An anchor stands silent in Macquarie Place Park—but its story is anything but quiet. Join us as we uncover the dramatic final voyage of HMS Sirius, the lifeline of the First Fleet, and how its sinking sent shockwaves through a struggling colony. A story of hope, hardship, and history beneath the waves.

In this episode of Did You Know?, we chat with Phil Russo, former Deputy Mayor and Parramatta City Councillor, about his life, his time in office, and his passion for protecting the city’s heritage. Phil also reflects on his ongoing support for local Indigenous communities and the importance of preserving culture in a rapidly growing city.

We welcome Gareth, a British history buff, to share his perspective on Australia’s past. From classroom lessons in the UK to the significance of our story today, we explore how history connects us across continents.

In this episode, we explore four remarkable figures from the early colony, Henry Dod, James Ruse, Captain Watkin Tench, and Arabanoo. From the first farms to first contacts, we uncover their stories, struggles, and legacies in shaping Australia’s beginnings.

In this episode, we explore the shift inland to Parramatta and why it became the new heart of the colony. We break down the arrival of the Second and Third Fleets, the challenges they brought, and how families like the Macarthurs and Wentworths began shaping the colony’s future through land, power, and ambition.

With Sydney Cove’s soil failing and hunger rising, the colony looked inland. This episode explores why the early settlers were forced to move up the Parramatta River—and how this shift laid the foundations for farming, survival, and expansion.

In this episode, we dive into the tough early days of Australia’s first European settlement. From food shortages and harsh conditions to makeshift justice and fragile leadership, hear how the fledgling colony fought to survive its first year at Sydney Cove.

With Botany Bay in the rearview, the First Fleet has landed—now what? In this episode, we explore the early days of settlement at Sydney Cove. Governor Arthur Phillip faces the daunting task of turning a penal colony into a functioning society. How do you impose law and order when most of your population are convicts? What do you prioritise when everything is scarce? Join us as we unpack the chaos, compromises, and clever decisions that laid the groundwork for modern Australia.

January 1788: The First Fleet arrives at Botany Bay… and almost immediately regrets it. In this episode, we follow Governor Arthur Phillip as he sizes up the sandy disappointment of Botany, then sails north in search of something better. What he finds is the deep harbour and freshwater of Port Jackson, modern-day Sydney Cove. Join us as we uncover the real landing of Australia’s first colony and how a snap decision changed the country’s future.

In this episode, we follow the epic journey of the First Fleet as it sets sail from Portsmouth in 1787, bound for the unknown continent of New South Wales. From cramped convict quarters to stormy seas and tense stopovers, we trace the fleet’s 8-month voyage across the globe, all leading to their long-awaited arrival at Botany Bay. What were they expecting to find… and what did they actually see?