Changes

The mainland of Australia was found by [[Holland|Dutch]] sailors heading to the spice isles of what is now [[Indonesia]] in the 16th Century.  Most of their descriptions of Australia are based on the exploration of the North West coast which is very rugged and inhospitable.  It wasn't until 1770 that [[Captain James Cook]] from [[England]] discovered the east coast of Australia which is much more capable of maintaining life and settlers.  In 1788 the [[First Fleet]] arrived at Sydney Cove, [[New South Wales]] - comprising of officers, some free settlers and convicts.  A number of later fleets settled convict areas around what is now [[Sydney Harbour]].

The mainland of Australia was found by [[Holland|Dutch]] sailors heading to the spice isles of what is now [[Indonesia]] in the 16th Century.  Most of their descriptions of Australia are based on the exploration of the North West coast which is very rugged and inhospitable.  It wasn't until 1770 that [[Captain James Cook]] from [[England]] discovered the east coast of Australia which is much more capable of maintaining life and settlers.  In 1788 the [[First Fleet]] arrived at Sydney Cove, [[New South Wales]] - comprising of officers, some free settlers and convicts.  A number of later fleets settled convict areas around what is now [[Sydney Harbour]].

 

While not having their own standing army, Australian settlers were quick to volunteer for service as irregulars in the British imperial campaigns, such as the 1796 invasion of New Zealand. As the 18th century came to a close convicts were given land packages and more free settlers came to the land in the hope of setting up farms and businesses.  A number of colonies started to be formed - the most populated being New South Wales (whose capital city is Sydney). These colonies later became the states.

As the 18th century came to a close convicts were given land packages and more free settlers came to the land in the hope of setting up farms and businesses.  A number of colonies started to be formed - the most populated being New South Wales (whose capital city is Sydney). These colonies later became the states.

The 1850s saw the discovery of gold and large number of people moved to Australia to find new wealth.  Most of these people were British and there was a significant number of Chinese immigrants during this rush. "Americans were drawn to Australia to participate in various enterprises such as the gold fields" <ref>[http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/comm-summ/textversion/usa.htm| Australian Dept of Immigration and Citizenship]</ref>

The 1850s saw the discovery of gold and large number of people moved to Australia to find new wealth.  Most of these people were British and there was a significant number of Chinese immigrants during this rush. "Americans were drawn to Australia to participate in various enterprises such as the gold fields" <ref>[http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/comm-summ/textversion/usa.htm| Australian Dept of Immigration and Citizenship]</ref>