Australia

Australia Time Line

1542	The coast of Australia was thought to have been traced by the Portuguese.
1548	Discovery of the Fifth World--which includes Australia.
1606	One of the first explorations of the Australian coast.
1770	Captain James Cook discovered Botany Bay--near Sydney--on Australia's eastern coast.
1783	Britain begins to send convicts to the island of Australia because of a problem with their overflowing prisons.
1788	Arrival of the first free settlers to Sydney.

This statue shows Western influence in the colonies that became part of Britain's commonwealth.

1810	Establishment of a government bank in Australia.
1834	Australia was established as a colony of the United Kingdom.
1840	Australia became self-governing.
1851	Australasian League was Formed--it served as a forerunner for a federation. Gold was discovered which resulted in gold rushes similar to that of the Forty-Niners rush in California.
1852	Opening of the University of Sydney.
1897	Drafting of the Federal Constitution--which resembled that of the United States.
1901	Australia became part of the Commonwealth.
1973	Opening day of the Sydney Opera House--a popular attraction and entertainment center.
1981	Completion of the Sydney Tower--which offers a "birds-eye" view of the city of Sydney.

This shows a harbour with the Opera House underneath the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Tower, which resembles the Seattle Space Needle, to the right of the bridge.

Australia Fact Sheet

Australia is a diverse country with the coexistence of Aborigines, British, and Asians, among others, but the loyalty to the United Kingdom is supplemented by the fact that white Australians are about 95% British descent.
Australia set examples for the rest of the world considering the right for women to vote and the use of secret ballots.
Formed a Federation with the United Kingdom, much like Canada, because of its large size, internal variety and large number of colonial governments.
The role of the Crown in government is purely ceremonial, one of her representatives signs all acts of Australian Parliament.
Australia has the opportunity to appeal to the British Privy Council, although they have not used this option for decades.
In the early 1800s Australia was known as "sheep country", then in the late 1800s it became known for its gold.
Australia's main exports are related to agriculture and they have to import textiles and other industrial products.
Australia is now well known for its location near the Great Barrier Reef and its various marine life.

This sculpture shows the interaction between humans and marine life.

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