'A Bump in the Ocean'. First contact and settlement on the northern Australian coast

Joc will describe the various explorers of, and settlement attempts, along our northern coastline and the subsequent interaction with the original first nations inhabitants.

This lecture will cover the first peopling of Australia 60,000 year ago to the more recent contacts from Macassan traders, Portuguese, Dutch and English explorers trying to unravel the mysteries of the ‘Great South Land’ and the subsequent detailed mapping and by the British and the various settlement attempts along our northern coastline and the subsequent interaction with the original first nations inhabitants. Joc Schmiechen has been a long-time member of the RGSSA who has presented numerous lectures over the past twenty years. Joc has been a passionate explorer, researcher, educator and interpreter of the Australian landscape, culture, art, history and lifestyle for all of his working life and continues these exploits creating exceptional travel experiences for our Society members in his current role as Head of Travel for the RGSSA.