Australian Bicentenary Australian Bicentenary The bicentenary of Australia was celebrated in 1988. It marked 200 years since the arrival of the First Fleet of British convict ships at Sydney in 1788. The bicentennial year marked Captain Arthur Phillip's arrival with the 11 ships of the First Fleet in Sydney Harbour in 1788, and the founding of the city of Sydney and the colony of New South Wales. 1988 is considered the official bicentenary year of the founding of Australia. The Australian Bicentenary was marked by pomp and ceremony across Australia to mark the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of
1988 in motoring 1988 in motoring 1988 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry throughout the year 1988 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles. The newly independent Leyland Bus company was acquired by Volvo Buses. The remaining Rover Group business, which by now was mainly volume car production, was sold by the British Government to British Aerospace. The newly privatised Rover Group plc abandoned the Austin marque for its Mini, Metro, Maestro, and Montego ranges. Each model became badged as a Rover, joining the existing 200 and 800 ranges. The