In 1818, Governor Lachlan Macquarie declared that the 26 January would be called Australia Day to commemorate the founding of the British colony. The Sydney Gazette recorded the celebration of the event on the 31 January:
"On Monday last His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR
review[ed] the 48th Regt, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel ERSKINE, and we learn
expressed himself much pleased with the military appearance of this
distinguished corps.
The same day a dinner was given at Government House
to the Civil and Military Officers at Head Quarters, in commemoration of the
Establishment of this Colony, which on that day had attained its thirtieth
anniversary. We understand that His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR, in celebrating an
event in which all present necessarily felt much interest, was pleased to pay a
handsome tribute to the memory of the late Admiral PHILLIP.
In the evening a Ball was given by Mrs. MACQUARIE
to a numerous party, which was continued with spirit to a late hour. We were
particularly gratified with a likeness of GOVERNOR PHILLIP (executed by Mr.
Greenway, who felt much pleasure in this opportunity of celebrating the memory
of the Vice Admiral, who had ever been his steady friend and patron), suspended
at one extremity of the room, in a wreath, supported by two banners; one being
that of Vice Admiral, and the other containing the following inscription.
"In Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Colony of New South
Wales, established by ARTHUR PHILLIP, whose virtues and talents entitle him to
the grateful remembrance of his Country, and to whose arduous exertions the
present prosperous state of the Colony may chiefly be ascribed."
