That the islands had no indigenous or settled population before British settlement.

Before British settlement the area was covered in dense forest and swamp.

Other British settlements followed, at various points around the continent, most of them unsuccessful.

In 1803 it became a British settlement and penal colony.

French and British settlements sprang up on the island as well.

It had been the base for raids and attacks of British settlements.

At the time of British settlement, there were over 200 distinct languages.

After British settlement the area was established as a fishing and farming community.

It was the first British settlement on the island, established in 1888.

The coat of arms recalls the logging industry that first led to British settlement there.