Settlement
Queensland was first seen by Europeans in the 1600s. Dutch explorer Willem Jansz landed on the Cape York Peninsula in 1606, and in 1623 Jan Carstens explored the Gulf of Carpentaria. An Englishman, Lieutenant James Cook, is acknowledged as the first European to encounter Queensland's east coast in 1770 in HMS Endeavour.
Independence
In 1851, a public meeting was held to consider Queensland's separation from New South Wales.
Queen Victoria granted approval and signed Letters Patent on 6 June 1859 to establish the new colony of Queensland. On the same day, an Order-in-Council gave Queensland its own constitution.
Primary Education
Penal colony to Board of General Education 1826 – 1860 In 1826 the first primary school was conducted in the Moreton Bay settlement of NSW by Mrs Esther Roberts, a soldier's wife. Although her stipend of 10 was drawn from the funds of the colonial government, her school was actually administered by the Anglican Church because in those days it was generally believed that it was the duty of the Church to conduct schools. After a succession of teachers, mostly soldiers, the school was closed in 1842. Almost all of the schools following this parochial school were shortlived. Many were private establishments in front parlours, with a few boarders and day students. Fees and pretensions to gentility were high; standards seem to have been low.
The Department of Education is committed to ensuring Queenslanders have the education and skills they need to contribute to the economic and social development of Queensland. The Department delivers world-class education services for people at every stage of their personal and professional development. We are also committed to ensuring our education and training systems are aligned to the state's employment, skills and economic priorities.