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First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands) but they didn't settle
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Captain John Cook sailed around Australia,he named the area New Soth Wales,ignored the Aborigines living there and claimed the land for England
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British ships called the "First Fleet" left England with convicts to establish a prison colony
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New South Wales was officialy a penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of convicts,marines (guards),and the marines' families
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British prisoners settled in Australia
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It was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals,those who were secondary offenders,having re-offened 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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British stopped transporting prisoners to Australia
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The commonwealth of Australia was established
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Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed
