Captain Cook landed in Sydney on the 28th of April, 1770.
The first boat of the First Fleet landed at Botany Bay on 18 January, 1788. The Fleet then moved to Port Jackson where on 26 January 1788, the British flag was raised.
Australia Day was already celebrated on January 26 before 1948.
A parliamentary research paper by Margaret Harrison-Smith notes that Tasmania celebrated “Foundation Day” on January 26 from 1888.
Victoria and Western Australia also celebrated the date in the early 1900’s and in 1930 the Australian Natives’ Association suggested an annual “Australia Day” celebration.
A year later Victoria first adopted the name ‘Australia Day’ and since 1946, January 26 “has been recognised throughout Australia as Australia Day and a public holiday taken on or around that date,” according to the research paper.
On 26 January 1949, the Nationality and Citizenship Act (1948) came into effect, which created an Australian citizenship.
The date of January 26 was chosen for the new laws to take effect because it already had significance as a day of national celebration.
Under the 1948 Act, everyone born in Australia became simultaneously Australian citizens and British subjects.
Events being held across the region.
Maranoa Region Council
Blackall Tambo Regional Council
Paroo Shire Council
Balonne Shire Council
Bulloo Shire Council
Quilpie Shire Council
Murweh Shire Council