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First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands), but they didn't settle there
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Captain James Cook sailed around Australia
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British ships called the “First Fleet” left England with convicts to establish a prison colony.
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British prisoners settled in Australia.
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remnants of the tribes in the settled areas were moved onto reserves.
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New South Wales was officially a penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of convicts, marines (guards), and the marines’ families.
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it was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals--those who were secondary offenders having re-offended after their arrival in Australia.
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government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today.
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the Commonwealth of Australia was established.
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Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed