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
Tag: History
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
On This Day (Australia): In 1996, Pauline Hanson made her first speech to the House of Representatives, and was widely condemned
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
Craig Hill 