Signing of the ANZUS Treaty in 1951 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 … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1951, the ANZUS Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States was signed
Category: Australian History
On This Day In Australia: In 1992, the Sydney Harbour Tunnel officially opened
Sydney Harbour Tunnel On 30 August 1992, the Sydney Harbour Tunnel officially opened. The Sydney Harbour Tunnel is a twin-tube road tunnel in Sydney, Australia. The tunnel was completed and opened to traffic to provide a second vehicular crossing of Sydney Harbour to alleviate congestion on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is one of two tunnels under the harbour, the … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1992, the Sydney Harbour Tunnel officially opened
On This Day In Australia: In 2001, Graeme “Shirley” Strachan, former lead singer of Skyhooks, was killed in a helicopter accident
Graeme "Shirley" Strachan On 29 August 2001, Graeme "Shirley" Strachan, lead singer of Australian 1970s rock group Skyhooks, was killed in a helicopter accident. Graeme Ronald Strachan was born in Malvern, Victoria on 2 January 1952 and grew up in Mount Waverley. He was the older brother of three sisters, the children of Ronald Strachan, a carpenter and former … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 2001, Graeme “Shirley” Strachan, former lead singer of Skyhooks, was killed in a helicopter accident
On This Day In Australia: In 1933, The Courier-Mail was first published in Brisbane
Sir Keith Murdoch On 28 August 1933, the Brisbane newspaper, The Courier-Mail, first appeared. The Courier-Mail is a right leaning newspaper with four editorial endorsements for the Coalition to one for Labor in the period 1996–2007. The Courier-Mail generally supports free market economic policies and the process of globalisation. It supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The history of The Courier-Mail is through four mastheads. The Moreton Bay Courier later … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1933, The Courier-Mail was first published in Brisbane
On This Day In Australia: In 1908, Sir Donald Bradman was born
Donald Bradman On 27 August 1908, Australian cricketer Sir Donald George Bradman was born in Cootamundra, NSW. Nicknamed "The Don", the Australian international cricketer, is widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time. Bradman's career Test batting average of 99.94 has been cited as the greatest achievement by any sportsman in any major sport. The story that the young Bradman practised … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1908, Sir Donald Bradman was born
On This Day In Australia: In 1768, Captain Cook left Plymouth on a voyage that would lead him to Australia
The Endeavour On 26 August 1768, Captain James Cook left Plymouth, England, on the ship Endeavour for his first voyage. This trip would eventually lead him to discover the east coast of Australia. James Cook’s first voyage circumnavigated the globe in the ship Endeavour, giving the botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander the opportunity to collect … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1768, Captain Cook left Plymouth on a voyage that would lead him to Australia
On This Day In Australia: In 1824, the Legislative Council of New South Wales sat for the first time
NSW Government House On 25 August 1824, with Governor Brisbane presiding, the Legislative Council (Australia’s first Legislative body) held its first meeting at the then NSW Government House. The first Act, a Currency Act, was passed by the Council on 28 September 1824. In 1823 the British Parliament passed an Act "for the better administration … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1824, the Legislative Council of New South Wales sat for the first time
On This Day In Australia: In 2001, the Tampa crisis began when a boatload of refugees, mainly from Afghanistan, sent out a distress call
Refugees on the MV Tampa At dawn on 24 August 2001, a 20-metre wooden fishing boat, the Palapa 1, with 438 (369 men, 26 women and 43 children) mainly Hazara from Afghanistan, became stranded in international waters about 140 km north of Christmas Island. On 26 August, Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) Australia, which had been aware of the vessel's … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 2001, the Tampa crisis began when a boatload of refugees, mainly from Afghanistan, sent out a distress call
On This Day In Australia: In 1966, Gurindji workers walked off Wave Hill and began their seven-year strike
