role in the development of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. | Sydney CBD |
| Emma Jane Callaghan | Aboriginal midwife, activist, nurse, and Indigenous Culture Recorder. | Phillip Bay, Sydney |
| Susan Katherina Schardt | Born blind, Schardt established the Commonwealth Home for Destitute Invalids, now known as Royal Rehab. | Ryde |
| Dorothy Simpson McGregor Drain | One of the first Australian female war correspondents, who reported on the Korean and Vietnam Wars. She was also a poet, columnist, and Editor of the Australian Women’s Weekly. | Glebe |
| Establishment of the first recorded life savers club | Founded in February 1907, the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club was the first recorded Surf Lifesaving Club in Australia. | Bondi |
| Sir William Dobell | A portrait and landscape artist and three-time winner of the Archibald Prize. | Wangi Wangi |
| Syms Covington | A cabin boy on the HMS Beagle who became assistant to Charles Darwin. Syms later worked as a businessman and postmaster in Pambula. | Pambula |
| Charmian Clift | A prolific writer and essayist. | Kiama |
| Pearl Mary Gibbs | A prominent female activist in the Aboriginal rights movement, Gibbs was heavily involved in the development of the Day of Mourning and the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. | Sydney CBD |
| Ioannis (Jack) and Antonios (Tony) Notaras | Greek immigrant businessmen known for establishing Grafton’s still-thriving Saraton Theatre. | Grafton |
| Beryl Mary McLaughlin | One of the first three women graduates of the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Architecture. | Wentworth Falls |
| Ken Thomas | Trucker and entrepreneur known for establishing the TNT transport empire and for his contributions to road safety. | Murrumburrah |
| Grace Emily Munro | Co-founder and first president of the Country Women’s Association. | Bingara |
| First release of myxomatosis | The CSIRO released myxomatosis in Balldale in 1950, to combat a severe rabbit problem. It was the world’s first successful biological program for control of a mammalian pest. | Balldale |