Norfolk Island - Foundation Day 6 March 1788

On Thursday, 6 March from 9:30am, locals and visitors will gather at Kingston by Emily Bay, in the Salt Mill area, for the 10:30am celebration of 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 on 10 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 14 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, and the most important task for the settlers was to farm crops and also to harvest timber and flax for buildings and the shipping industry. The settlement supported Port Jackson, helping the settlement with food, and timber.

Norfolk Island would have looked very different 237 years ago. There were Norfolk pine trees on Nepean Island and at Kingston the forest and trees 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 Thursday 6 March at Emily Bay and commences at 10:30am. 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 tourists 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.

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.

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

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

Live Music and Entertainment starting from 9:30am with food and refreshments available at Emily Bay. I am sure everyone will enjoy the 2025 Foundation Day commemoration re-enactment which will commence at 10:30am. See you down at the beach, remember to arrive early to see the wonderful annual event.

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

28 February 2025