On 14 November 2005, bomb threats were made to the Brisbane public transport system. As a result, Brisbane’s CBD was evacuated and public transport systems throughout Brisbane were shut down. On the 14th, three calls were made to police warning of bombs on buses and trains in Brisbane. All bus and train services in the … Continue reading The Day Brisbane Shut Down: 14 November 2005
Category: Australian History
On this day (Australia): In 1950, the first Australian forces landed in Korea, during the war
On 17 September 1950, the first Australian forces landed in Korea, during the war. Australian casualties numbered more than 1,200, of whom 340 were killed. Only five years after the end of the Second World War, Australia became involved in the Korean War. Personnel from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1950, the first Australian forces landed in Korea, during the war
On this day (Australia): In 1956, Australian television began
On 16 September 1956, Australian television began. Television in Australia began experimentally as early as 1929 in Melbourne with radio stations 3DB and 3UZ, and 2UE in Sydney, using the Radiovision system by Gilbert Miles and Donald McDonald, and later from other locations, such as Brisbane in 1934. Mainstream television was launched on 16 September 1956 in Willoughby, New South Wales with Nine Network station TCN-9-Sydney. The new medium was introduced by advertising executive Bruce Gyngell with the … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1956, Australian television began
On this day (Australia): In 1870, work began on the Australian Overland Telegraph Line linking Port Augusta to Darwin
On 15 September 1870, work began on the Australian Overland Telegraph Line linking Port Augusta to Darwin. The Australian Overland Telegraph Line was a 3,200 km (2,000 mi) telegraph line that connected Darwin with Port Augusta in South Australia. Completed in 1872, the Overland Telegraph Line allowed fast communication between Australia and the rest of the world. An additional section was added in 1877 with the … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1870, work began on the Australian Overland Telegraph Line linking Port Augusta to Darwin
On this day (Australia): In 1957, the second phase of British nuclear tests at Maralinga began
On 14 September 1957, the British nuclear tests at Maralinga entered their second phase as Operation Antler began. These were the last British tests on mainland Australia. British nuclear tests at Maralinga were conducted between 1956 and 1963 at the Maralinga site, part of the Woomera Prohibited Area in South Australia about 800 kilometres (500 mi) north west of Adelaide. A total of seven nuclear … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1957, the second phase of British nuclear tests at Maralinga began
On this day (Australia): In 2001, Ansett airlines collapsed
On 13 September 2001, Ansett Airlines collapsed. The company was founded by Reginald "Reg" Ansett in 1935 as Ansett Airways Pty Ltd. This was an offshoot of his road transport business, which had become so successful it was threatening the freight and passenger revenue of Victorian Railways. This led the state government to legislate to put private road … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 2001, Ansett airlines collapsed
On this day (Australia): In 1854, Flinders Street Station, the first city railway station in Australia, was opened
On 12 September 1854, Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria Charles Hotham opened Flinders Street Station (pictured), the first city railway station in Australia. Flinders Street railway station is located on the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets in the central business district (CBD) of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Opened in 1854, the historic station serves the entire metropolitan rail network, as well as some country services to eastern … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1854, Flinders Street Station, the first city railway station in Australia, was opened
On this day (Australia): In 1914, Australian troops landed in German New Guinea
On 11 September 1914, Australian troops land in German New Guinea at Bita Paka (near Rabaul). On 21 September, all German forces in the colony surrendered. German New Guinea consisted of the northeastern part of the island of New Guinea and several nearby island groups and was the first part of the German colonial empire. The mainland part of … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1914, Australian troops landed in German New Guinea
On This Day (Australia): In 1996, Pauline Hanson made her first speech to the House of Representatives, and was widely condemned
On 10 September 1996, Pauline Hanson made her first speech to the Australian House of Representatives. After securing a victory in the Queensland lower house seat of Oxley, Hanson shot to prominence in her first speech when she said: "I believe we are in danger of being swamped by Asians." Pauline Hanson was elected to … Continue reading On This Day (Australia): In 1996, Pauline Hanson made her first speech to the House of Representatives, and was widely condemned
On This Day (Australia): In 1969, former Australian Democrats leader and senator Natasha Stott Despoja was born
On 9 September 1969, former Australian Democrats leader and senator Natasha Stott Despoja was born. Natasha Jessica Stott Despoja AO is an Australian politician, diplomat, advocate and author. She is the founding Chair of the Board of Our Watch, the national foundation to prevent violence against women and their children, and was previously the Australian Ambassador … Continue reading On This Day (Australia): In 1969, former Australian Democrats leader and senator Natasha Stott Despoja was born
On This Day (Australia): In 2006, motor racing champion Peter Brock died in a race in Perth
On 8 September 2006, motor racing champion Peter Brock died in a race in Perth. He was often known as "Peter Perfect", "The King of the Mountain", or simply "Brocky". Peter Geoffrey Brock AM was born on 26 February 1945 at the Epworth Hospital, Richmond, Victoria, the son of Geoff and Ruth Brock (née Laidlay). The family lived in … Continue reading On This Day (Australia): In 2006, motor racing champion Peter Brock died in a race in Perth
On This Day (Australia): In 1996, National Threatened Species Day was first held on the anniversary of the death of the last Thylacine
On 7 September 1996, National Threatened Species Day was observed for the first time. The date was chosen in memory of the last Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) in 1936. On 7 September each year, many people stop and reflect on the fact that on that same date in 1936, Australia’s Tasmanian tiger, also known as the … Continue reading On This Day (Australia): In 1996, National Threatened Species Day was first held on the anniversary of the death of the last Thylacine
On This Day (Australia): In 1990, the Royal Australian Navy commenced contributions to Operation Damask in the 1991 Gulf War
On 6 September 1990, the Royal Australian Navy commenced contributions to Operation Damask in the 1991 Gulf War. This was part of a larger international task force that was already underway. On 18 July 1990, following a build-up of diplomatic tension, the President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, charged that neighbouring Kuwait had been stealing Iraq’s … Continue reading On This Day (Australia): In 1990, the Royal Australian Navy commenced contributions to Operation Damask in the 1991 Gulf War
