Today is Australia Day - the 26th of January is the anniversary of the foundation by the British of the penal colony in Sydney, NSW.But it was not the first connection between Britain and Australia. That wasn't Captain Cook either - it was the less well known William Dampier.
Pirate, Buccaneer, Explorer, Scientist, and Writer, William Dampier was the first Brit to land on Australia and describe what he saw to the world.
You'd think the date of that landing would be celebrated too - 7th August 1699. But no, and you'd have too look hard in the Maritime Museum in Sydney to find his name mentioned. For his descriptions of what he found were not complimentary and so his contribution to Australian history is often overlooked.
There is a family story of a distant connection, and one day I'd like to sail off to follow in his footsteps.
And so Ozzies everywhere remember to raise your glasses on the 7th August to one of your other founders!
