Frederick Valentich On 21 October 1978, civilian pilot Frederick Valentich vanished in a Cessna 182 over the Bass Strait south of Melbourne, after reporting contact with an unidentified aircraft. Frederick Valentich was an Australian pilot who disappeared while on a 125-nautical-mile (232 km) training flight in a Cessna 182L light aircraft, registered VH-DSJ, over Bass Strait on the evening of Saturday 21 October … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1978, pilot Frederick Valentich vanished over the Bass Strait after reporting contact with an unidentified aircraft
Category: Australian History
On this day (Australia): In 1989, the Grafton bus crash killed 21 people and injured 22
Grafton bus crash On 20 October 1989, the Grafton bus crash killed 21 people and injured 22 when a tourist bus collided with a semi-trailer on the Pacific Highway near Grafton. This crash was one of several on the Pacific Highway involving buses during a relatively brief period. At the time, this crash was the … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1989, the Grafton bus crash killed 21 people and injured 22
On this day (Australia): In 1991, the perjury trial of former Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen ended in a hung jury
Joh Bjelke-Petersen On 19 October 1991 , the perjury trial of former Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen ended in a hung jury. Prosecutors decided against a retrial on the basis of Joh's advancing age & divided public opinion. Sir Johannes Bjelke-Petersen KCMG was born on 13 January 1911. He was an Australian conservative politician. He was the … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1991, the perjury trial of former Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen ended in a hung jury
On this day (Australia): In 1869, the Lithgow Zig Zag Railway was opened
Lithgow Zig Zag Railway On 18 October 1869, the Lithgow Zig Zag Railway was opened. Zig Zag Railway is an Australian heritage railway, situated near the town of Lithgow in the state of New South Wales. It was opened by the not-for-profit Zig Zag Railway Co-op. Ltd. as an unpaid volunteer-staffed heritage railway in October 1975, using the alignment of the Lithgow … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1869, the Lithgow Zig Zag Railway was opened
On this day (Australia): In 1854, the Melbourne daily newspaper The Age was first published
The Age First Edition On 17 October 1854, the Melbourne daily newspaper The Age was first published. The Age is a daily newspaper in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, that has been published since 1854. Owned and published by Nine Entertainment, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but copies also sell in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and southern New South Wales. It is delivered … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1854, the Melbourne daily newspaper The Age was first published
On this day (Australia): In 1975, the Balibo Five, a group of Australian television journalists based in Portuguese Timor, were killed by Indonesian troops
The Balibo Five On 16 Ocober 1975, the Balibo Five, a group of Australian television journalists based in the town of Balibo in the then Portuguese Timor (now East Timor), were killed by Indonesian troops. The Balibo Five was a group of journalists for Australian commercial television networks who were killed in the period leading up to … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1975, the Balibo Five, a group of Australian television journalists based in Portuguese Timor, were killed by Indonesian troops
On this day (Australia): In 1970, a portion of the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne collapsed, killing 35 people
West Gate Bridge Collapse On 15 October 1970, a portion of the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne collapsed, killing 35 people. The West Gate Bridge is a steel box girder cable-stayed bridge in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, spanning the Yarra River just north of its mouth into Port Phillip. It is a vital link between the inner city (CBD) and Melbourne's western suburbs, with … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1970, a portion of the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne collapsed, killing 35 people
On this day (Australia): In 1824, W. C. Wentworth and Robert Wardell began publication of The Australian, the first independent newspaper in Australia
Front page of the first edition of The Australian in 1824 On 14 October 1824, W. C. Wentworth and Robert Wardell began publication of The Australian, the first independent newspaper in Australia. Not to be confused with the modern day publication of the same name, it was published in Sydney from1824-1848. It first appeared in … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1824, W. C. Wentworth and Robert Wardell began publication of The Australian, the first independent newspaper in Australia
On this day (Australia): In 1982, Ian Thorpe was born
