Saturday August 30, 2009, represents a milestone in Melbourne's history, marking 174 years since the city's founding - the day the first European settlers landed on the north bank of the Yarra River from the schooner Enterprize in 1835.

This pioneering group was led by Captain John Lancey with Launceston builder George Evans and his servant Evan Evans, carpenters William Jackson and Robert Hay Marr, ploughman Charles Wise and blacksmith James Gilbert and his wife Mary making up the party.

It was on 30 August 1835 that these first settlers landed and commenced with the building of a thatched storage hut and the clearing of land along the north bank of the Yarra River. This location today is known as Enterprize Park where Williams Street and Flinders Street meet near the old Customs House.

The people of the Kulin nation are the traditional owners of the land that became Melbourne, including the Boonwurrung, Woiwurrung, Taungurung and Djadjawurrung people, who gathered in this place for ceremonies and cultural activities.

Melbourne Day celebrates more than just the day the city was founded. It represents the point at which the proud community of Melbourne began.
And it is a day to celebrate all that makes Melbourne one of the world's most liveable cities.

Visit Melbourne on August 30 and join the array of exciting events being planned, or take advantage of free or discounted entry into a range of attractions. We hope to get as many Melburnians as possible joining the fun and learning about their city's history.

Highlights of the events program planned:

• 10am, August 30: Official Flag Raising Ceremony and Morning Tea at Enterprize Park - join Lord Mayor Robert Doyle as he raises the Melbourne flag. A special message direct from the Mayor of Launceston will arrive aboard the Spirit of Tasmania acknowledging Launceston's link with Melbourne's history. Free public festivities include live entertainment, morning tea and a rifle volley by the Historial Re-enactment Society. Cr Doyle will be joined by the
  2009 Melburnian of the Year.
  Where: Cnr William Street and Flinders Street (near Melbourne Aquarium on the Yarra River's north bank).
  
  
• Melbourne Day debate, Friday, 28 August - Melbourne Business Network's (inc. West End Business Association) annual luncheon has long been established as the must-attend cornerstone of Melbourne Day celebrations. Check back for details soon. www.melbournebusinessnetwork.org.au
  
  
• 7pm, August 29: Melbourne Awards ceremony gala dinner at Melbourne Town Hall – to recognise outstanding people and organisations that make significant but often unsung contributions to the quality of our community. The awards are announced at a spectacular black-tie dinner. Entries to the 2009 Melbourne Awards have closed. More details, melbourne.vic.gov.au/melbourneawards
  
  
• The changing face of Victoria - FREE exhibition
  at the State Library of Victoria. Details, state library website
  
  
• FREE entry Enterprize, Melbourne's tall ship - Enterprize will be open to the public at Waterfront City, Docklands. Take advantage of a free tour and learn what life was like aboard this famous schooner. Tours available: 9am to 5pm Waterfront City, Docklands.
  
  
• Things to see and do - many organisations and city attractions are getting behind the celebrations and offering Melbourne Day family specials. Check back soon for a full list.

2008 Melburnian of the Year:
John Bertrand, yachting legend and chairman of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and The Allanah and Madeline Foundation, aboard the Enterprize. Picture: courtesy Channel Nine
Melbourne honours America's Cup skipper

Where Melbourne was founded

Enterprize Park on the Yarra's north bank near Melbourne Aquarium is where Melbourne's first settlers landed from the schooner Enterprize on
30 August 1835 and started to build a settlement.

The settlers were led by Captain John Lancey. The landing party included builder George Evans, carpenters William Jackson and Robert Hay Marr, blacksmith Charles Wise and his wife Mary, and Evan Evans,
a servant to George Evans.

A commemorative plaque, left, was unveiled by former Lord Mayor John So on 21 August 2002.