Impacts of Scots on Austalia Flashcards
Wildlife
Thomas Wattling, a Scottish ex-convict, was an artist who was credited with sketching and documenting much of Australian wildlife for the first time. Scots were vital in gaining a proper understanding of the flora and fauna that were present in Australia.
Professional work
Scots convicts tended to have higher literacy rates compared to the rest of the UK, so once they were free they were more likely to go into professions which literacy war required, such as becoming a doctor or a lawyer. This allowed Scots to have a generally very positive social and economic impact
Crime
Some freed ex-convicts, returned to a life of crime, such as Frank Gardner, a Scotsman, who masterminded a gold escort robbery at Eugowara Rock. It was the biggest robbery in Australian bush ranging history. In some cases, Scots added to crime rates and disorder within Australia.
Politics
Of the first six governors of New South Wales, half of them were Scottish, such as Lachlan Macquarie, who was from near Mull. They were vital in shaping Australia’s political scene right from its conception.
Women’s suffrage
A Scotswoman, Catherine Helen Spence, was Australia’s first female political candidate and first woman journalist. She campaigned for women’s suffrage and is remembered as ‘Australia’s greatest woman’. Scots immigrants were vital in pushing for women’s vote in Australia to even the political scene.
Farming
Scottish investors and farmers used their farming experiences from Scotland to great success in Australia, bringing Scottish breeds like Ayrshire cattle and Clydesdale horses being used to bring Scottish produce to the Australian market. These breeds proved vital to supplying Australia with the produce to feed its growing population.
Travelling and exploration
John MacDoull Stuart was a famous Australian explorer who emigrated from Scotland in 1838. He made the first ever successful expedition across Australia from South to North. This route was later used to lay roads and telegraph poles. Knowledge about how to travel across Australia was extremely important to transporting goods and information.
Schooling
In 1933 MacPherson Robertson contributed £40,000 to the building of Mac Robertson Girls High School - voted the 6th Best girls school in Australia in 2001. Scots aided in the increased education of the Australian population.
