The Catholic Church

  • La Perouse enters Botany Bay and his chaplain, Abbe Mones, celebrates the first Mass within Australian territory

  • First Irish convicts transported to Botany Bay

  • First official public mass

  • father john therry and father philip conolly arrive in sydney as australia's first ever priests

  • father therry removed from his role of colonies official chaplin

  • father daniel power lands in sydney to replace father therry

  • fr. power dies

  • fr john mcecroe appointed official chaplin of Australia

  • st. mary's chapel completed

  • fr john Brady consecrated as bishop of perth. He moved from Windsor to WA.

  • St Mary's cathedral renovated. Archdiocese now has 33 parishes, 30 churches and 35 priests.

  • Pope Benedict XVI makes his first visit to Australia when the archdiocese of Sydney hosts world youth day.