Michael Howe On 10 December 1817, bushranger Michael Howe ws caught, but escaped after killing his captors. Michael Howe was a British convict who became a notorious bushranger and gang leader in Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania), Australia. Howe was born in 1787 at Pontefract, Yorkshire, England, son of Thomas Howe and his wife Elizabeth. He served two years on a merchant vessel at Hull before deserting to … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1817, bushranger Michael Howe was caught, but escaped after killing his captors
Category: Australian History
On this day (Australia): In 1906, Pastor “Doug” Nicholls, of the Yorta Yorta people, and Governor of South Australia, was born
Sir Doug Nicholls On 9 December 1906, Pastor "Doug" Nicholls, of the Yorta Yorta people, and Governor of South Australia, was born. Sir Douglas Ralph Nicholls, KCVO, OBE was a prominent Aboriginal Australian from the Yorta Yorta people. He was a professional athlete, Churches of Christ pastor and church planter, ceremonial officer and a pioneering campaigner for reconciliation. Nicholls was the first Aboriginal Australian to … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1906, Pastor “Doug” Nicholls, of the Yorta Yorta people, and Governor of South Australia, was born
On this day (Australia): In 1988, Mabo v Queensland (No 1) in the High Court of Australia found that the Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act, which attempted to retrospectively abolish native title rights, was not valid
Eddie Mabo On 8 December 1988, Mabo v Queensland (1988) in the High Court of Australia found that the Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act, which attempted to retrospectively abolish native title rights, was not valid. Mabo v Queensland (No 1), was a significant court case decided in the High Court of Australia on 8 December 1988. It found that the Queensland … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1988, Mabo v Queensland (No 1) in the High Court of Australia found that the Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act, which attempted to retrospectively abolish native title rights, was not valid
On this day (Australia): In 1838, Thomas Bent, one of Australia’s more colourful politicians and Premier of Victoria, was born in Penrith, New South Wales.
Sir Thomas Bent In 1838, Thomas Bent was born in Penrith, New South Wales. Sir Thomas Bent KCMG was an Australian politician and the 22nd Premier of Victoria. Bent was born in Penrith, New South Wales the eldest of four sons and two daughters of James Bent, a hotel-keeper. He came to Melbourne with his parents in 1849. He went to school in … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1838, Thomas Bent, one of Australia’s more colourful politicians and Premier of Victoria, was born in Penrith, New South Wales.
On this day (Australia): In 1956, the Blood in the Water water polo match between Hungary and the USSR was played at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics
Hungarian water polo player Ervin Zador's eye is injured during the closing minutes of a game against the Soviets O 6 December 1956, the Blood in the Water water polo match between Hungary and the USSR was played at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. The "Blood in the Water" match (Hungarian: melbourne-i vérfürdő lit. Blood bath of Melbourne; Russian: Кровь в бассейне, romanized: Krov' … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1956, the Blood in the Water water polo match between Hungary and the USSR was played at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics
On this day (Australia): In 1958, construction of Stage I of the Sydney Opera House began
Sydney Opera House On 5 December 195, construction of Stage I of the Sydney Opera House began. The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney. Located on the banks of the Sydney Harbour, it is often regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings and a masterpiece of 20th century architecture. Designed by Danish … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1958, construction of Stage I of the Sydney Opera House began
On this day (Australia): In 1976, the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of Grumman Tracker aircraft was destroyed by arson at Nowra, New South Wales
HMAS Albatross Fire 1976 On 4 December 1976, the Royal Australian Navy's fleet of Grumman Tracker aircraft was destroyed by arson at Nowra, New South Wales. On that day, a hanger, home to 12 Grumman Tracker aircraft was intentionally set on fire, destroying all but three aircraft. Six were totally destroyed, three were damaged beyond … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1976, the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of Grumman Tracker aircraft was destroyed by arson at Nowra, New South Wales
On this day (Australia): In 1854, the Eureka Stockade took place
Swearing Allegiance to the Southern Cross by Charles A Doudiet On 3 December 1854, the Eureka Stockade took place. It was a rebellion of goldminers near Ballarat. On 30 November 1854 miners from the Victorian town of Ballarat, disgruntled with the way the colonial government had been administering the goldfields, swore allegiance to the Southern Cross … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1854, the Eureka Stockade took place
