Lesson 1
First Australians, 1788, the gold rush and Federation.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia's first inhabitants, with cultures that go back tens of thousands of years. At many events you will hear a Welcome to Country, which can only be given by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of that land, or an Acknowledgement of Country, which anyone can give. In the 1967 Referendum, Australians voted overwhelmingly to count Aboriginal people in the national census and to let the Commonwealth make laws for them.
The First Fleet arrived from Great Britain on 26 January 1788 and landed at Sydney Cove. Its commander, Captain Arthur Phillip, became the first Governor of New South Wales, the first British colony. Britain sent convicts because its laws were harsh and its jails were overcrowded. Gold was discovered in New South Wales and Victoria in 1851, starting the gold rush; Chinese people became the first large group of migrants from outside Europe. Today people from more than 200 countries have made Australia home.
On 1 January 1901 the six colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia Day, 26 January, marks the arrival of the First Fleet; on Australia Day the Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra. Anzac Day, 25 April, commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli in 1915 and honours all who have served.
Answer: The landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli. Anzac Day is commemorated on 25 April each year. It is named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which landed at Gallipoli in Türkiye during World War I.
Answer: An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local region. A Welcome to Country is a cultural practice performed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local region.
Answer: It allowed Aboriginal people to be included in the census. In the 1967 Referendum, more than 90 per cent of Australians voted 'Yes' to allow Aboriginal peoples to be counted in the Census.
Answer: Anyone can deliver an Acknowledgement of Country. Anyone can deliver an Acknowledgement of Country, usually delivered as part of the Welcome and Housekeeping at meetings and events.
Answer: 26 January. On 26 January each year, we celebrate Australia Day. It is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain in 1788.
Answer: The Australian colonies united into a federation called the Commonwealth of Australia. On 1 January 1901, the colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia.
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