History
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, Western Australia was occupied solely by Aborigines who had lived peacefully and in harmony with the land for tens of thousands of years. Aborigines have a rich history and culture that is well worth exploring. Like so many indigenous cultures in the 18th and 19th centuries, things were about to change.
In March 1827, Captain James Stirling of the Royal Navy, arrived in the Swan River and discovered a land that possessed great natural attractions, in contrast to the previous Dutch and French navigators who described New Holland (a name given to Australia by the Dutch) as sterile, forbidding and inhospitable.
This landing and subsequent report by Stirling to His Majestys Government back in England, led to the foundation of the Swan River Settlement in June 1829.
Using the Swan River for transport, three towns were formed. Perth in between Fremantle & Guildford. Fremantle 20 km downstream on the coast served as the colony’s funtional Port and Guildford 20 km upstream to the east was chosen to supply produce to the surrounding region because of the rich fertile soil found in the Swan Valley.
Exploration followed, driven by the need for fertile agricultural & pastural land and the hope of finding a huge mainland water supply. It took until the turn of the century to explore most of Western Australia. Around 1890, gold was discovered in the Kimberley & Kalgoorlie. This led to a population explosion and established Perth as the colony's trade capital with Fremantle having to upgrade the harbour to cope with increased demand. Most of Fremantle's architecture can still be seen today lovingly restored.
With the advent of the Second World War, the 1940's initiated a huge demand for minerals and Western Australia had plenty. Asbestos, lead, iron ore, diamonds, nickel, minerals sands, oil & gas to name a few, with some of the biggest mining and exploration companies in the world having offices in Perth. Western Australia and Perth’s economy still relies heavily upon the natural resources sector. |
