The Friends of the Laperouse Museum Inc. is a community organisation and a foundation member of The Laperouse International Network, dedicated to the preservation of the Bicentennial Gift from the Australian French community by way of the Laperouse Museum commemorating the voyage of Jean-François de Galaup Comte de Lapérouse.

The Laperouse voyage of discovery aimed to complete the charting of the Pacific Ocean's lands commenced by Captain James Cook.

The Friends' office is located within the historic Cable Station complex that houses the Laperouse Museum. We are a key stakeholder and active member of Randwick Council's La Perouse Museum and Headland Trust - represented by our President Carol Abela.

Original anchor from 1788 French expedition now on display at The Laperouse Museum.

See the video here —> Link

UPCOMING EVENTS

Events

Enrichment Lectures 2026

Saturday 24 October 2026   1:30 pm La Perouse Museum

Keeping adversaries at bay: fortifying La Perouse and Botany Bay

Since the first cultural encounters of 1770, Botany Bay has faced many potential threats from overseas adversaries. Among the earliest European structures built on the site of La Perouse was a stockade. Through the late nineteenth century and well into the twentieth, increasingly elaborate fortifications appeared at Bare Island, Henry Head and Cape Banks. They were variously designed to fend off American, French, Russian, Japanese and German warships, as part of a larger strategy to defend the New South Wales coastline. But what specific risks were posed in Botany Bay – and might La Perouse ever have been an invasion beach? Drawing upon historical, archaeological and heritage sources, this presentation explores the hype, practicalities and problems of fortifying the approaches to Australia’s most famous bay.

Dr Peter Hobbins is a public historian and curator, based at the State Library of NSW. He has worked extensively alongside archaeologists and heritage consultants, with a particular interest in coastal defence fortifications along the NSW coastline. Peter’s broader expertise lies in the histories of science, technology and medicine. He is also an Honorary Research Fellow in History at the University of Sydney, Treasurer of the Australian Historical Association and Editor of the maritime history journal, The Great Circle. Peter comes highly commended as an engaging presenter.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday 24 October 2026, starting 1.00pm at the La Perouse Museum

 Annual Pere Receveur Commemoration Mass

Sunday 14 February 2027 11.30am on the lawns of the La Perouse Museum.

Limited parking available. The 390X bus runs at 10 minute intervals from Bondi Junction via Randwick, Maroubra Junction and Malabar to La Perouse.

All welcome.

Inquiries: St Andrew’s Malabar 93111 2062.

Recent Events:

On Saturday 14 February 2026, Ron Moylan, delivered Dive on the wrecks at Vanikoro

On Saturday 07 February 2026, wife and husband team Pam Forbes and Greg Jackson, delivered Science on the Endeavour

On Saturday 01 November 2025, Renowned Artist Pamela Griffith OAM delivered the Pierre Roussel Memorial Lecture.

On Saturday 17 February 2024, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC delivered the Pierre Roussel Memorial Lecture.
Copy of Her Excellency’s speech: Click here.

On Sunday 18 February, the Annual Pere Receveur Commemoration Mass was celebrated on the verandah of the La Perouse Museum. Thank you to Randwick City Council for the marquee, the Seaside Lions for their sausage sizzle; and cold water provided by the Friends.

On Saturday 9 March, an informal social function was held during which visiting historian, Hubert Sagnières, related and discussed some of his passions, knowledge and experiences of French explorers.

Hubert graciously donated a copy of his book, Daring French Explorations: Trailblazing Adventures around the World: 1714-1854, Featuring Bougainville, Lapérouse, Dumont d’Urville, and more.

 Refer ‘Past Events’ page for complete the list of events.

Visit the Museum’s webpage http://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/buildings/la-perouse-museum