SWAN RIVER COLONYSWAN RIVER COLONY

►The first recorded Europeans to sight the The first recorded Europeans to sight the land where Perth is now located were land where Perth is now located were the Dutch.the Dutch.

►Most likely the first visitor to the Swan Most likely the first visitor to the Swan River area was Frederick de Houtman in River area was Frederick de Houtman in 1619.1619.

►His records indicate he first reached the His records indicate he first reached the Western Australian coast at latitude Western Australian coast at latitude 32°20' which would equate to Rottnest 32°20' which would equate to Rottnest or just south of there. He did not land or just south of there. He did not land because of heavy surf, and so proceeded because of heavy surf, and so proceeded northwards without much investigation. northwards without much investigation.

The Batavia exhibition at the Fremantle The Batavia exhibition at the Fremantle Maritime MuseumMaritime Museum

This is Andre! Died a miserable death on board the ship.

Dutch artefacts from the 17Dutch artefacts from the 17thth and 18 and 18thth centuries.centuries.

Circa June 1801.Circa June 1801.

These Instructions from the Colonial These Instructions from the Colonial Secretary order the occupation and Secretary order the occupation and

formal possession of western Australia formal possession of western Australia effected by Captain Fremantle of the effected by Captain Fremantle of the

HMS HMS ChallengerChallenger on 2 May 1829. on 2 May 1829.

They are too difficult to read clearly.They are too difficult to read clearly.

► In May 1829 Charles Fremantle, captain In May 1829 Charles Fremantle, captain of the ship Challenger, took possession of the ship Challenger, took possession of the western part of Australia for of the western part of Australia for Britain. Britain.

►On 1 June 1829 James Stirling arrived in On 1 June 1829 James Stirling arrived in the Parmelia with seventy settlers to the Parmelia with seventy settlers to found the Swan River Colony, which found the Swan River Colony, which later became known as Perth. later became known as Perth.

►Western Australian's now celebrate the Western Australian's now celebrate the first Monday in June as their first Monday in June as their Foundation Day holiday. Foundation Day holiday.

►Although the state was founded by free Although the state was founded by free settlers, Britain sent convicts there settlers, Britain sent convicts there from 1850 to 1868 to help overcome a from 1850 to 1868 to help overcome a labour shortage. Many buildings, labour shortage. Many buildings, including Perth Town Hall, were built by including Perth Town Hall, were built by convicts.convicts.

The following painting on the The following painting on the next slidenext slide

►Captain Stirling's exploring party 50 Captain Stirling's exploring party 50 miles up the Swan River, Western miles up the Swan River, Western Australia, March, 1827 [picture] Australia, March, 1827 [picture]

► Settlers and nearby Indigenous communities Settlers and nearby Indigenous communities soon fell into conflict - mostly over land. In a soon fell into conflict - mostly over land. In a free settler colony, land is vital for the colony's free settler colony, land is vital for the colony's continued existence and growth, particularly continued existence and growth, particularly land suitable for farming. land suitable for farming.

► Settlers arriving at the Swan River Colony were Settlers arriving at the Swan River Colony were granted land according the amount of granted land according the amount of property, equipment and animals they brought property, equipment and animals they brought with them. Thinking there would be plenty to with them. Thinking there would be plenty to go round, the colonisers seized land rapidly. go round, the colonisers seized land rapidly.

► There was little consideration for the presence There was little consideration for the presence of Indigenous communities on these lands or of Indigenous communities on these lands or the existence of Indigenous sacred sites. the existence of Indigenous sacred sites.

► The result was immediate conflict and a forced The result was immediate conflict and a forced retreat of Indigenous people eastward.retreat of Indigenous people eastward.

Battle of PinjarraBattle of Pinjarra Pinjarra was established by a Perth Pinjarra was established by a Perth

businessman in 1830 and, with its businessman in 1830 and, with its fertile soils and pastures, quickly fertile soils and pastures, quickly

attracted settlers. Local Indigenous attracted settlers. Local Indigenous people camped outside the people camped outside the

settlement, launching random settlement, launching random attacks and protests. Governor attacks and protests. Governor

Stirling led an expedition to the camp Stirling led an expedition to the camp with policemen and armed soldiers. with policemen and armed soldiers. They opened fire indiscriminately. They opened fire indiscriminately.

