Development of the Colony By jbloxsom Jan 1, 1823 John Oxley Period: Jan 1, 1823 to Dec 31, 1900 Development of the Colony Jan 1, 1825 Moreton Bay Convict Settlement Jan 1, 1838 German Missionaries Jan 1, 1842 Moreton Bay Becomes a free settlement Jan 1, 1846 Queenslands first newspaper Dec 10, 1859 The proclamation establishing the Colony of Queensland Jan 1, 1863 The Kanakas People arrive in Queensland