History of Australia...

  • Captain Cook claims Australia for the British

  • First colony built in Sydney Cove

  • First free settlers arrive for a new life in Australia

  • New colony set up for convicts on Tasmania settlers soon follow

  • A new province is set up, called Victoria

  • Now, about half the people living in Australia were born there

  • Gold discovered in Australia, even more settlers arrive. Population now nearly half a million

  • Four of the five provinces of Australia granted 'self-government. They manage most of their own affairs but are still part of the British Empire.

  • Queensland, the last colony to de created, comes into existence.

  • Over 80% of Australians were born there. The six colonies met to establish rules for governing Australia as a unified and independent country from Britain.

  • Now all six provinces are "self governing"

  • Australia becomes a Commonwealth and a Federation with its own Parliament, but the British monarch remains the head of state.