Ian Thorpe On 13 October 1982, Ian Thorpe was borne in Milperra, Sydney. He is one of Australia's most successful Olympians. He started swimming at age five and was fourteen when he made the Australian squad for the 1997 Pan Pacific Games. At the World Championships six months later, Thorpe was victorious in the final … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1982, Ian Thorpe was born
On this day (Australia): In 2002, eighty-eight Australians were killed in Bali in bombings committed by Jemaah Islamiyah
The Sari Club On 12 October 2002, eighty-eight Australians were killed in Bali in bombings committed by Jemaah Islamiyah. At about 11pm on 12 October 2002 three bombs were detonated in Bali, two in busy nightspots – the Sari Club and Paddy’s Bar – and one in front of the American consulate. The explosions killed … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 2002, eighty-eight Australians were killed in Bali in bombings committed by Jemaah Islamiyah
On this day (Australia): In 1852, the University of Sydney was inaugurated, Australia’s first university
University of Sydney On 11 October 1852, the University of Sydney was inaugurated, Australia's first university. The University of Sydney (USYD, or informally Sydney Uni) is a public research university located in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is Australia's first university and is regarded as one of the world's leading universities. The university is one of Australia's six sandstone universities. Its campus, … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1852, the University of Sydney was inaugurated, Australia’s first university
On this day (Australia): In 1996, schoolboy Tjandamurra O’Shane was set alight in his school playground in a racial attack
Tjandamurra O'Shane On 10 October 1996, schoolboy Tjandamurra O'Shane was set alight in his school playground in a racial attack. Tjandamurra (Jandamarra) "Janda" O'Shane, born 15 August 1990, is a Murri Aboriginal Australian who at age six was the victim of a fire attack whilst playing at a schoolyard in Cairns, Queensland on 10 October 1996. He is the nephew of New South Wales magistrate Pat … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1996, schoolboy Tjandamurra O’Shane was set alight in his school playground in a racial attack
On this day (Australia): In 1942, The Statute of Westminster Adoption Act, which symbolically represents Australia’s independence from the United Kingdom, became law
Assent of Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942 On 9 October 1942, The Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942, which symbolically represents Australia's independence from the United Kingdom, became law. The Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942 is an Act of the Australian Parliament that formally adopted sections 2–6 of the Statute of Westminster 1931, an Act of the Parliament of the United … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1942, The Statute of Westminster Adoption Act, which symbolically represents Australia’s independence from the United Kingdom, became law
On this day (Australia): In 1908, the capital of Australia was chosen, settling a feud between rivals Melbourne and Sydney
Federal Parliament 1927 On 8 October 1908, the capital of Australia was chosen, settling a feud between rivals Melbourne and Sydney. Before European settlement, the area in which Canberra would eventually be constructed was seasonally inhabited by Indigenous Australians. Anthropologist Norman Tindale suggested the principal group occupying the region were the Ngunnawal people, while the Ngarigo lived immediately to the south of … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1908, the capital of Australia was chosen, settling a feud between rivals Melbourne and Sydney
On this day (Australia): In 1830, the “Black Line” campaign of the Black War began in an attempt to capture all Tasmanian Aborigines
Residence of the Aborigines, Flinders Island by John Skinner Prout On 7 October 1830, the "Black Line" campaign of the Black War began in an attempt to capture all Tasmanian Aborigines. The campaign lasted seven weeks and only succeeded in bringing two Aborigines to the authorities. From the first recorded contact between Europeans and Tasmania’s Aboriginal … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1830, the “Black Line” campaign of the Black War began in an attempt to capture all Tasmanian Aborigines
On this day (Australia): In 1911, compulsory enrolment for compulsory voting was introduced
Voting in Australia On 6 October 1911, compulsory enrolment for compulsory voting was introduced in Australia. Compulsory voting was first advocated by Alfred Deakin at the turn of the 20th century. Voting was voluntary at the first 9 federal elections. Compulsory enrolment for federal elections was introduced in 1911. In 1915, consideration was given to … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1911, compulsory enrolment for compulsory voting was introduced
On this day (Australia): In 1892, The Australian Cricket Council announced an intercolonial cricket competition called the Sheffield Shield
