Editing First Fleet (section)

===Commemoration Garden===
[[File:Wallabadah.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|The First Fleet Memorial Garden, [[Wallabadah, New South Wales]]]]

After Ray Collins, a stonemason, completed years of research into the First Fleet, he sought approval from about nine councils to construct a commemorative garden in recognition of these immigrants. [[Liverpool Plains Shire|Liverpool Plains Shire Council]] was ultimately the only council to accept his offer to supply the materials and construct the garden free of charge. The site chosen was a disused caravan park on the banks of [[Quirindi]] Creek at [[Wallabadah, New South Wales]]. In September 2002 Collins commenced work on the project. Additional support was later provided by Neil McGarry in the form of some signs and the council contributed $28,000 for pathways and fencing. Collins hand-chiselled the names of all those who came to Australia on the eleven ships in 1788 on stone tablets along the garden pathways. The stories of those who arrived on the ships, their life, and first encounters with the Australian country are presented throughout the garden.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-factsheet/wallabadah--places-to-see-20081126-6i43.html Wallabadah – Places to See] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706220348/http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-factsheet/wallabadah--places-to-see-20081126-6i43.html |date=6 July 2009 }} Retrieved on 4 May 2009</ref> On 26 January 2005, the First Fleet Garden was opened as the major memorial to the First Fleet immigrants. Previously the only other specific memorial to the First Fleeters was an obelisk at [[Brighton-Le-Sands, New South Wales]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/landscape/settlement/display/101546-first-fleet--monument-bicentennial-monument-|access-date=20 February 2017|title=First Fleet Monument (Bicentennial Monument)|website=Monuments Australia}}</ref> The surrounding area has a barbecue, tables, and amenities.