This day in history.
Wednesday October 4th 1797 the first flock of Spanish Marino's, upon which Australia's wool industry was founded arrived in Sydney.
In the early years of settlement, the colony of NSW struggled to achieve self-sufficiency.
The convicts were not skilled in farming, and unwilling to work in the intense heat and humidity of Australia.
British farming methods, seeds and implements were unsuitable for use in the difficult climate and soil, and the colony nearly faced starvation it it's first two years.
An industry suited to Australia's harsh conditions needed to be found.
John Macarthur arrived in NSW in 1790....in 1793 Macarthur was given a land grant of 100 acres, which he cleared and improved.....assisted by convict labour.
After receiving another land grant, he and his wife Elizabeth worked hard to improve and develop the land....eventually planting 120 acres in wheat and numerous fruits and vegetables.
4th October 1797 the first flock of Marino's arrived......they had been bought in South Africa by British Officers Henry Waterhouse and William Kent....who sold some of them to Macarthur.......the Spanish Marino was a hardy sheep which was tolerant of Australian conditions.
Unlike other settlers Macarthur did not cross breed his Marinos as this resulted in a coarse wool of lower quality.
By 1803 Macarthurs flock numbered 4000.
He had improved the bloodline and strength of his flock by purchasing them from differing regions to limit inter-breeding.
For this reason John Macarthur is often regarded as the founder of the Wool Industry in Australia.