Sheffield Shield On 5 October 1892, the Australian Cricket Council announced an intercolonial cricket competition to be known as the Sheffield Shield. The Sheffield Shield is one of the oldest cricket competitions in the world. Beginning in 1892-93 as a three-state contest between New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, the Sheffield Shield continues to … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1892, The Australian Cricket Council announced an intercolonial cricket competition called the Sheffield Shield
On this day (Australia): In 1935, Luna Park in Sydney was officially opened
Luna Park On 4 October 1935, Luna Park in Sydney was officially opened. The famous face pictured above is the entrance to Luna Park, Sydney’s most famous amusement park and mainstay since the 1930s, albeit with a history of closures, overhalls, protests, brawls and terrible tragedy along the way. Prior to European settlement of Australia … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1935, Luna Park in Sydney was officially opened
On this day (Australia): In 1950, Australian forces fought against communist China in the First Battle of Maryang San during the Korean War
General James Van Fleet of the 8th US Army in Korea, inspects members of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment On 3 October 1950, Australian and British forces fought against communist China as the First Battle of Maryang San began during the Korean War. In early October 1951, 3RAR (3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment), … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1950, Australian forces fought against communist China in the First Battle of Maryang San during the Korean War
On this day (Australia): In 1990, opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland announced her retirement
Dame Joan Sutherland On 2 October 1990, opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland announced her retirement. She was an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano known for her contribution to the renaissance of the bel canto repertoire from the late 1950s through to the 1980s. She possessed a voice combining extraordinary agility, accurate intonation, "supremely" pinpoint staccatos, a trill and a tremendous upper register, although music … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1990, opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland announced her retirement
On this day (Australia): In 2005, the Bali bombings took place, killing 23 people and injuring 129. Four of the dead and 19 of the injured were Australian.
The bomb blast scene in Kuta, Bali On 1 October 200, the Bali bombings took place, killing 23 people (including the three suicide bombers) and injuring 129. Four of the dead and 19 of the injured were Australian. The 2005 Bali bombings were a series of terrorist suicide bomb and a series of car bombs and attacks that occurred on … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 2005, the Bali bombings took place, killing 23 people and injuring 129. Four of the dead and 19 of the injured were Australian.
On this day (Australia): In 1976, Blue Hills, the long running ABC radio serial, came to an end after 32 years
Blue Hills Book On 30 September 1976, Blue Hills, the long running ABC radio serial, came to an end after 32 years. Blue Hills, created and written by Gwen Meredith, is an Australian radio serial about the lives of families, set in a fictional typical Australian country town called Tanimbla. The title "Blue Hills" itself derives from the … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1976, Blue Hills, the long running ABC radio serial, came to an end after 32 years
On this day (Australia): In 1942, Janet Powell, former leader of The Australian Democrats, was born in Nhill, Victoria
Janet Powell On 29 September 1942, Janet Powell AM, former leader of The Australian Democrats, was born in Nhill, Victoria. She became the third leader of The Australian Democrats. Janet Frances McDonald, was born in Nhill, Victoria, then educated at Ballarat Grammar School and Nhill High School. She graduated from the University of Melbourne with … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1942, Janet Powell, former leader of The Australian Democrats, was born in Nhill, Victoria
On this day (Australia): In 1962, the Paddington tram depot fire destroyed 67 trams in Brisbane
Brisbane Tram Depot Fire On 28 September 1962, the Paddington tram depot fire destroyed 67 trams in Brisbane. The Paddington tram depot in Brisbane, Australia was destroyed by fire on the night of 28 September 1962, one of the largest fires in Brisbane's history. As well as the depot, 67 trams were destroyed, 20% of the city's fleet. The destruction of … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1962, the Paddington tram depot fire destroyed 67 trams in Brisbane
On this day (Australia): In 1932, Maude Bonney became the first woman to fly around Australia
Maude Bonney On 27 September 1932, Maude Bonney became the first woman to fly around Australia. Maude Rose ‘Lores’ Rubens was born on 20 November 1897 in Pretoria, South African Republic, the only child of German-born Norbert Albert Rubens, a clerk and later a merchant, and his locally born wife Rosa Caroline, formerly Staal, née … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1932, Maude Bonney became the first woman to fly around Australia
Craig Hill 