The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser was Australia's first newspaper. This is the first edition which was published on 5 March 1803 in Sydney.

George Howe, a transported convict, was sent to Sydney in 1800 and was appointed government printer soon after. This role was expanded when he started to publish the Sydney Gazette from 1803. The paper was a weekly official medium for the publication of official notices. Publication of the paper was suspended between August 1807 and May 1808 because of a disagreement between Howe and Governor Bligh.

George's son, Robert assisted on the Sydney Gazette and succeeded his father as government printer in 1821. The paper became bi-weekly in 1825 and in 1827, daily for a brief time. In 1831 the Sydney Gazette was appearing three time a week, pursuing conservative causes in support of the established order. During this time competition had arrived, including the Sydney Herald, later to become the Sydney Morning Herald. The Sydney Gazette wound down in 1842.

This newspaper was published by the Government Printer in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on the 5 March 1803.

Newspaper, 'Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser', 5 March 1803, paper / plastic, published by the Government Printer, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1803

Black and white printed, folded newspaper. The paper has been repaired with sticky tape along the folds where it has torn. It contains general orders from the Governor, notice of sales and advertising, news of ship movements, reports of a fire and notice of fugitives. At the centre top of the first page is an emblem featuring a town scape and a man sitting on stones marked '1788', surrounded by the words 'WE HOPE TO PROSPER THUS'.

Maker: New South Wales Government Printer; Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 1803

Handwriting on back page, printed in pencil 'Jhi Lauliy'.

2005/143/1

1803

169 mm