OTD 12.8 August 12th Traditional Cache

OTD - 12:8 

Perhaps you want a smiley for every day of the year or maybe a birthday smiley. For whatever reason these 12 mini monthly power trails are here to be found. Most are easily located, with an occasional sneaky one in the mix, sat lock can be difficult in some areas.

Here are some facts for this day. You are welcome to log your interesting, quirky or fun fact/s with your log.

On This Day - August 12th 1829

The city of Perth, Western Australia, is founded. 

The first official landing of a European on the northwestern coast of Australia occurred when Dutch captain Dirk Hartog landed near Cape Inscription in 1616. Although further Dutch sightings of Australia followed as the route became more popular and the land became known as "New Holland", the Dutch saw no value in the dry and barren country.

Although the northwest was forbidding and inhospitable, the southwestern corner held more promise. Dutch sea-captain Willem de Vlamingh named the Swan River in 1697 because of the black swans he saw in abundance there while exploring the area. The name remained for the early years of British settlement. 

The city of Perth, capital of Western Australia, grew up around the Swan River, and was therefore originally known as the Swan River Colony. The city itself started out as a free colony in 1829 with the arrival of around 100 pioneer men, women and children. The Swan River colony was proclaimed in June 1829. The settlement of the Colony was founded with the ceremonial cutting down of a Sheoak tree, by Mrs Helen Dance, on a site close to the present Town Hall, on 12 August 1829.