Australia Day – Convicts and Colonials

Posted on 26. Jan, 2010 by charles in Countries, Education, Travel

Early in 1788, old sailing boats arrived in Botany Bay, not far from what is now the Sydney International Airport. What a contrast! If only the original settlers to Australia could return today and see what has been achieved. Australia is now a thriving country of over 22 million people who, for the most part, enjoy a very high standard of living. I am currently writing a book called the Amazing People of Sydney, which will be published in May 2010.

Today, we celebrate Australia Day and remember those who came to these shores on that fateful day in 1788. It was January 19th, albeit we take the 26th as the anniversary as that was the day of Governor Phillip chose to settle  on the banks of the great Sydney Harbour)

For the native Aborigines, it was a fateful day as their traditional way of life was to change. Their lands were taken over by the people from Britain. In the first fleet, there were over 1400 people.

About half of them were alleged to be convicts. They were consigned to what was called the Great Southern Land to be out of sight and out of mind of the British authorities. The other half of the people who arrived were marines to guard the prisoners, seamen, government officials and some wives and children of those people.

The hero in my view was Captain Arthur Phillip. He had been plucked from relative obscurity to lead the greatest colonial settlement in history. After a nine month voyage, during which few people died on board, he set foot on what was called New South Wales, as the Governor of a new British colony. He must have been dismayed, despite seeing the beauty of the most magnificent harbour on Earth before his eyes. He was in charge of the largest open air prison in the world.

All the facilities had to be built from scratch. All institutions like a Court of Law and the establishment of churches and the regulation of business had to start afresh. To add to Captain Phillip’s troubles, the British Government deserted him and failed to send any supplies or support of two and a half years!

Despite great hardship, starvation, suffering and many deaths from malnutrition the settlers survived. Convicts served their seven and fourteen year sentences to become colonists. It was not till the 1840′s that the practice of sending convicts from Britain to Australia ceased. By then,  the colony was beginning to thrive, but Australia did not become a country till 1901. That was over 113 years from the first European settlement.

As one who chose to immigrate to Australia with my wife and my four children, I remember those who contributed so much over the years to build and develop this great country. Equally, we need to remember the Aboriginal history and the effect that colonial settlement has had on their traditional way of life. We now share this land and need to work together for the benefit of all the communities.

Thanks too jimmyharris for the use of his flickr Sydney photo and   http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/images/discover/history_nation/terra/firstfleet/ff24_a928087.jpg for use of the Captain Phillip oogle photo

Tags: Australia, Captain Arthur Phillip, Convicts