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The Fellowship of First Fleeters
is an organisation composed of descendants of those
who arrived in Sydney Cove, NSW, with the First Fleet on the 26th
January, 1788.
Its main Objects are:--
To disseminate a deeper knowledge and create a
greater awareness of the part played by those Pioneers who arrived in
Sydney in 1788.
To ensure that the Country's National Day
(Australia Day - 26th January,) is acknowledged in a manner
and scale befitting the event.
To encourage an Australian patriotism and
strengthen the bonds of loyalty by all people living in Australia, irrespective
of their birthplace or origin, creed or party.
To maintain Australian traditions and ways of
life and to defend our National interests.
To welcome and extend hospitality to migrants
and visitors from overseas.
To foster a love of Australia and of Australian
Literature, History, Art and Music.
"To live on in the hearts and
minds of Descendants is never to die!"
The Fellowship was formed in 1968 and since its
formation membership has increased to over 7000.
Our membership is national including a few
members residing overseas. In 1988 we bought our own building at 105
Cathedral Street Woolloomooloo. First Fleet House is open Monday, Wednesday & Thursday, staffed by volunteers. It was incorporated in 1988. The
Fellowship takes an interest in matters historical, and is active in all
heritage matters relating to the First Fleet.
An important activity is the location and
identification of graves of First Fleeters, and a bronze plaque is then attached to the tombsto
ne and an unveiling ceremony is
held.
The Fellowship of First Fleeters
has several Chapters outside the Sydney Metropolitan area
A Chapter is not a separate identity but an
extension of the main body of Fellowship of First Fleeters.
Establishment of a Chapter must be approved by the Executive Committee.
Aims of a Chapter
To support the aims of the Fellowship of First Fleeters
To promote membership and provide information on
the Fellowship of First Fleeters
To promote interest in the First Fleet and their
descendants.
To assist with education in Family History
research: to encourage and Support the sharing of information.
To promote and participate in social activities
of the Fellowship of First Fleeters and other
Local history organisations.
SOUTH COAST CHAPTER
The South Coast Chapter had its
inaugural meeting on
7th Aug.
2001, with only a minority present.
Since then we have become a chapter active in
keeping heritage alive and sharing in Fellowship.
We have over
50 members who reside from Helensburgh to Burrill Lake
with 2 members corresponding from Cootamundra.
Meetings are held in a
friendly atmosphere with a relevant program. We hold 9
meetings a year on the 1st Tuesday of February, March, April,
June, July, August, September, October, November. The closest
Saturday to May 13th a luncheon is held to remembers
those who left Portsmouth with the First Fleet. The 1st
Tuesday in December is our Christmas Luncheon.
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Venue: Meetings held in
the Artisan Room Wests Illawarra Club 1 Hargreaves St Unanderra
2526.
– check Calendar page
to confirm details.
Meeting Times
10.00am to 12.30pm
Outings: to places of historic interest
and events applicable to us.
Newsletter: A quarterly newsletter is sent to
all financial members.
Membership: Once a descendant of a First Fleet
arrival joins a chapter, their contact details are sent to First Fleet
Headquarters. The membership committee will
welcome & assist chapter members to produce lineal proof of their
family descent.
For further information contact:
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
It is noted that our Chapter meets on the
traditional lands of the Dharawal people.
As Descendants of those who arrived on the First
Fleet it is acknowledged that the Dharawal people were here when our First
Fleet ancestors arrived. This was their land and they have never
surrendered it.
In response to the welcome that they have given
to us and our ancestors, we, the First Fleet descendants acknowledge
respect to all their Elders, both past and present, and seek to respect
those who will come.
This acknowledgement is particularly important to
come from us, as Descendants of those First Fleeters, because our families
have lived in this land of Australia alongside the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people, longer than anyone else.
See
Fellowship of First Fleeters Acknowledgement of Country

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