Timeline of Australian Catholicism By adrian del santos Dec 24, 1606 1606 Spanish naval captain Pedro Fernandez de Quiros calls Vanuatu "La Australia del Spiritu Santo" - Southland of the Holy Spirit Dec 24, 1642 1642 Abel Tasman discovers what is now called Tasmania, but which he called Van Diemen's Land. Dec 24, 1778 1778 Arrival of First Fleet at Sydney Cove Dec 24, 1778 1778 Possibly first Mass was said on Australian soil during this year by Fr. Receveur Dec 24, 1803 1803 First public Mass said by Fr. Dixon Dec 24, 1820 1820 Frs. Therry and Conolly, the first official priests arrive Dec 24, 1821 1821 Construction of first Catholic church at Richmond, Tasmania Dec 24, 1835 1835 Bede Polding becomes Australia's first Catholic bishop Dec 24, 1838 1838 Arrival of Caroline Chisholm in Australia Dec 24, 1848 1848 The Catholic Church in Australia is divided into provinces and dioceses Dec 24, 1851 1851 Beginning of the Gold Rush Dec 24, 1861 1861 Mercy Sisters arrive in Queensland Dec 24, 1866 1866 Mary McKillop and Fr. Julian Tenison Woods found Sisters of St. Joseph Dec 24, 1880 1880 Death of Ned Kelly Dec 24, 1895 1895 Banjo Paterson writes the words to "Waltzing Matilda" Dec 24, 1909 1909 Death of Mary McKillop Dec 24, 1914 1914 Beginning of First World War Dec 24, 1932 1932 Sydney Harbour Bridge completed Dec 24, 1939 1939 Beginning of World War II
