The First Fleet
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Lyla McMahon, Grade 4, Augusta Park Primary School
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Short Story
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2017
Excellence Award in the 'Spread The Word 2017' competition
My name is Osha. I am 10 years old. I have 2 best friends named Rose, 10, and April, 9. We are all poor, so we steal to survive. We all still like to play with each other.
1. When it all changed
One day us three girls stole a jacket but the Police saw us. We all ran away in fear but the Police caught us. We had to go to court in 2 days. On the 22nd January we went to court and got found guilty of stealing and selling a jumper, and got sentenced to jail for 7 years.
2. The mix up
We were walking in a line to the jail when the officer got a call that the jails were full. They had to organise something to do with us.
3. The terrible night’s sleep
At 8pm we tried to go to sleep but it was too squishy and loud. Then I yelled, “Please everyone be quiet so I can go to sleep!!” Everyone stopped and stared at me thinking what a girl I was. Eventually we fell asleep because we were very tired.
4. The switch around
On the 13th May 1787, all of the prisoners were all taken outside. I didn’t know what was going on. All the people seem miserable and all had their heads down. They made us go very slow and the Police held guns.
5. Going on where are we going?
We stopped and waited for something to come. At first I didn’t know what was going to happen but then we knew about 5 seconds later that we had to go to a new destination. But where?
6. On and gone
We all had to get on a boat. I saw on the side it said ‘Charlotte’. We got tied to a chair with a lot of other people. About 722 I think.
7. Hungry and thirsty
They only feed us 2 times in a day. A few sips of water but I was still thirsty every day. For 252 days, almost a year, but soon enough we get off.
8. On land
On the 26th January 1788, the boat landed at a place called Australia. There were some people there and they called us ghost people. We called them Aboriginals.
9. It’s all bad
It had all gone wrong and 1 year here, the crops weren’t growing. I have been sleeping outside for 6 months. April has died and Rose has scurvy. I don’t know if I will survive.
10. Who are they?
The people here carry spears around to protect themselves. They would sometimes give us food but we didn’t know if it was safe.
11. Home home home
I am now a parent of 3 lovely children named Peppa, 7, Olive, 10 and April May, 3. I work at a pizza shop named Pizza Pizza. I love my life now. The end