On this day (Australia): In 1972, Gough Whitlam became Prime Minister, leading the first Labor government in 23 years
Gough Whitlam making his famous "It's Time" speech during the 1972 election campaign On 2 December 1972, Gough Whitlam became Prime Minister, leading the first Labor government in 23 years. The new government proved to be resolutely reformist and enacted an unprecedented amount of legislation that would do much to create a new Australian identity … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1972, Gough Whitlam became Prime Minister, leading the first Labor government in 23 years
On this day (Australia): In 1982, the Commonwealth introduced the Freedom of Information Act
Freedom of Information Act 1982 On 1 December 1982, the Commonwealth introduced the Freedom of Information Act. The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI) is Australian Commonwealth Freedom of Information legislation which gives members of the public rights of access to official documents of the Government of the Commonwealth and of its agencies. Members of the public have certain rights … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1982, the Commonwealth introduced the Freedom of Information Act
On this day (Australia): In 1878, Advance Australia Fair was first sung publicly
Advance Australia Fair On 30 November 1878, Advance Australia Fair was first sung publicly at the Highland Society of NSW's annual Scottish concert in the Protestant Hall, Sydney. "Advance Australia Fair" is the national anthem of Australia. Written by Scottish-born composer Peter Dodds McCormick, the song was first performed in 1878, sung in Australia as a patriotic song. It first … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1878, Advance Australia Fair was first sung publicly
On this day (Australia): In 1988, the four acts granting the Australian Capital Territory self-government were given royal assent
Opening of Parliament House in 1988 On 29 November 1988, the four acts granting the Australian Capital Territory self-government were given royal assent. Indigenous Australian peoples have long inhabited the area in what is now the ACT. Evidence indicates habitation dating back at least 25,000 years. It is possible that the area was inhabited for considerably longer, … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1988, the four acts granting the Australian Capital Territory self-government were given royal assent
On this day (Australia): In 1903, Australia had its first major oil spill, which exposed the barbarity of the White Australia Policy
SS Petriana On 28 November 1903, the Petriana spilled 1,300 tonnes of crude oil in Port Phillip Bay. It was Australia's first recorded major oil spill. SS Petriana was an iron screw steamer built in 1879 that was converted into an oil tanker. On 28 November 1903, while transporting 1,300 tonnes of petroleum from Borneo to Australia, it struck a reef near Point Nepean, Victoria, outside … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1903, Australia had its first major oil spill, which exposed the barbarity of the White Australia Policy
On this day (Australia): In 1979, the first day-night ODI cricket international was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground
SCG Night Cricket 1979 On 27 November 1979, the first day-night ODI cricket international was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground. A One Day International (ODI) is a form of limited overs cricket, played between two teams with international status, in which each team faces a fixed number of overs, currently 50, with the game lasting up to 9 … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1979, the first day-night ODI cricket international was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground
On this day (Australia): In 1987, the National Party deposed Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen as party leader, but he refused to resign as Premier of Queensland
Joh Bjelke-Petersen On 26 November 1987, the National Party deposed Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen as party leader, but he refused to resign as Premier of Queensland. He was not present at the caucus meeting. Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen KCMG was an Australian conservative politician. He was the longest-serving and longest-lived Premier of Queensland, holding office from 1968 to 1987, during … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1987, the National Party deposed Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen as party leader, but he refused to resign as Premier of Queensland
On this day (Australia): In 1910, the Royal Australian Navy was established by the Naval Defence Act
HMAS Yarra 1910 On 25 November 1910, the Royal Australian Navy was officially established by the Naval Defence Act. The Commonwealth Naval Forces were originally established on 1 March 1901, with the amalgamation of the six separate colonial naval forces, following the Federation of Australia. The Royal Australian Navy initially consisted of the former New South Wales, … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1910, the Royal Australian Navy was established by the Naval Defence Act
On this day (Australia): In 1934, the ANZAC War Memorial in Sydney was opened
