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
On this day (Australia): In 1983, Australia II won the America’s Cup
Australia II On 26 September 1983, Australia II won the America's Cup, ending the New York Yacht Club's 132-year domination of the race. Australia II (KA 6) was an Australian 12-metre-class America's Cup challenge racing yacht that was launched in 1982 and won the 1983 America's Cup for the Royal Perth Yacht Club. Skippered by John Bertrand, she was the first successful Cup challenger, ending a … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1983, Australia II won the America’s Cup
On this day (Australia): In 1998, there was an explosion at the Esso natural gas plant at Longford in Gippsland
Longford Gas Explosion On 25 September 1998, there was an explosion at the Esso natural gas plant at Longford in Gippsland. Two workers were killed and eight injured. The Esso Longford gas explosion was a catastrophic industrial accident which occurred at the Esso natural gas plant at Longford in the Australian state of Victoria's Gippsland region. On 25 September 1998, an explosion took place at the plant, killing two workers and injuring … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1998, there was an explosion at the Esso natural gas plant at Longford in Gippsland
On this day (Australia): In 1903, Alfred Deakin became the second Prime Minister of Australia
Alfred Deakin On 24 September 1903, Alfred Deakin became the second Prime Minister of Australia, following the resignation of Edmund Barton. He was Prime Minister three times from 24 September 1903 to 27 April 1904, 5 July 1905 to 13 November 1908, 2 June 1909 to 29 April 1910. He was one of two prime … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1903, Alfred Deakin became the second Prime Minister of Australia
On this day (Australia): In 1856, Perth was proclaimed a city by Queen Victoria
Perth 1856 On 23 September 1856, the town of Perth in Western Australia was proclaimed a city by letters patent from Queen Victoria. Perth was founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony. It gained city status (currently vested in the smaller City of Perth) in 1856 and was promoted to … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1856, Perth was proclaimed a city by Queen Victoria
On this day (Australia): In 1918, the first direct radio message between London and Sydney was sent
First direct radio message between London and Sydney On 22 September 1918, the first direct radio message between London and Sydney was sent. "Send reinforcements, we are going to advance". That through being "altered in transit" was relayed as "Send three and four pence, we are going to a dance". Same principle as the parlour … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1918, the first direct radio message between London and Sydney was sent
On this day (Australia): In 2000, French athlete Marie-José Pérec fled the Sydney Olympic village claiming threats and insults
Marie-José Pérec On 21 September 2000, French athlete Marie-José Pérec fled the Olympic village without competing in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Pérec claimed that she had been threatened and insulted several times since arriving in Australia and that the Australian press, who were supporting Australian athlete Cathy Freeman, had been trying to sabotage her … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 2000, French athlete Marie-José Pérec fled the Sydney Olympic village claiming threats and insults
On this day (Australia): In 1999, Australian troops arrived in East Timor as a part of peacekeeping operations
Australian Soldiers INTERFET On 20 September 1999, Australian troops commanded by Peter Cosgrove arrived in East Timor as a part of INTERFET peackeeping operations. The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) was a multinational non-United Nations peacemaking task force, organised and led by Australia in accordance with United Nations resolutions to address the humanitarian and security crisis that took place in East Timor from … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1999, Australian troops arrived in East Timor as a part of peacekeeping operations
On this day (Australia): In 2003, construction of Alice Springs to Darwin rail link was completed.
The Ghan On 19 September 2003, construction of the Alice Springs to Darwin rail link was completed. This completed the link for the Ghan, a train trip connecting Adelaide to Darwin, nd the line was opened in January 2004. The Ghan is known for travelling through remarkable scenery on its transcontinental journey The Ghan is an Australian experiential … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 2003, construction of Alice Springs to Darwin rail link was completed.
On this day (Australia): In 1981, Australian motorcycle stuntman Dale Buggins died in Melbourne
On 18 September 1981, Australian motorcycle stuntman Dale Buggins died in Melbourne. He had built a national and international reputation by the age of 20. At 17, Buggins broke a world record previously held by American stuntman Evel Knievel when he jumped 25 cars with a Yamaha dirt bike, in 1978. Buggins was born in 1961 to parents Jan … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1981, Australian motorcycle stuntman Dale Buggins died in Melbourne
On this day (Australia): In 1950, the first Australian forces landed in Korea, during the war
Australian soldiers arriving in Korea 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), … 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
First television program in Australia is broadcast 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 … 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
Planting the first pole 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 … 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
Operation Antler 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 … 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
Ansett Airlines 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 … 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
Flinders Street Station 1854 On 12 September 1854, Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria Charles Hotham opened Flinders Street Station, 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 … 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
1st Battalion RAR, who landed in German New Guinea on 11 September 1914 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 … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1914, Australian troops landed in German New Guinea
Craig Hill 