On This Day In Australia: In 1994, politician John Newman was murdered outside his Cabramatta home
On 5 September 1994, politician John Newman (pictured right) was murdered outside his Cabramatta home. Newman's death has been described by the media as Australia's first political assassination. John Paul Newman was an Australian politician who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1986 until his death. He was 47 when he … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1994, politician John Newman was murdered outside his Cabramatta home
On This Day In Australia: In 2006, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died after being stung by a stingray
Steve Irwin On 4 September 2006, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died after being stung by a stingray off the coast of Port Douglas, Queensland. Stephen Robert Irwin was born on 22 February1962 in Essendon, Victoria, Australia. He was an Australian wildlife conservationist, television personality, and educator who achieved worldwide fame as the exuberant host … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 2006, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, died after being stung by a stingray
On This Day In Australia: In 1901, the Flag of Australia and Australian Red Ensign were adopted by the Government of Australia as official flags
Australian Flag On 3 September 1901. the Flag of Australia and Australian Red Ensign were adopted by the Government of Australia as official flags, following a national design competition. The flag was first flown from the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Australia′s first ′Federal′ flag was chosen from a national flag competition held in 1901. Initially … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1901, the Flag of Australia and Australian Red Ensign were adopted by the Government of Australia as official flags
On This Day In Australia: In 1984, seven people were shot dead in bikie shootout in the Sydney suburb of Milperra
On 2 September 1984, seven people were shot dead in a shootout between rival bikie gangs the Bandidos and Comancheros in the Sydney suburb of Milperra. The Milperra Massacre, Milperra bikie shoot-out or Father's Day Massacre was a firearm battle between rival motorcycle gang members on 2 September (Father's Day in Australia) 1984, in Milperra, a south-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales. The … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1984, seven people were shot dead in bikie shootout in the Sydney suburb of Milperra
On This Day In Australia: In 1951, the ANZUS Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States was signed
On 1 September 1951, the ANZUS Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States was signed in San Francisco. The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS or ANZUS Treaty) is a collective security non-binding agreement between Australia and New Zealand and, separately, Australia and the United States, to co-operate on military matters in the Pacific Ocean region, although today the treaty is taken to relate … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1951, the ANZUS Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States was signed
7 May in Australian History
On this day (Australia): In 1974, Cyclone Tracy devastated the city of Darwin, killing 71 people
Darwin suburb of Wagaman On 24 December 1974, Cyclone Tracy devastated the city of Darwin. The official death toll was 71. Cyclone Tracy, which mostly hit Darwin in the small hours of Christmas Day 1974, killed 71 people and devastated 80 per cent of the city. In the days and weeks following the disaster, most … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1974, Cyclone Tracy devastated the city of Darwin, killing 71 people
On this day (Australia): In 1900, the first Governor-General, Lord Hopetoun, committed the so-called Hopetoun Blunder
John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun On 15 December 1900, upon his arrival in Australia, the first Governor-General, Lord Hopetoun, committed the so-called Hopetoun Blunder. The Hopetoun Blunder was a political event immediately prior to the Federation of the British colonies in Australia. Federation was scheduled to occur on 1 January 1901, but since the general election for the … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1900, the first Governor-General, Lord Hopetoun, committed the so-called Hopetoun Blunder
On this day (Australia): In 1918, the first Victorian Farmers Union member was elected to federal parliament. They would eventually become the National Party.
William Gibson On 14 December 1918, the first Victorian Farmers Union member was elected to parliament as a result of the introduction of preferential voting. It was later to become the National Party. The Victorian Farmers' Union (VFU) was an association of farmers and primary producers formed in 1914 in the Australian state of Victoria. Although initially formed … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1918, the first Victorian Farmers Union member was elected to federal parliament. They would eventually become the National Party.
On this day (Australia): In 2005, Bradley John Murdoch was convicted of murdering Peter Falconio in the Australian outback
Bradley John Murdoch On 13 December 2005, Bradley John Murdoch was convicted of murdering Peter Falconio in the Australian outback whilst travelling with girlfriend Joanne Lees. Bradley John Murdoch is an Australian criminal serving life imprisonment for the July 2001 murder of English backpacker Peter Falconio in Australia. He will be 74 when eligible for parole in 2032. Murdoch is being held … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 2005, Bradley John Murdoch was convicted of murdering Peter Falconio in the Australian outback
On this day (Australia): In 1815, Captain James Kelly set out on circumnavigation of Tasmania, during which important observations were made on the resources of the west coast
Captain James Kelly On 12 December 1815, Captain James Kelly set out on circumnavigation of Tasmania, during which important observations were made on the resources of the west coast. James Kelly, Australian mariner, explorer and port official, was born on 24 December 1791 at Parramatta, New South Wales. He was probably the son of James Kelly, … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1815, Captain James Kelly set out on circumnavigation of Tasmania, during which important observations were made on the resources of the west coast
On this day (Australia): In 2005, the Cronulla riots took place
Cronulla Race Riots On 11 December 2005, the Cronulla riots took place. The 2005 Cronulla riots were a race riot in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It began in the beachside suburb of Cronulla on 11 December, and spread over to additional suburbs the next few nights. The riots were triggered by an event the previous Sunday, when an altercation turned physical between a … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 2005, the Cronulla riots took place
Craig Hill 