Convict+jobs

In the early years, convicts were put to work immediately on building projects, particularly roads, and farming. New buildings needed to be constructed as the first shelters were just tents and lean-tos.

The first jobs involved clearing the land. The convicts had to chop down trees, then cut the wood up for practical uses such as building. They needed to clear the shrubs and low bushes as well, and prepare the ground for tilling and planting. This was hard work as most of the English tools were unable to stand up to the demands of Australia's harsher, rocky soil.

The convicts also had to quarry rock and haul it. This was used for building, and in the construction of roads and bridges.

Some of the convicts were assigned as servants to the free settlers or the officers. As the colony developed, the convicts worked in more skilled areas such as smithing, building tools, and even more intellectual pursuits where they showed aptitude. One of Australia's most famous architects, Francis Greenway, was a convict. Another convict with a background in printing was given permission to establish the colony's first newspaper.

Source: [|http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_work_did_convicts_do_when_they_arrived_in_Australia#ixzz1lrQtrY1l]

Governor Philip founded a system of labour in which convicts were employed according to their skills. In England they may have been carpenters, cooks, servants, shepherds and farmers. Educated convicts were set to the relatively easy work of record-keeping for the convict administration. From 1810, convicts were seen as a source of labour to build and maintain the public facilities roads, bridges, courthouses and hospitals. Convicts also worked for free settlers and small land holders.

Source: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/discover_collections/history_nation/justice/convict/convict.html

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Taking notes 5AM Taking notes 5TB Taking notes 5MR Governor Philip founded a system of labour in which convicts were employed according to their skills. In England they may have been carpenters, cooks, servants, shepherds and farmers. Educated convicts were set to the relatively easy work of record-keeping for the convict administration. From 1810, convicts were seen as a source of labour to build and maintain the public facilities roads, bridges, courthouses and hospitals. Convicts also worked for free settlers and small land holders.