Australia-Asia and Archipelagoes of the …

Scarce map of Australia with present day state of Victoria shown as part of New South Wales and named Australia Felix, (Latin for “fortunate Australia”), the early name given by Thomas Mitchell to lush pasture in parts of western Victoria he explored on  his third expedition in 1836. The first petition for the separation of the Port Phillip District (or ‘Australia Felix’) from New South Wales was drafted in 1840 by Henry Fyshe Gisborne and presented by him to Governor Gipps. Gipps, who had previously been in favour of separation, rejected the petition. Agitation of the Port Phillip settlers continued and led to the establishment of Port Phillip District as a separate colony on 1st July 1851.