Stuart anniversaries

The first anniversary dinner held in celebration of the feats of John McDouall Stuart was held 25 July 1883, 21 years after the successful crossing of the Australian continent.

By then the group of explorers was no longer complete: Stuart himself died in 1866, William Kekwick, his able second-in-command in 1872. James Frew died in 1877. Stuart's two chief sponsors had also died, James Chambers in 1862 before news of Stuart's success had reached him, and William Finke in 1864. John Chambers, James' younger brother, was the one who suggested the dinner. The anniversary dinners continued for many years, but gradually the numbers dwindled; some members moving to the country, others overseas. WP Auld lasted until 1912 and was able to celebrate the 50th anniversary, and receive the gold watch presented to surviving members. Only Stephen King Jnr (died 1915) and John William Billiatt (died 1919 in England) outlasted him.