Those Indigenous people who Those Indigenous people who retreated were ambushed by another retreated were ambushed by another

group of soldiers who also opened group of soldiers who also opened fire. A total of 30 people were killed fire. A total of 30 people were killed including two women and a child.including two women and a child.

CONVICTS IN FREMANTLECONVICTS IN FREMANTLE

18291829 Capt C.H. Fremantle claimed the west coast of Australia for the British crown. First settlers Capt C.H. Fremantle claimed the west coast of Australia for the British crown. First settlers landed.landed.

18311831 Round House built for use as gaol; first school opened.Round House built for use as gaol; first school opened.

18331833 First town plan of Fremantle by Surveyor-General J.S.Roe.First town plan of Fremantle by Surveyor-General J.S.Roe.

18371837 Two whaling companies operating at Bathers Bay. Construction of small breakwater and tunnel Two whaling companies operating at Bathers Bay. Construction of small breakwater and tunnel under Round House for transport of goods.under Round House for transport of goods.

18481848 Fremantle Town Trust established (Capt. Daniel Scott, Chairman).Fremantle Town Trust established (Capt. Daniel Scott, Chairman).

18501850 First convicts arrived aboard First convicts arrived aboard Scindian Scindian (June).(June).

18511851 Construction of Fremantle Prison began. Fremantle Literary Institute established.Construction of Fremantle Prison began. Fremantle Literary Institute established.

18611861 Construction of Fremantle Lunatic Asylum began; building completed 1865.Construction of Fremantle Lunatic Asylum began; building completed 1865.

18661866 Convict labour used to build first bridge over river at Fremantle.Convict labour used to build first bridge over river at Fremantle.

18681868 Last convicts arrived aboard Last convicts arrived aboard Hougoumont.Hougoumont.

Arguably the Arguably the most most

significant significant legacy left legacy left by Roe was by Roe was the setting the setting

aside of aside of Kings Park. Kings Park.

The development of PerthThe development of Perth

►The following slides contain well know The following slides contain well know buildings in and around Perth which buildings in and around Perth which were built in the early days of the were built in the early days of the colony.colony.

Perth’s oldest public building – Perth’s oldest public building – The Old Courthouse (1836)The Old Courthouse (1836)

St. John’s Pro Cathedral St. John’s Pro Cathedral (1843)(1843)

Old Perth Boy’s School on St. Old Perth Boy’s School on St. George’s Tce (1854)George’s Tce (1854) Now the National Trust Buildings Now the National Trust Buildings

Perth Gaol (1856) Perth Gaol (1856) Now part of the Museum!Now part of the Museum!

Cloisters (1858)– Served as Cloisters (1858)– Served as Perth’s first boy’s Secondary Perth’s first boy’s Secondary

SchoolSchool

The Deanery (1859) The Deanery (1859) Residence of the first Dean of Residence of the first Dean of

Perth.Perth.

The Archbishop’s Palace The Archbishop’s Palace (1860) (1860)

Built for the Catholic Archbishops.Built for the Catholic Archbishops.

Barracks Arch (1863)Barracks Arch (1863)

Government House (1859-Government House (1859-1864)1864)

Trinity Church (1865)Trinity Church (1865)

St. Mary’s Cathedral (1865)St. Mary’s Cathedral (1865)

Perth Town Hall (1868)Perth Town Hall (1868)

Wesley Church (1870)Wesley Church (1870)

Central Government Offices Central Government Offices (1874) (1874)

The Weld Club (1892)The Weld Club (1892)

Perth Railway Station (1892)Perth Railway Station (1892)

The Palace Hotel (1894)The Palace Hotel (1894)

The Perth Mint (1899)The Perth Mint (1899)