Colony of New South Wales

Quick Facts: Who was Colony of New South Wales?

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Colony of New South Wales

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British Crown colony that formed the core of modern Australia until 1901.

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Origins & Early Life

The Colony of New South Wales was a self-governing Crown colony within the British Empire that existed from 7 February 1788 until 1 January 1901, when it federated to become a state of the Commonwealth of Australia. At its greatest extent, the colony included the present-day Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, as well as the Northern Territory and New Zealand. Responsible government in New South Wales was achieved on 6 June 1856 with Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson appointed by Governor Sir William Denison as its first Colonial Secretary. On 18 January 1788, the First Fleet led by Captain Arthur Phillip founded the first British settlement in Australian history as a penal colony. Having set sail on 13 May 1787, Captain Arthur Phillip assumed the role of governor of the settlement upon arrival.

Career & Major Achievements

On 18 January 1788, the first ship of the First Fleet, HMS Supply, with Phillip aboard, reached Botany Bay. However, Botany Bay was found to be unsuitable by Phillip. After Phillip led the exploration of Port Jackson, he sailed and reached Sydney Cove on the night of 25 January 1788. On the morning of 26 January, men on board this ship went ashore and started clearing land for a camp. In the afternoon-evening, they erected a flag pole, raised the Union Jack, and the officers ashore made toasts to the Royal Family and the success of the colony.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Probably some, or all, ships of the First Fleet were present for the flag raising. On the morning of 27 January, all the fit male convicts, marines, and likely some ships' crew went ashore to establish the camp and find food. The female convicts came ashore on 6 February 1788. About midday on 7 February, the convicts, marines and others who were staying were gathered by the Governor for the reading of the proclamation of New South Wales and a long reading of the rights of the convicts and others. Thus, the Colony of New South Wales was formally proclaimed on 7 February 1788.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1787: 1787 Milestone — Having set sail on 13 May 1787, Captain Arthur Phillip assumed the role of governor of the settlement upon arrival.
2. 1788: 1788 Milestone — The Colony of New South Wales was a self-governing Crown colony within the British Empire that existed from 7 February 1788 until 1 January 1901, when it federated to become a state of the Commonwealth of Australia.
3. 1856: 1856 Milestone — Responsible government in New South Wales was achieved on 6 June 1856 with Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson appointed by Governor Sir William Denison as its first Colonial Secretary.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Colony of New South Wales

True or False: “Did New South Wales immediately achieve full self-governance upon its founding in 1788?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The colony faced extreme difficulty in its earliest years and did not achieve responsible government until 1856.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Alberto Giacometti — Historical peer (Born in 1901) (1901): Swiss master of existential sculpture, known for elongated, fragile human figures.
• Arthur Schopenhauer — Historical peer (Born in 1788) (1788): Pioneering philosopher known for 'The World as Will and Representation' and philosophical pessimism.
• Augustin-Jean Fresnel — Historical peer (Born in 1788) (1788): Pioneering optical physicist known for the wave theory of light and the invention of the Fresnel lens.
• Alfred Deakin — Historical peer (Born in 1856) (1856): Father of Australian Federation and second Prime Minister of Australia.
• Amedeo Avogadro — Historical peer (Died in 1856) (1856): Pioneering Italian scientist known for Avogadro's law on gas volumes and molecular theory.
• Alphonsus Liguori — Historical peer (Died in 1787) (1787): Italian bishop, theologian, and founder of the Redemptorists.
• Carl Friedrich Abel — Historical peer (Died in 1787) (1787): German composer of the early Classical era, renowned for viola da gamba works.

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