George William Jackson, View of Portland Bay, 1836, watercolour, gift of Mrs HG Lamb-Smith, 1958, H17710

Edward Henty (1800–78) and his brothers have been credited with establishing Victoria's first permanent European settlement, at Portland Bay. A whaling depot had been established there by 1828, and Henty first visited the area from Van Diemen's Land in 1833 in search of pastoral land. On 19 November 1834 he returned with a group of labourers on board the Thistle to permanently occupy land and farm sheep. By 1837 he had been joined by his brothers Francis, Stephen and John. The Hentys imported merino sheep and fruit trees, and also became involved in whaling.