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Where do we put the Convicts??
In Britain, the Industrial Revolution had caused a loss of jobs. Therefore, people had little money. This caused a lot of suffering, some people would steal from others to get money. This caused a lot of people to have to go to jail. Britain ran out of space to put their convicts, they couldn't go to America because America had won their War of Independence. The government looked in Captain Cook's Diary and he spoke of a place called Botany Bay. -
Significant person in sending the convicts to Australia
A significant person in sending the convicts to Australia was the British Prime Minister at the time, William Pitt. His government decided to colonise Australia with criminals, under the command of Arthur Phillip. It was a big risk coming to Australia. The land was not very suitable and was already occupied by the Aboriginals. The government also took the risk of sending 11 ships with countless convicts on them, across the sea for 32-40 days hoping they'd make it to Australia. -
The British arrive in Sydney Cove
For thousands of years, Aboriginals lived in Australia under their own rules, laws and land rights, but this all changed with the invasion of the British. British colonisation of Australia meant new laws for all people. -
Significant person in British Colonisation of Australia
Captain Arthur Phillip led the First Fleet. As soon as the first fleet arrived, they started colonising Aboriginal land. Arthur Phillip had ordered the Aboriginals to be well treated. However, this was ignored by many of the British colonisers. They didn't understand each other's cultures and often stole from each other, and caused harm to each other. -
Significant people in British/ Aboriginal Relationships
After Captain Phillip got speared, he still wanted to be friends with the Aboriginals to learn about their culture and to teach them English. Bennelong was one of the first Aboriginals captured. He was different, because he built a good friendship with Captain Phillip and later on, sailed to England with him. (Today, the Opera House sits on Bennelong Point). -
The spearing of Governor Phillip
Governor Phillip was going down to Collins Cove (which is now known as Manly Cove) to find Bennelong and Colbee, two Aboriginals that had escaped captivity. A native was with them, he had a spear and he injured Captain Phillip's collarbone. -
Australia's Second Governor is Appointed
In 1795 Captain John Hunter became the second Governor of Australia. He was in office until 1800. -
Significant Person in Australia's Early History
Captain John Hunter was Australia's second Governor. He had travelled with Arthur Phillip and then returned to England. He applied to be the Governor of New South Wales after Phillip resigned. It was not easy when Hunter arrived back in Australia. Many things had changed, the convicts had been treated badly. Hunter was responsible for exploring country areas of Sydney. -
Old Government House
In 1799, Old Government House was beginning to be built. Today, Old Government House is still significant and is on the World Heritage List because of its link to convict transportation. -
Significant person in building government house
John Hunter was a significant person in the building of Old Government House at Parramatta. Sydney had crime and the land was not good for growing crops, so they went to live in Parramatta. Old Government House was built in 1799 to 1816. It was the house for 10 Governors over 7 decades.
