Saturday August 30, 2008, represents a milestone in Melbourne's history, marking 173 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 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:

• 10am, August 30: Official Flag Raising Ceremony and Morning Tea at Enterprize Park - join Lord Mayor John So 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 So will be joined by the 2008 Melburnian of the Year. MC is TV personality Rob Gell.
  Where: Cnr William Street and Flinders Street (near Melbourne Aquarium on the Yarra River's north bank). Show on a map, more details at thatsmelbourne.com.au.
  
  
• New event for 2008!
  What I love about Melbourne. Children's Letter Writing Exhibition at ArtPlay - Children are invited to participate in a Letter Writing Exhibition from 9am to 10am on Melbourne Day. Participants are required to attend a workshop at ArtPlay on 10 August to learn the ancient art of letter writing and write a letter to the founding fathers of Melbourne! The workshop will explore the history of letter writing, how to express yourself in the written word and the reasons why you love Melbourne. At the completion of the workshop all letters will feature in a public exhibition at ArtPlay as part of the Melbourne Day celebrations. Those unable to attend the 10 August workshop may still submit a page (A4) entry to ArtPlay at: ArtPlay, What I love about Melbourne Letter Writing Exhibition, PO Box 1603 Melbourne 3001. Name, age and contact details must be included. Where: ArtPlay, Birrarung Marr (follow the Yarra river past Federation Square).
  For more info phone 9664 7900 or visit www.artplay.com.au
  
  
• Melbourne Day debate "Melbourne owes it all to the Greeks", Thursday, August 28 - Melbourne Business Network's (inc. West End Business Association) annual luncheon has long been established as the must-attend cornerstone of Melbourne Day celebrations.
  The 2008 debate, moderated by Peter Moon from Logie-Smith Lanyon Lawyers, pits AFL CEO Andrew Demitriou, Channel Ten newsreaders George Donikian and Helen Kapalos against 774 radio host, TV judge and musician Red Symons; Tim Campbell actor, singer, Channel 9 game host; and Sally "Dr Feelgood" Cockburn, GP, 3AW personality and 6th generation Melbourne resident. For tickets, book online or download an invitation brochure (PDF, 380KB)
  
  
• 7pm, August 30: 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. Full details, melbourne.vic.gov.au/melbourneawards
  
  
• 12.30pm, August 29: Grave Stories of the Queen Victoria Market - Hear spine-tingling stories of the thousands of burials that remain on site, and get a rare glimpse into early market life. Presented by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. More details
  
  
• The changing face of Victoria - FREE exhibition
  at the State Library of Victoria. Details, state library website
  
  
• Things to see and do - many organisations and city attractions are getting behind the celebrations and offering Melbourne Day family specials. A full list is at thatsmelbourne.com.au.

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 Lord Mayor John So on
21 August 2002.