There was no urgent necessity for Victoria to equip and send forth an exploring expedition.

Her rich and compact little province was known from end to end, and she had no surplus territory in which to open up fresh fields of pastoral occupation for her sons.

But her people became possessed with the exploring spirit, and the planning and execution of the scheme was a signal indication of national patriotism.

And if sense and not sentiment had marked the counsel, the results might have conferred rich benefit upon Australia.
The necessary funds were made up as follows: 6,000 pounds voted by Government; 1,000 pounds presented by Mr.Ambrose Kyte; and the balance of the first expenditure of 12,000 pounds made up by public subscription.
But the final cost of the expedition and of the relief parties amounted to 57,000 pounds.

And the exploratory work done by the different relief parties far and away exceeded in geographical results the small amount effected by the original expedition.
A committee of management was appointed, and to his interest with this committee Burke owed his elevation to the position of leader.