Among the approximately 1,400 people aboard the First Fleet of 1787–1788, only 11 handwritten journals are known to have survived. These provide rare eyewitness accounts of the voyage to Sydney and the early years of settlement. 

They document interactions with Aboriginal people and were written by men of different ranks, with each journal offering a unique perspective. Most were discovered in the 20th century, and one was acquired by the State Library of New South Wales as late as 1995. In 2009, the collection held in the Mitchell Library was included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Program. 

Light refreshments are available in the foyer after the presentation.

About Paul Brunton OAM

Paul Brunton OAM is Emeritus Curator at the State Library of New South Wales and was also Curator of Manuscripts from 1986 to 2001. He was Senior Curator at the Mitchell Library until November 2012 and worked with its Australiana collections from 1973. 

Paul has published annotated editions of Joseph Banks’ journal from the Endeavour (1768 - 1771), and Matthew Flinders’ letters. He is currently preparing an annotated edition of William Bligh’s handwritten journal and logbook from HMS Bounty (1787 - 1789) for publication.

This event is presented in partnership with ArtsNational Canberra.