Abel Tasman and Australia, the Discovery of Van Diemen’s Land
Abel Janszoon Tasman was a player in the colonial expansionism of 17th century Holland. The Dutch, having established a trading empire in South East...
Brian Dixon – Hero of the Melbourne FC and Pioneering Politician
Brian James Dixon AM is a former AFL footballer and Victorian State Member of Parliament. Following the completion of his secondary school studies at...
The Life of One Australian Squatter – Adam Robertson
The term “squatter” was given to early European settlers in Australia who began living and farming on newly-mapped land which they did not actually...
Two Victorian Pioneers – John Batman and Hugh Murray
The Australian colony of Port Phillip covered the area which now comprises the State of Victoria.Two of the early European pioneers of the Port...
Australian Explorer – Major Thomas Mitchell
Major Thomas Mitchell was Surveyor-General of New South Wales during the 1830s and 1840s. He made four long expeditions during this time. The most...
Early Australian Explorers – Hume and Hovell
Hamilton Hume and William Hovell earned their place in the history of Australia as the explorers who first made the journey southwards from Sydney...
Tasmania’s Indigenous People and the Impact of Colonisation
Suggestions of genocide put the colonisation of Australia in a harsh light. The issue arises most frequently in reference to the natives of Tasmania.
When...
Giles and Gibson Attempt to Cross Australia’s Red Centre
Little is known about the man for whom Australia’s Gibson Desert is named. Alfred Gibson was a member of the second Giles expedition seeking...
John McDouall Stuart’s Exploration into the Heart of Australia
Australia's inland exploration really began in 1813 when three pioneers, Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth, managed to find a path through the Blue Mountains west...
The Sea Dog and the Sea Cat: Matthew Flinders’ Cat Trim
Much is known of explorer Captain Matthew Flinders who circumnavigated Australia. Less is known of Trim, his constant companion and right hand cat.
The State...