Pauline Hanson 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 … 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
Natasha Stott Despoja 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 … 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
Peter Brock 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 … 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
Tasmanian Tiger 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 … 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
Operation Damask Task Force 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 … 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
Phuong Ngo and John Newman On 5 September 1994, politician John Newman 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 … 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
Milperra Massacre 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 … 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
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
On This Day In Australia: In 1945, the Liberal Party of Australia was founded by Robert Menzies
Sir Robert Menzies On 31 August 1945, the Liberal Party of Australia was founded by Robert Menzies. The Liberal Party of Australia is a major centre-right political party in Australia, one of the two major parties in Australian politics, along with the centre-left Australian Labor Party. It was founded in 1944 as the successor to the United Australia Party. The Liberal Party is the largest … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1945, the Liberal Party of Australia was founded by Robert Menzies
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
Craig Hill 