Australian History

John Harman

Most English speaking people consider Australia the 'convict colony'. Rascals, ruffians, prostitutes, pimps, pickpockets and thieves - not a bad cast to start a great country. The history of a country, and also the evolution of its culture, is a complex web. I hope to spin that web with Aussie yarns about the short but colourful history of Australia.


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Australian History

The Bushranger-Matthew Brady

The forests and mountains of the Island state of Australia, were home to its lesser known colourful outlaws.

The Convict Artist

There were many 'gentleman' convicts who contributed greatly to the foundation of Australia.

Bushrangers – 1 Continued.

The end of Michael Howe, the bushranger.

The Bushrangers - 1

The story of bushranging in Australia is one of the most fascinating areas of its history. Most still think of them as infamous larrikins, rather than criminals.

Samuel Marsden – “The Flogging Parson”

Samuel Marsden was a notorious official in Australian history, and a classic example of misguided good intentions.

The Convict Colony-About to Starve-2

The colonies food crises deepens. Governor Phillip cuts the food ration yet again, but many still die. Ships despatched to other ports return with supplies, and the harvests improve. The colony survives.

The Convict Colony-About to Starve-1

Poor planning saw the new colony in dire straits from food shortages. This was to test Governor Phillips's resolve and engenuity to the limit.

The Convict Colony-Mutiny on the ‘Bounty’?

The famous 'Bounty' mutiny was to have fateful repercussions for the fledgling Australian colony. Captain Bligh would later become its fourth Governor, and be involved in yet more controversial events.

The Convict Colony-The Great Escape

History tends to forget about the real people of the era. The ordinary people who did the real suffering. This is a story of some that did.

The Convict Colony-The Foundation

The arrival of the 'first fleet' in Botany Bay, was the beginning of British settlement in Australia. However the shortcomings of their chosen site,was to be their immediate problem.

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Australian History

The Convict Artist (2 msgs)

Bushrangers – 1 Continued. (2 msgs)

The Convict Colony-The Great Escape (3 msgs)

Samuel Marsden – “The Flogging Parson” (2 msgs)

The Bushrangers - 1 (2 msgs)

Setting the Scene – The first Englishman (1 msgs)

Setting the Scene-James Cook (3 msgs)

Australia (1 msgs)

Setting the Scene – Aboriginal Heritage (4 msgs)