So, what were the chain of events which led to people travelling thousands of miles from their homes, to establish a new colony? James Cook sailed along the east coast in a ship called the Endeavour in 1769-70, on a trip which was to have very great historical implications. It was based on his reports that the first fleet set off under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, in the year of 1787. It was this fleet who officially founded the first settlement upon their arrival in 1788. The Australia we know today has its earliest roots back in that year. The first settlement was established at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson The arriving party consisted of over 1,000 people, including the first convicts to be sent on this long trek across the world.

As can be imagined, it was difficult to establish a sense of stability. This was after all, a completely new land, which had never been developed by Europeans. Like with all of the other capital cities, which were to be established at various later dates, the first settlers in Port Jackson were reliant upon the surveys of navigators who had passed these spots on previous occasions.

The surveys and charts which were used could really only give an impression of the suitability of an area for settlement. Once they arrived, the settlers had to decide exactly where the site for their town was to be. Indeed, Melbourne is the only State capital whose site was actually chosen prior to being occupied.

It was imperative that these early settlers work hard and ensure that they became self sufficient as quickly as possible. Supplies which they had brought with them would eventually run out, and it was essential for their survival that they become a productive community.

It is perhaps hard for us to imagine what their existence would have been like. Modern man has become reliant on convenience shops and services at our fingertips. These early settlers had to develop a society from its core, establishing the necessary structures for their survival. And indeed they were successful, for by about 1815 the population of their settlement in Sydney was 13,000.

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