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History

Foundation Day, 1 June 1829, marks a significant date in the history of Western Australia, for on that day the State's first settlers, men, women and children, completed their long sea voyage to the Swan River Colony aboard the Parmelia.

Although wintry conditions prevented Stirling and the colonists from actually setting foot on the mainland until much later, the first of June has always been regarded as Foundation Day and celebrated as such from the beginning.

The stage had been set some six weeks earlier when the 26 gun frigate Challenger, under the command of 29 year old Captain Charles Howe Fremantle, anchored off the present Garden Island, then known by its French name Isle Buache.  Relieved to see no French flag visible on the mainland, Fremantle instructed the ship's master to mark the passage into Cockburn Sound.  If necessary he was also asked to correct any irregular soundings previously charted by Captain James Stirling when he first visited the Swan River in the Success in March 1827.  Once safely anchored in Cockburn Sound shore parties from the Challenger were sent to explore the island and search for water to replenish the ship's supply.  Between times the crew on board was enthusiastically engaged in fishing and hunting seals.

On 2 May Captain Fremantle left his ship early in the morning, and accompanied by a crew of fourteen, set out in a cutter and gig to explore the river with enough provisions to last three days.  Some hours later the party landed at the mouth of the Swan River and, after crossing the treacherous river bar with difficulty, hoisted the Union Jack and took formal possession of the whole of the western coast of New Holland in the name of King George IV.  After proceeding up river to retrace Stirling's earlier expedition Fremantle's party spent the final night on Rous Head before crossing to the south side of the river on 4 May.

According to Captain Fremantle's diary they ‘landed in a little bay just around Arthur's Head, which looked clean and grassy and appeared a good place for making our first encampment’.  Under the direction of Lieutenant Henry twenty five men from the Challenger later pitched their tents in the vicinity of the mineral spring, planted vines brought with them from the Cape and prepared the ground for a settlement.  Meanwhile, in anticipation of the colonists' arrival, carpenters were employed in fashioning 'a respectable flagstaff' from trees found on Garden Island.

The Parmelia's long southward journey ended late on the afternoon of 31 May.  Foundation Day dawned bleak and cold and it was obvious to Fremantle's sailors, who reported the sighting of Stirling's vessel standing off Rottnest, that the weather was becoming increasingly more unsettled.  The following day, fearing that the Parmelia's master was about to make an imprudent run for the Sound, Captain Fremantle lost no time in dispatching a cutter to warn against the wisdom of such an action. 

Whether over confident, on account of his previous visit to the Swan River, or over anxious to land his passengers, Stirling unwisely chose to ignore the advice.  By then the weather had taken a turn for the worse and within five minutes the vessel was floundering towards the shore and in danger of being wrecked.  It took 18 hours for the Challenger's men to save the Parmelia.  In the meantime to lighten the load and to ensure the safety of the women and children on board, the official's wives, including Ellen Stirling and her two sons Andrew and new infant Frederick, were transferred to the Challenger.  Another 28 women and children were taken to Carnac Island where, left in the care of colonial storekeeper John Morgan, they were marooned for the best part of five days.  Huddled under makeshift shelter in incessant rain and wind Mr Morgan later wrote ‘We subsisted almost entirely upon salt beef and biscuit, our table service of one knife and one drinking mug for the whole party’.

By 6 June the Parmelia, rudderless and badly in need of repairs, was safely anchored close to the Challenger in Cockburn Sound.  For many reasons Captain Stirling decided to establish the first settlement on Garden Island and gradually the settlers, their possessions and livestock were taken ashore.  Captain Fremantle, who sent 30 of his men to assist, was convinced however that any attempt to colonise the island would in the end prove futile.  The 63rd Regiment commanded by Captain Frederick Irwin arrived on 8 June abroad the HMS Sulphur and progress greatly improved.  A well was dug near the settlement on Garden Island, gardens were planted, a road was cut through to the top of a high mound, and from brushwood and a mixture of imported materials a storehouse and huts were built to provide shelter.

On 17 June a proxy proclamation was read by the Lieutenant Governor elect James Stirling to the officials and colonists on Garden Island.  Although further exploration occurred on the mainland, it was some time before the colonists were finally transferred to the mainland.

Perth was founded on the King's birthday, 12 August.  To celebrate the occasion Mrs Helena Dance, wife of the Sulphur's Captain, stood in for Mrs Ellen Stirling and in the presence of the Lieutenant Governor Captain Fremantle and officials cut down a tree in the vicinity of the present Barrack Street.  Volleys were fired, speeches were made and cheers rang out when the town was named Perth according to the wishes of Sir George Murray, a fellow Scot and friend of the Stirling family.

Written by historian and author Ruth Marchant James

 

A Meeting of Cultures

Although the colonists and the Aboriginal people had little contact in the very early days of the Swan River Settlement their meetings were generally friendly but apprehensive as each group had little understanding of the other.  However, by the 1830s, misunderstandings occurred especially regarding ownership and respect for the land.

Aboriginal people saw themselves as deeply spiritual people who had developed a complex and deep association with the land.  The Europeans who had arrived were unaware of this close relationship with the environment and many problems began to surface.

On 3 May 1830 the Nyoongah people protested against land being taken from them at what is now Lake Monger near Perth.  Other clashes occurred in the Swan Valley, Pinjarra, Lake Minninup in the South West and other parts of the State.

It is important to acknowledge the Aboriginal people of this land and also recognise that Western Australia in the 21st Century is made up of people from many different backgrounds who live together in unity, peace and harmony.

 

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