Development of the Colony By nsullivan1 Jan 1, 1823 John Oxley sent to look for new penal sites Period: Jan 1, 1823 to Dec 31, 1900 Queensland 1800s Jan 1, 1825 Moreton Bay Convict Settlement Established in Redcliffe Jan 1, 1838 German missionaries established the Zion Hill Mission Jan 1, 1842 The Morton Bay district is officially open for free settlement Jan 1, 1846 Queensland first newspaper was published, the Morton Bay Courier Dec 10, 1859 Queensland became a colony Jan 1, 1861 Queenslands first telegraph was established Jan 1, 1863 The Kanakas arrived to work in the cane fields Jan 1, 1865 Queensland first railway line was opened Jan 1, 1870 Free primary education was introduced in Queensland. Jan 1, 1893 Queen Victoria grants Queensland the Coat of Arms. Feb 15, 1897 The Aboriginal Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act is passed.