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Captain James Cook claims Australia for the British
He landed on the east coast of Australia at Botany Bay and he called the whole area "New South Wales". -
First colony built in Sydney Cove
It's a penal colony, that is to say that workers were English prisoners brought by boat to empty the British prisons. -
First free settlers arrive in Australia
They were attracted by the idea of a new life in another part of the world. -
New colony set up for convicts on Tasmania.
Free settlers soon follow, they brought the supplies and skills needed to help the settlement survive. -
By now, about half the people living in Australia were born there
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Victoria is set up.
This new province is named after Queen Victoria. -
Gold discovered in Auistralia.
Even more settlers arrive by the idea of becoming rich. Population now nearly half a million. -
Four of the five provinces of Australia granted "self-governement".
They manage most of their own affairs but are still part of the British Empire. -
Queensland comes into existence.
It's the last colony to be created. -
Australian Federation Convention
Now over 80% of the people in Australia were born there. The six colonies meet to draw up a set of rules about how to run Australia as a united country, independent of Britain. -
The "Commonwealth of Australia" comes into existence.
All the territories form one "Federation" with its own Parliament. But the British monarch remains the head of state. -
By now all six provinces or territories are "self-governing".
This year marks the birth of a nation.