The Bible Society began its Australia mission in April 1807, unofficially, as stated in its third annual report that the reach of the Society in spreading 'the precious gifts of God's Word' had been felt in the most distance of corners within the Commonwealth. The Society was originally founded in London in the year 1804.
The third annual report stated: "The long arm of this benevolent Society has already reached out to the most distant posts of Empire, laden with its precious gifts of God's Word".
The first state to receive the Bible was Tasmania, with 50 Bibles and 100 New Testaments given to Governor Collins for Van Dieman's Land. The distribution of the Bible and the New Testament began to spread to other states.
The Bible Society New South Wales commemorated the founding of the Bible Society in Australia 200 years ago, by continuing the tradition of distributing the scripture to chaplains and theological students.