First Contacts
The Gadigal People and European colonists
A Stage 2 History Excursion with Observatory Hill EEC
Acknowledgement of Country
We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal Clan of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways of The Rocks and Barangaroo, and pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.
This website is designed to support Observatory Hill EEC's S2 History excursion 'First Contacts'. It focuses on the traditional owners of the land, the Gadigal Aboriginal people, and the European colonists, particularly the First Fleet.
Before your excursion
Teachers, we look forward to your classes visiting Barangaroo and The Rocks with Observatory Hill EEC.
Please make sure:
You have checked the meeting place and time on the booking sheet
You inform the EEC prior to your excursion of any student requiring special medical attention or support, and ensure any required medication is brought with you. EEC teachers carry basic first aid equipment
You inform the EEC teacher of any required changes to the program (like an early finish).
All students have sufficient food and drink with them for the entire day. Food breaks are held in city parks.
Students wear school uniform and bring suitable weather protection equipment including sun hats and umbrellas/rain coats if raining.
You actively supervise students throughout the day.
Pre and post excursion tests
To evaluate the effectiveness of our teaching, selected students will be asked to complete a short online quiz on iPads at appropriate breaks throughout the day.
Pre excursion learning.
Successful fieldwork visits have direct links to current classroom learning. Pre-visit activities carried out prior to the excursion will help students better understand their excursion content and provide links with classroom learning. Work with your class through the following activities on the menu tab to make sure they understand the context of their excursion.
The Gadigal People
The Aboriginal people living in the Sydney area, when the First Fleet arrived in 1788, had been in this region for at least 60,000 years.
The Gadigal were saltwater people who lived on the rich resources found in the rivers and the harbour between Sydney Cove (now known as Circular Quay) and Watsons Bay.
The Gadigal people most likely spoke the Dharug language.
The First Fleet
Captain Arthur Phillip arrived at Sydney Cove (now known as Circular Quay) with the First Fleet on 26 January 1788. It had taken them 250 -252 days to sail to Australia from England.
The First Fleet consisted of 11 ships, each one no larger than a Manly ferry
There were more than 1400 men, women and children onboard
The convicts came mainly from Britain but also Africa, America and Europe.