Fellowship of First Fleeters

07/02/2026

A link to the Fellowship's Statement of Condolence on the passing of the late Dame Marie Bashir, our former patron, can be found on the home page of our Wordpress website

To live on in the hearts and minds of descendants is never to die.

29/01/2026

Hi there - we've had some flood damage on first floor and ground floor at First Fleet House which is being dealt with through FFF's Insurers/Repairers. This does mean that FFF House continues to be closed to only the Insurance and Tradies , and also that we don't have access to FFF phones. Your understanding is appreciated while the repairs are being undertaken during this trying time.

20/01/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances First Fleet House will not be able to reopen on January 21 2026 as planned. We will advise when it reopens

15/01/2026

Race Pilot, Instructor, 1968 Woman Pilot of the Year – A Biography of Anne Coleman (nee Carter) FFF Member #8361

It's a new year, and the Fellowship is kicking off with our 1788 - 2038 - Towards 250 Programme. One of the programme's themes is to share Tales of Descendants of First Fleeters. The first is of Anne Coleman, FFF #8361, an Australian Pioneer Woman Pilot: "Believe in yourself, especially when others don’t." The First Spark Anne initially became interested in flying at the age of six when she was a passenger in a DC3 flying to Stanthorpe to spend holidays with her aunt and uncle....

It’s a new year, and the Fellowship is kicking off with our 1788 – 2038 – Towards 250 Programme. One of the programme’s themes is to share Tales of Descendants of First Flee…

23/12/2025

Christmas & 2026 New Year Greetings

We hope you have a special Christmas with your families and wish you all the best for 2026. First Fleet House has now closed for 2025 and will re-open on January 21 2026.

We hope you have a special Christmas with your families and wish you all the best for 2026. First Fleet House has now closed for 2025 and will re-open on January 21 2026.

16/12/2025

FFF Condolence – Bondi Beach Tragedy 14.12.2025

Statement by Gillian Doyle, President of the Fellowship of First Fleeters:
The Fellowship of First Fleeters extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragic events at Bondi Beach. We share in the sorrow of the wider community and offer our heartfelt sympathy to all who have been affected.
There were about 15 Jewish people in the First Fleet and they would have many descendants.

The 15 Jewish First Fleeters are listed on our website:

Statement by Gillian Doyle, President of the Fellowship of First Fleeters: The Fellowship of First Fleeters extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their li…

16/12/2025

Yuin Man – Courall’s account of George Bass at Tuross Point – but maybe not Matthew Flinders?

Have you read the articles in 2025 Founders issues on Matthew Flinders by our FFF Director Elizabeth Warren - 1, 2 ? And have you wondered about the recollections of Dharawal or Yuin people to George Bass and Matthew Flinders' 1790's exploration in the Tom Thumb? Courall and his son Billy Kian, both Yuin men, were possibly ancestors of the Shoalhaven Stewart - Kian families....

Have you read the articles in 2025 Founders issues on Matthew Flinders by our FFF Director Elizabeth Warren – 1, 2 ? And have you wondered about the recollections of Dharawal or Yuin people …

14/12/2025

Aboriginal History of Northern Sydney

Most focus of the early days of Colonial Sydney is on the south side of the Harbour. However, the Hunters Hill Historical Society and Museum have an astonishingly informative page "Aboriginal Background" From this web page: "While some observations were made by Governor Phillip’s survey party back in 1788, the most comprehensive recent research carried out to date was by Val Attenbrow in 1988....

Most focus of the early days of Colonial Sydney is on the south side of the Harbour. However, the Hunters Hill Historical Society and Museum have an astonishingly informative page “Aboriginal…

13/12/2025

Discovering the links between First Fleeters and Female Convicts of the Lady Juliana of the Second Fleet – Mothers of New South Wales Colony

While this website is primarily focused on the First Fleet of 1787 – 1788, many First Fleeters married, or cohabited with, Female Convicts from the Lady Juliana. Identifying these women is part of a longer term project aimed at linking First Fleeters to family connections and relationships on later ships – Second Fleet, Third Fleet, 1792 Ships and Bellona of 1793…...

While this website is primarily focused on the First Fleet of 1787 – 1788, many First Fleeters married, or cohabited with, Female Convicts from the Lady Juliana. Identifying these women is part of …

09/12/2025

Tales of First Fleeters Updated – Part 7

More Tales of First Fleeters Updated by the Fellowship’s energetic Membership Team. All New Stories of Convicts or Sailors on the Convict Transport Ships, including some newly identified First Fleeters, in this post: William Hindley- Convict - Alexander - Transported for 7 Years - a New Story Allen McLean - Gunner - Charlotte - a New Story William Archel McLean ...

More Tales of First Fleeters Updated by the Fellowship’s energetic Membership Team. All New Stories of Convicts or Sailors on the Convict Transport Ships, including some newly identified First Flee…