Vincent Lingiari, addressing the media after Prime Minister Gough Whitlam officially returns Aboriginal land at Wattie Creek On 23 August 1966, led by Vincent Lingiari, 200 Gurindji stockmen, domestic workers and their families initiated a seven-year strike at Wave Hill station in the Northern Territory. Negotiations with the station owners, the international food company Vestey … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1966, Gurindji workers walked off Wave Hill and began their seven-year strike
On This Day In Australia: In 1930, the two spans of the Sydney Harbour Bridge were joined
Sydney Harbour Bridge On 22 August 1930, the two spans of the Sydney Harbour Bridge were joined, making the bridge self-supporting and allowing the cables to be removed. With the span complete, vertical hangers were attached to the arch and from these the bridge deck could be built. The deck was completed in June 1931. The … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1930, the two spans of the Sydney Harbour Bridge were joined
On This Day In Australia: In 1943, Enid Lyons and Dorothy Tangney were the first Australian women elected to parliament
Dorothy Tangney (left) and Dame Enid Lyons entering Parliament House, 24 September 1943 On 21 August 1943, Enid Lyons and Dorothy Tangney were the first Australian women elected to the Australian House of Representatives and Senate respectively. In 1902 Australia became the first nation to introduce equal federal suffrage. The enactment of the Commonwealth Franchise Act in … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1943, Enid Lyons and Dorothy Tangney were the first Australian women elected to parliament
On This Day In Australia: In 2003, Pauline Hanson was sentenced to three years in prison for electoral fraud
Pauline Hanson On 20 August 2003, politicians Pauline Hanson and David Ettridge were sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of electoral fraud in Queensland. The charges were later overturned. Hanson and Ettridge were each sentenced to three years jail without parole under the Criminal Code (Qld). In handing down the sentences, District Court … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 2003, Pauline Hanson was sentenced to three years in prison for electoral fraud
On This Day In Australia: In 1961, Four Corners first screened on Australian TV
Four Corners On 19 August 1961, Four Corners, an Australian investigative journalism/current affairs documentary television program, premiered on ABC TV. It is the longest-running Australian television program in history. The program is one of only five in Australia inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame. Four Corners is based on the concept of British current affairs program Panorama. The program addresses … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1961, Four Corners first screened on Australian TV
On This Day In Australia: In 1986, Janine Haines became leader of the Australian Democrats and Australia’s first female party leader
Janine Haines On 18 August 1986, Janine Haines become the leader of the Australian Democrats and Australia’s first female party leader. Janine Winton Carter was born on 8 May 1945 in Tanunda, South Australia. She was an Australian politician who was a Senator for South Australia from 1977 to 1978 and again from 1981 to 1990. She represented the Australian … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1986, Janine Haines became leader of the Australian Democrats and Australia’s first female party leader
On This Day In Australia: In 1980, baby Azaria Chamberlain was taken from Uluru by a dingo
Newspaper Report On 17 August 1980 nine-week-old Azaria Chamberlain was taken by a dingo from a tent at Uluru. Her death led to one of Australia’s biggest legal and media events. It was not until 2012, at a fourth coronial inquest, that a certificate was finally issued stating her true cause of death. Northern Territory … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1980, baby Azaria Chamberlain was taken from Uluru by a dingo
On This Day In Australia: In 1998, two Victorian police officers were murdered in Moorabbin
Gary Silk and Rodney Miller On the night of 15 August 1998, Sergeant Gary Silk, 34 and Senior Constable Rodney Miller, 35 were seconded to Victoria Police Armed Robbery Squad operation named Operation Hamada investigating a series of armed robberies committed at at least ten restaurants over a seven-year period, starting on 20 February 1991. … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1998, two Victorian police officers were murdered in Moorabbin
On This Day In Australia: In 1969, Bernard Fanning, lead singer of Powderfinger, was born
Bernard Fanning On 15 August 1969, Bernard Fanning was born. He would go on to become the lead singer of Queensland alternative rock band Powderfinger. Born and raised in Toowong, Brisbane, Fanning was taught the piano by his mother at an early age. At the age of 15, while attending St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace, he began writing … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1969, Bernard Fanning, lead singer of Powderfinger, was born
