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Chapter 1: Australia and its people

The first Australians

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the first peoples of Australia. They lived here for tens of thousands of years before British settlement, and their cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in the world. Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples are two distinct peoples. Torres Strait Islander peoples come from the islands between the tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea. A deep connection to the land is at the heart of Indigenous cultures. Knowledge, beliefs and laws have been passed down through stories, art, song and dance. Before European settlement there were many different Aboriginal languages, and many Indigenous languages are still spoken today. Indigenous cultures are an important part of Australia's shared heritage.

Settlement, gold and Federation

In 1788, the First Fleet of 11 ships arrived from Britain. Captain Arthur Phillip led it and set up a settlement at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788. Many of the people on board were convicts. Phillip became the first Governor of New South Wales, the first British colony. Over time, free settlers arrived and six separate British colonies grew. In the 1850s, gold was discovered. People came from many countries, and the population and wealth of the colonies grew quickly. On 1 January 1901, the six colonies united in Federation to form one nation, the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Australian Constitution came into effect. Australia's British heritage shaped its law, its system of government and its national language, English.

Anzacs and a nation of migrants

During the First World War, soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, the Anzacs, landed at Gallipoli in Turkey on 25 April 1915. Their courage, endurance and mateship became part of the Anzac legend and helped shape Australia's national identity. After the Second World War, large numbers of migrants came to Australia, first from Europe and later from all around the world. Today Australians come from many cultures, languages and religions. People are free to keep their cultural traditions, as long as they obey Australian laws. What unites Australians is a shared commitment to Australia and its democratic values. English is the national language. Learning English helps new arrivals find work and take a full part in Australian life.

States, territories and the land

Australia has six states and two mainland territories. The states and their capital cities are New South Wales (Sydney), Victoria (Melbourne), Queensland (Brisbane), Western Australia (Perth), South Australia (Adelaide) and Tasmania (Hobart). The two mainland territories are the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, whose capital is Darwin. Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, is the national capital. It is the home of Parliament House, where the federal Parliament meets. Australia is one of the largest countries in the world and is an island continent surrounded by ocean. Much of the land is dry, and most Australians live in cities and towns along the coast.

National symbols

The Australian National Flag is dark blue. It has the Union Jack in the top left corner, the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star below it, and the Southern Cross on the right. The Australian Aboriginal Flag is black at the top and red at the bottom, with a yellow circle in the centre: black stands for Aboriginal people, red for the earth and yellow for the sun. The Torres Strait Islander Flag has green stripes for the land, a blue panel for the sea and black lines for the people, with a white headdress and star. The Commonwealth Coat of Arms shows a shield with the badges of the six states, held by a kangaroo and an emu. The golden wattle is the national flower, green and gold are the national colours, and the opal is the national gemstone.

The national anthem and national days

Australia's national anthem is "Advance Australia Fair". It is sung at official ceremonies, sporting events and citizenship ceremonies, and people usually stand to show respect. Australia Day, on 26 January, marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788. On this day Australians celebrate their country, and many people become Australian citizens at special ceremonies. Anzac Day, on 25 April, marks the landing of the Anzacs at Gallipoli in 1915. On Anzac Day, Australians remember all those who have served and died in wars and peacekeeping operations. Many people go to dawn services and marches held around the country.

Practice questions on this chapter

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Chapter 2: Democratic beliefs, rights and liberties →