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
On This Day In Australia: In 1915, The Battle of Lone Pine began on Gallipoli
The Battle of Lone Pine Between 6-10 August 1915, The Battle of Lone Pine raged on Gallipoli. Seven Australians were awarded the Victoria Crosses for this battle. Lone Pine was planned as a diversion to keep Turkish reserves from the main Allied attack, an attempt to break out of the Anzac perimeter and capture the … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1915, The Battle of Lone Pine began on Gallipoli
On This Day In Australia: In 1944, over 200 Japanese POWs died after a mass escape attempt in Cowra
Cowra POW Camp, 1 July 1944. Japanese POWs practicing baseball near their quarters, several weeks before the Cowra breakout. On 5 August 1944, at at least 545 Japanese prisoners of war attempted to escape from a camp in Cowra, and over 200 died. The Cowra breakout occurred when 1,104 Japanese prisoners of war attempted to escape from the prisoner of … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1944, over 200 Japanese POWs died after a mass escape attempt in Cowra
On This Day In Australia: In 1914, Australia entered World War I
Australian Troops WWI On 4 August 1914, the British Empire declared war on Germany and her allies. The outbreak of war was greeted with great enthusiasm in Australia, which at the time was still a young nation, and the government of Prime Minister Andrew Fisher pledged his country’s full support to Britain, the mother country. … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1914, Australia entered World War I
On This Day In Australia: In 1918, Australia House opened in London
Australia House in 1919 On 3 August 1918, Australia House opened in London. Australia House is the home of Australia in the UK. This extraordinary building has been the location of the Australian High Commission for over one hundred years. It is the oldest continually-occupied diplomatic building in London and it was the first major … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1918, Australia House opened in London
On This Day In Australia: In 1851, the Victorian gold rush began near Ballarat
Gold Panners Near Ballarat On 2 August 1851, gold was first discovered near Ballarat, Victoria, leading to the Victorian gold rush. The discovery of gold in the 1850s and 60s was the most significant event in the evolution of the state of Victoria. Fuelled by extravagant stories of wealth gained at the 1849 Californian gold … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1851, the Victorian gold rush began near Ballarat
On This Day In Australia: In 1902, New Idea magazine was first published
New Idea, October 1902 On 1 August 1902, the magazine New Idea was first published. It is a long-running Australian weekly magazine aimed at women that is published by Are Media. The magazine was first published in 1902 by Fitchett Bros. The founder was Thomas Shaw Fitchett. It was subtitled A Women's Home Journal for Australia. In 1911 the magazine … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1902, New Idea magazine was first published
On This Day In Australia: In 1858, the first game of Australian Rules football was played
First Australian Rules Game in 1858 On 31 July 1858, the first 'trial' game of Australian Rules football was played between Melbourne Grammar School and Scotch College at the Richmond Paddock. There were about 40 players on each side. Pivotal moments in the early years of the game surround the names of William Hammersley, Tom … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1858, the first game of Australian Rules football was played
On This Day In Australia: In 1997, the Thredbo landslide killed 18 people
Lone survivor Stuart Diver is carried to safety On 30 July 1997, in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, the four-storey Carinya ski lodge was hit by a landslide coming from the Alpine Way road. The building was dislodged by the fast-moving sludge and slid downhill towards the Bimbadeen lodge. The impact destroyed both … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1997, the Thredbo landslide killed 18 people
On This Day in Australia: In 2001, Grant Hackett set a world record in the 1500 m freestyle
Grant Hackett On 29 July 2001, swimmer Grant Hackett set a world record in the 1500 metre freestyle at Fukuoka, Japan Grant George Hackett OAM was born on 9 May 1980 at Southport on the Gold Coast of Queensland. He is the son of a policeman and younger brother of a Surf Lifesaving champion. He attended Merrimac State High School. He is most … Continue reading On This Day in Australia: In 2001, Grant Hackett set a world record in the 1500 m freestyle
On This Day In Australia: In 1902, Indigenous Australian artist Albert Namatjira was born
Albert Namatjira Indigenous Australian artist Albert Namatjira was born near Alice Springs on 28 July 1902. Although not the first Aboriginal artist to work in a European style, Albert Namatjira is certainly the most famous. Ghost gums with luminous white trunks, palm-filled gorges and red mountain ranges turning purple at dusk are the hallmarks of … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1902, Indigenous Australian artist Albert Namatjira was born
On This Day In Australia: In 1999, fourteen Australians were killed in the Swiss canyoning disaster
Saxetbach Gorge Tragedy Memorial On 27 July 1999, an accident occurred in Switzerland's Saxetbach Gorge (a gorge close to the village of Saxeten) in which 21 young people from Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, and Switzerland died. Forty-eight people from two coach tour parties had elected an optional side event of canyoning. It was organized by Adventure World, a now defunct company … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1999, fourteen Australians were killed in the Swiss canyoning disaster
On This Day In Australia: In 1950, Australia announced they would send troops to the Korean War
Third Royal Australian Regiment 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), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and the Australian Regular Army (ARA) were committed soon after the war began and would serve for the next three years … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1950, Australia announced they would send troops to the Korean War
On This Day In Australia: In 1956, the film ‘A Town Like Alice’ premiered in Alice Springs
Premiere of A Town Like Alice The world premiere of the movie A Town Like Alice was held at the Alice Springs open-air Pioneer Theatre (at what is now the YHA) on 24 July 1956. Donning coats, scarves and blankets as protection from the chilly desert night, the ‘bush’ premiere was reportedly a relaxed occasion. … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1956, the film ‘A Town Like Alice’ premiered in Alice Springs
On This Day In Australia: In 1900, Neville Howse performed an act of heroism that earned him Australia’s first Victoria Cross
Sir Neville Howse On 24 July 1900, Neville Howse rescued a fallen ally under heavy fire during the Second Boer War, becoming the first Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross. Neville Howse was born on 26 October 1863 at Stogursey, Somerset, in England. He was educated at Fullard’s House School, Taunton, before studying medicine at … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1900, Neville Howse performed an act of heroism that earned him Australia’s first Victoria Cross
On This Day In Australia: In 1995, Bob Hawke married Blanche d’Alpuget
Bob Hawke marries Blanche d'Alpuget It was April 1970 when Blanche d’Alpuget first met Bob Hawke. They were at a party in Jakarta, where the writer was living with her husband, Antony Pratt. As she sat on a swinging chair, answering the then-ACTU president’s questions about the city, she felt a connection between them. It wasn’t … Continue reading On This Day In Australia: In 1995, Bob Hawke married Blanche d’Alpuget
Craig Hill 