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James Cook explores the east coast of Australia
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Establishment of the first British colony in Sydney (First Fleet)
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Period: to
Exploration of Australia by Matthew Flinders, who names the continent
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Australian Gold Rush
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Period: to
Gradual self-governance of Australian colonies
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Creation of the Commonwealth of Australia (Federation of the colonies)
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Statute of Westminster granting legislative independence
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Australia Act, cutting the last legal ties with the United Kingdom