Some History about Australia

Some history about Sydney Australia

The history of Australia began when The First Fleet, commissioned by Thomas Townshend, Baron Sydney, set sail for Botany Bay on May 13, 1787. Led by Captain Arthur Phillip

They arrived at Botany Bay on the 18th of January, where upon anchoring, it was discovered there was no fresh water locally available. When the rest of the fleet arrived early on the 19th, much to Phillip’s surprise, it was decided to go further north, to Port Jackson (now known as Sydney Harbour).

A formal flag raising ceremony was held by Arthur Phillip on the shore to proclaim the Colony of New South Wales, in the name of the King of England on the 26th of January, 1788. This day is now celebrated as Australia Day.

Captain Arthur Phillip was later to name the cove they landed at Sydney Cove, in honor of Thomas Townshend, Baron Sydney (1733-1800), the minister responsible for the Colony, with later usage dropping the word ’Cove’.

The convicts and soldiers put tents to live in around the harbour, which is now called The Rocks, it is a historical turned shopping area, on the opposite side Captain Arthur Philip put his tent up which is close to where The Sydney Opera House is now,

There is Cadmans Cottage which was built in 1816 as barracks for the crew of the governer's boats and Fort Dennison which was built around 1855 to protect Sydney during the Crimean War

The Queen Victoria Building (known as the Q.V.B) which was built in 1898 as an area to buy food supplies, in the building is a Wishing Well with a statue of Queen Victoria that was given to Sydney from The people of Ireland. The Queen Victoria Building was re-furbished in 1985 and is now a major shopping and office area