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First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands) in 1606, but they didn't settle there. The Dutch made one landing, were attacked by Aborigines, and then abandoned further exploration
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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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New South Wales was officially a penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of convicts, marines (guards), and the marines' families.
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From 1833, until the 1850s, 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 in 1927
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Federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines.
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Australia Act -- all legal ties with the British Empire were severed.
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55% of voters rejected the idea of becoming an independant republic