Australia By Tamiah Holmes Jan 1, 1606 First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands) in 1606 Jan 1, 1770 Captain James Cook sailed around Australia Jan 1, 1787 British ships called the “First Fleet” left England with convicts to establish a prison colony Jan 1, 1788 British prisoners settled in Australia Jan 1, 1832 New South Wales was officially a penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of convicts, marines (guards), and the marines’ families Jan 1, 1861 government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today Jan 1, 1901 the Commonwealth of Australia was established. Jan 1, 1901 Immigration Restriction Act : restricted migration to people primarily of European descent Jan 1, 1967 federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines 1967: federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines Jan 1, 1986 Australia Act -- all legal ties with the British Empire were severed