Opening of the ANZAC Memorial On 24 November 1934, the ANZAC War Memorial in Sydney was opened. The Anzac Memorial is a heritage-listed war memorial, museum and monument located in Hyde Park South near Liverpool Street in the CBD of Sydney, Australia. It is also known as Anzac War Memorial, War Memorial Hyde Park and Hyde Park Memorial. The Art Deco monument was designed by C. Bruce Dellit, with the exterior … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1934, the ANZAC War Memorial in Sydney was opened
On this day (Australia): In 1932, the statue of The Dog on the Tuckerbox was unveiled at Gundagai
Dog on the Tuckerbox On 23 November 1932, the statue of The Dog on the Tuckerbox was unveiled at Gundagai, New South Wales by Prime Minister Joseph Lyons. The Dog on the Tuckerbox is an Australian historical monument and tourist attraction, located at Snake Gully, approximately five miles (eight kilometres) from Gundagai, New South Wales as described in the song of the … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1932, the statue of The Dog on the Tuckerbox was unveiled at Gundagai
On this day (Australia): In 1956, the Summer Olympics opened in Melbourne, Victoria
The flame was lit at the Olympic stadium by Ron Clarke, who accidentally burned his arm in the process. On 22 November 1956, the Summer Olympics opened at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, in Melbourne, Victoria. They were the first Olympic Games held in Australia. Melbourne was selected as the host city over bids from Buenos Aires, Mexico … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1956, the Summer Olympics opened in Melbourne, Victoria
On this day (Australia): In 1789, James Ruse became the first convict to receive a land grant
Parramatta in 1812 On 21 November 1789, James Ruse became the first convict to receive a land grant. James Ruse, pioneer and smallholder, was born on 9 August 1759 at Launceston, Cornwall, England. At the Cornwall Assizes in 1782 he was convicted of burglarious breaking and entering; his capital sentence was changed to transportation to … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1789, James Ruse became the first convict to receive a land grant
On this day (Australia): In 2002, John Howard said that Australia would begin withdrawing its 150 commandos from Afghanistan
Operation Slipper involved more than 33,000 members of the Defence Force, Public Service and Federal Police who have been deployed to Afghanistan and the Middle East. On 20 November 2002, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said that Australia would begin withdrawing its 150 commandos from Afghanistan later that month. The Australian contribution to the war in Afghanistan has … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 2002, John Howard said that Australia would begin withdrawing its 150 commandos from Afghanistan
On this day (Australia): In 1941, all 645 aboard the HMAS Sydney died in a battle with the German ship Kormoran off Western Australia
HMAS Sydney On 19 November 1941, the cruiser HMAS Sydney was involved in a mutually destructive battle with the German ship Kormoran off Western Australia. All 645 aboard Sydney died. The battle between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran ("cormorant') was a single-ship action that occurred on 19 November 1941, off the coast of Western Australia. Sydney, … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1941, all 645 aboard the HMAS Sydney died in a battle with the German ship Kormoran off Western Australia
On this day (Australia): In 1941, Operation Crusader, the successful attempt to relieve the Siege of Tobruk, began
Australian Crusader Tank at El Alamein On 18 November 1941. Operation Crusader, the third, and ultimately successful attempt to relieve the Siege of Tobruk, began. Operation Crusader was a military operation of the Western Desert Campaign during the Second World War by the British Eighth Army (with Australian, Comonwealth, Indian and Allied contingents) against the Axis forces (German and Italian) in North … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1941, Operation Crusader, the successful attempt to relieve the Siege of Tobruk, began
On this day (Australia): In 1954, Melbourne underworld criminal figure, writer, and actor Chopper Read was born
Mark "Chopper" Read On 17 November 1954, Melbourne underworld criminal figure, writer, and actor Chopper Read was born. Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read was an Australian convicted criminal, gang member and author. Read wrote a series of semi-autobiographical fictional crime novels and children's books. The 2000 film Chopper is based on his life. Read was born on 17 November … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1954, Melbourne underworld criminal figure, writer, and actor Chopper Read was born
On this day (Australia): In 1952, Lang Hancock discovered iron ore deposits in the Pilbara region of Western Australia
Lang Hancock On 16 November 1952, Lang Hancock discovered iron ore deposits in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Langley Frederick George "Lang" Hancock was an Australian iron ore magnate from Western Australia who maintained a high profile in the spheres of business and politics. Famous initially for discovering the world's largest iron ore deposit in 1952 and becoming one … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1952, Lang Hancock discovered iron ore deposits in the Pilbara region of Western Australia
Craig Hill 