Norfolk Island - Foundation Day 6 March 1788

On Wednesday, 6 March at 10:30am, locals and visitors will gather at Kingston by Emily Bay, in the Salt Mill area, to celebrate Foundation Day, which is the commemorative day of the arrival of the British First Fleeters on Norfolk Island on the 6 March 1788. This was the very first European settlement here on Norfolk Island. Captain James Cook had landed here in October 1774 and the British had instructed the First Fleeters to also sail to Norfolk Island to set up a British Colony on our remote South Pacific Island.

Norfolk Island first settlers departed Port Jackson on 15 February 1788 on-board the HMS Supply, and sighted Norfolk Island on 29 February, it was “leap year” in 1788. Lt. Philip Gidley King along with 22 people, 15 of whom were convicts, were the first pioneer settlers on Norfolk Island. They settled Norfolk Island on 6 March 1788, this settlement was to support the Port Jackson settlement with food. The most important task for the settlers was to farm crops and also to harvest timber and flax for the shipping industries.

Norfolk Island would have looked very different 234 years ago. There were Norfolk pine trees on Nepean Island and at Kingston the bush and forest went down to the foreshore. Buildings had to be constructed for their dwellings and military areas. Old paintings are interesting to study as they give us a glimpse of what Norfolk Island was like for the early settlers breaking in the land.

Each year on Foundation Day I enjoy taking photos of the re-enactment. Local men row the boats across the bay, dressed up as British sailors and convicts, and young Norfolk Island children tell the stories of the First Fleeters.

British Actor Martin Clunes, also known for his role as Doc Martin from the TV show joined the 2016 Foundation Day event, along with his film crew. It was a pleasure meeting Martin Clunes when I took photographs down at Emily Bay.

Foundation Day, 6 March is a public holiday on Norfolk Island. The re-enactment is organised for Wednesday 6 March at Emily Bay. Fingers crossed the weather is settled during the morning, if you are attending, check the forecast and take weather protection if it is a hot sunny day, or if there is a chance of rain.

Every year there are always many visitors visiting Norfolk Island for the re-enactment. The descendants of the First Fleeters enjoy attending Foundation Day and learning the history of their ancestors. Welcome to all of the visitors and I hope you all enjoy your stay on beautiful Norfolk Island.

These first pioneers to settle on Norfolk Island were:

Lieutenant Philip Gidley King – Superintendent and Commandant of Norfolk Island

Seven Free Persons

James Cunningham, Master’s Mate of the Sirius (Mid Seaman)

Thomas Jamison, Surgeon’s Mate of the Sirius

John Turnpenny Altree, Surgeon’s assistant

Roger Morley, Seaman from the Sirius

William Westbrook, Seaman from the Sirius

Charles Heritage, Marines

John Batchelor, Marines

Six Female Convicts

Ann Inett

Elizabeth Colley

Elizabeth Hipsley

Elizabeth Lee

Olivia Gascoigne

Susannah Gouch

Nine Male Convicts

Charles McClellan

Edward Garth

Edward Westlake

John Mortimore

John Rice

John Williams

Nathaniel Lucas

Noah Mortimore

Richard Widdicombe

There is a plaque on the foreshore near the landing place, next to Kingston Pier, recording the historic event, the British claiming Norfolk Island in the name of His Majesty King George III.

Go Norfolk is organising the event on Wednesday morning, thank you Louise Tavener and all of the helpers and actors and everyone behind the scenes who make this a success each year.

Food stalls will also be on site, with food and drinks to purchase from 11.30am. There will also be live music after the Foundation Day commemoration. I am sure everyone will enjoy the 2024 Foundation Day re-enactment.

Here are a couple of photos from previous Foundation Day events and the plaques down at Kingston celebrating the British First Fleeters arrival.

Betty Matthews

1 March 2024