Fed Story ยป Botany Bay selected as a penal colony
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Botany Bay selected as a penal colony

Story author

With increasing pressure on already overcrowded jails and prison hulks,

Britain’s Home Secretary, Lord Sydney, announced in 1786 that Botany Bay had been selected ahead of the West Indies, Canada and the west coast of Africa as the site for a new penal colony.

Federation Story is a free interactive exhibition at Federation Square that traces the events, people and ideas that led to Federation. It also celebrates the richly diverse stories and events that have continued to shape our country, our culture and our place in the world.