WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S CENTENARY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 8

WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S CENTENARY

NEXT YEAR’S FESTIVITIES. Celebrations to mark the foundation of the State of Western Australia a hundred years ago will be held throughout Western Australia during 1929. The State was founded in 1829, at Fremantle, by Captain James Stirling. Continued French activity in Australian waters had aroused a strong suspicion that France was looking for a suitable place for settlement on the western side of the continent, and as there was some doubt as to the validity of the British claim to the whole of the continent, a penal settlement was first established at the end of 1826 at Albany, on King George Sound. Albany celebrated the centenary of that settlement last year. A more definite occupation, however, was deemed advisable, and Captain Fremantle, in H.M.S. Challenger, arrived off Fremantle on April 27, 1829, and took formal possession in the name of the Crown on May 2. In February of that year Captain Stirling, who had been appointed Lieutenant-Governor, left England by the Parmelia with the first band of settlers. They reached Fremantle on June 1, but owing to adverse weather conditions, landed on Garden Island, where temporary shelters were erected. When, on the 18th of the month, the weather had improved sufficiently to enable them to reach the mainland, Captain Stirling and a party landed and issued a proclamation effecting the actual settlement of Western Auslralia. On August 12 the foundation of the capital city, Perth, was proclaimed. Although there will be celebrations throughout the year the main historic features will be held during September and October. During these months also there will be a number of important State and inter-State fixtures, chief of which will be the great aerial race for a prize of £2OOO, and aerial pageant, and the Royil Show and Centenary Exhibition.