The Cornish
Association of
Western Australia Inc.
(Re-Established 1991)
Cornish Culture
Who are the Cornish?
Cornwall is a small Celtic nation, now part of the United Kingdom, which for hundreds of years retained its own unique identity, including its own language. Its population today is about 470,000 (similar to Tasmania). In the boom times of the 18th and 19th centuries Cornwall supplied an industrialising world with vital minerals such as copper and tin, and sent thousands of its sons and daughters to the far corners of the world with their expert mining and engineering skills.
The descendants of these people probably number nearly 2 million in places such as North America, Australia, New Zealand and may others. Cornish innovation was renowned and the men like Richard Trevithick (inventor of the steam locomotive) reflected their kinfolk's energy. The saying that `at the bottom of every hold you'll find a Cornishman' was not too far wrong. Men and women, their value to Australia has been enormous.
Examples of Australians with a Cornish background ... either by Cornish birth, descent or surnames:
James Ruse
Bob Hawke
Captain Bligh
Ian Chappell
Elizabeth McCarthur
Hugh Treharne
Sir Thomas Blamey
Shane Warne
Sir Robert Menzies
The Hon. John Tresize Tonkin
Don Dunstan
Sir David Brand
Over 3% of our nation's population have significant Cornish ancestry according to Dr. Charles Price, an eminent demographer from the Australian National University in Canberra.
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2002-2004 Anne and Bret Busby
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