On This Day In Australia: In 1984, the racehorse Fine Cotton was the centre of a substitution scam in Queensland
Bold Personality, substituted as Fine Cotton, immediately after the race On 14 August 1984, the racehorse Fine Cotton was the centre of a substitution scam at Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane, Queensland. A horse called Bold Personality had run the race disguised to resemble Fine Cotton, to deceive bookmakers for millions. Wagers on sporting events have … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1984, the racehorse Fine Cotton was the centre of a substitution scam in Queensland
On This Day In Australia: In 1940, three members of the Australian Cabinet were killed in the Canberra air disaster
Canberra Air Disaster On 13 August 1940, three members of the Australian Cabinet were killed, along with the Chief of the General Staff of the Australian Army, in the Canberra air disaster. The 10 people killed included distinguished World War I veterans. There were also four Royal Australian Air Force crew on board the Hudson … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1940, three members of the Australian Cabinet were killed in the Canberra air disaster
On This Day In Australia: In 1900, Frederick Lane won the men’s 200 metre freestyle race at the 1900 Olympics
Beginning of Men's 200 metres final at 1900 Olympics On 12 August 1900, Frederick Lane won the men's 200 metre freestyle at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. He was the first person to represent Australia in swimming. Frederick Claude Vivian Lane was born in Manly, New South Wales on 2 February 1880. He was four … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1900, Frederick Lane won the men’s 200 metre freestyle race at the 1900 Olympics
On This Day In Australia: In 1989, a pilots’ strike crippled Australia’s domestic air travel
Domestic passengers boarding an RAAF plane On 11 August 1989, Australia's domestic pilot's started working 9-5 in protest at stalled wage increase demands. This later developed into a full scale strike that crippled domestic air travel in Australia, and from which Australia has never completely recovered. The 1989 Australian pilots' dispute was one of the most expensive … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1989, a pilots’ strike crippled Australia’s domestic air travel
On This Day In Australia: In 1853, a Jubilee Festival was held in Hobart to mark the cessation of convict transportation to the colony
Banner of the Australasian League On 10 August 1853, a Jubilee Festival was held in Hobart to mark the cessation of convict transportation to the colony. To avoid it being closed down, organisers told the government it was to celebrate 50 years of settlement in Tasmania. The Jubilee anthem rang out across Launceston’s Princes Square … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1853, a Jubilee Festival was held in Hobart to mark the cessation of convict transportation to the colony
On This Day In Australia: In 1942, HMAS Canberra was sunk in the Battle of Savo Island
HMAS Canberra On 9 August 1942, HMAS Canberra was sunk in the Battle of Savo Island, one of the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Despite the loss of this battle, the allies went on to win the Battle for Guadalcanal. HMAS Canberra was one of two 10,000 ton County Class Heavy Cruisers ordered by the Australian Government … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1942, HMAS Canberra was sunk in the Battle of Savo Island
On This Day In Australia: In 1895, the steamship Catterthun struck rocks in NSW, killing 55 people
The SS Catterthun On 8 August 1895, the steamship SS Catterthun struck Seal Rock, New South Wales, and foundered, killing fifty-five people. The Catterthun disaster remains one of the worst shipping tragedies to have occurred on the New South Wales coast. The steamer left the Eastern and Australian Steamship Company's wharf in Sydney during the afternoon of … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1895, the steamship Catterthun struck rocks in NSW, killing 55 people
On This Day In Australia: In 1975, David Hicks, a former prisoner at Guantánamo Bay, was born in Adelaide
David Hicks On 7 August 1975, David Hicks was born in Adelaide, South Australia. He would go on to become a prisoner of the United States Government at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. He attended Al Qaeda's Al Farouq training camp in Afghanistan, and met with Osama Bin Laden during 2001. He was then detained by the United States in Guantanamo Bay detention camp from 2002 until 2007. … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1975, David Hicks, a former prisoner at Guantánamo Bay, was born in Adelaide
Craig Hill 