The Catholic Church In Australia By 48165 Jan 24, 1788 The First Fleet arrives In Sydney Cove Apr 4, 1791 First Irish convicts transported to Botany Bay Apr 4, 1803 First official public Mass is held under strict Government supervision and is celebrated by prisoner priest, Fr Dixon Apr 4, 1804 Castle Hill Rebellion results in Fr Dixon's permit to conduct Mass being withdrawn Apr 5, 1820 Father Conolly leaves for Hobart leaving Fr John Therry the only priest on mainland Australia Apr 5, 1822 Fr Therry founds the first Catholic school on Hunter Street, Parramatta Apr 5, 1829 Penal laws preventing Catholics holding Government positions ends Apr 5, 1830 Father Power dies Apr 5, 1840 Transportation of convicts to New South Wales is suspended Apr 5, 1862 The NSW Government passes a bill to abolish State aid to religion Apr 5, 1867 Mary MacKillop becomes the first Sister and Mother Superior of the Sisters of St Joseph Apr 5, 1909 Death of Mother Mary MacKillop Apr 5, 1922 Formation of the Catholic Teachers' Federation Apr 5, 1929 James Scullin becomes Australia's first Catholic prime minister Apr 5, 1970 Pope Paul VI makes the first-ever Papal visit to Australia Apr 5, 1986 Pope John Paul II visits Australia. Apr 5, 2005 Death of much loved, Pope John Paul II. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is elected Pope Benedict XVI