The lovely town on the Torrens, was named by Bruce 'Dolly' McEwen, an intrepid seaman, who sailed the southern coast of Australia and exclaimed, "How stunning!". He dashed off a letter to his mother to whom he was very close, wanting to name the place after her but a city called Colleen was already in existence, so he settled for the name of his mother's retirement home instead.
Brisbane
Was named after Governor Brisbane who arrived on the muddy banks on which the capital now stands. Absolutely furious that he was pipped at the post for the job of running Sydney, he felt demeaned and inferior with his Northerly posting and that mentality lasts to this day.
Darwin
It is a popular myth that Darwin was named after Charles Darwin. This is not so. The city of Darwin was named after an early explorer looking for Bali boys who stayed long enough to establish a colony before moving on North. The Darwin Stubby was also named after him because of his squat appearance. Cedric Darwin did have a beagle and this is perhaps what gave rise to the confusion with his half-brother, Charles.
Hobart
Tommy Hobart was on Bob van Diemen's boat trawling off the big island South of Melbourne, when a storm drove them up the river Derwent. Left behind when he went for a pee between two Huon pines, Tommy Hobart went on to become one of the executives of Cadbury's.
Melbourne
Like Brisbane, Lord Melbourne arrived in Australia to take up the post of actually running Sydney. He was even more furious at being posted down South as he didn't even get the good climate afforded Brisbane. His hobbies were eating, shopping and football.
Perth
Founded at the suggestion of Barbara Stirling, wife of a Victoria captain who got tired of the pickiness of the Melbourne gentry, Perth quickly grew around her stylish cafÈ which became famous for its succulent swans, especially roasted.
Sydney
Sydney was named after Napoleon's favourite dog, a French poodle, who was aboard La Perouse's boat Le Papillon. Sydney lived a long life, completed two world cruises on Le Papillon and returned to France a hero. Sydney is stuffed and mounted and on display at the Palace of Versailles.
![[RT pic]](cover21.gif)