| 1846 |
First recorded suggestion of the need to establish a federal authority to govern Australia. |
| 1851 |
Victoria separates from NSW to form its own colonial government. |
| 1859 |
Queensland separates from NSW to form its own colonial government. |
| 1871 |
The Australian Natives Association (ANA), a popular movement of Australian-born, white men is established in Melbourne. The ANA and, later, the Australasian Federation League were founded to promote the vision of one united Australia. |
| 1877 |
A combined NSW and Victoria cricket team defeat England in the first cricket test played in Australia. The concept of a nationally representative cricket team is established. |
| 1883 |
The Federal Council of Australasia is formed. This Council of colonial governments, and also including New Zealand and Pacific membership, was shunned by NSW and South Australia. |
| 1889 |
9 October Report suggests that colonies should federate for defence reasons.
24 October Tenterfield Oration - Sir Henry Parkes, Premier of NSW proclaims that the time for federation has arrived.
|
| 1890 |
Australasian Federation Conference, Melbourne delegates decide to call a Constitutional Convention to discuss and draft a constitution for a federal system of government.
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|
| 1891 |
National Australasian Convention, Sydney parliamentary delegates agree to adopt the name "Commonwealth of Australia" and a draft constitution is written aboard the steamboat, Lucinda, on the Hawkesbury River. This draft provides the basis for all future redrafting. Australians now have a draft constitution but it is not adopted by the colonial parliaments. Progress towards Federation is stalled by the colonies concerns about their own status within a Federation. Popular support for Federation leads to the formation of the Australasian Federation Leagues, and it is the people who continue the push for Federation. |
| 1893 |
Corowa Conference the first of the "peoples conventions" convened by the Australasian Federation League endorses Dr John Quicks plan for practical measures to break the legislative impasse by electing a new convention. |
| 1895 |
"Hobart Understanding of the Premiers" Most Premiers approve a draft Enabling Bill based on Quicks plan. |
| 1896 |
Enabling Acts are passed in SA, NSW, Tas. and Vic. These prepare the way for the popular election of delegates to a national convention to draft a constitution.
"The Peoples Federal Convention" in Bathurst spurs popular interest in electing delegates to the national convention.
|
| 1897 |
Elections are held in the colonies to select delegates to the national Australasian (Constitutional) Convention. Delegates meet in 1897 in Adelaide and then in Sydney before they agree on a federal constitution to be put to the people of the colonies in referenda. |
| 1898 |
Delegates to the Australasian (Constitutional) Convention meet for the third session in Melbourne. Delegates agree to revise and amend the draft constitution. They adopt the amended draft Constitution Bill on 16 March in the form of a Bill that will be lodged for enactment by the British Parliament, if supported by the people in referenda.
Referenda are held. Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria return Yes votes in favour of adopting the new federal constitution. NSW fails to attract the minimum number of Yes votes and the Bill is not carried.
|
| 1899 |
January - Premiers Conference, Melbourne Premiers agree to amend the Federal Constitution Bill to meet the concerns of QLD and NSW. All colonies (except WA) support the Bill and agree to sponsor its enactment in the British Parliament.
April/September Yes votes carried in referenda in NSW, VIC, SA, TAS and QLD.
|
| 1900 |
March /July Australian delegates in London negotiate the passage of the Federal Constitution Bill through the British Parliament and then witness Queen Victoria signing the documents and granting Royal Assent. The proclamation is made that the Commonwealth of Australia will come into being on 1 January 1901.
July Western Australia votes Yes to join the Federation of Australian States and is added to the Royal Assent documents after the Queen has already signed them.
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|
| 1901 |
January Lord Hopetoun, the first Governor-General, proclaims the Commonwealth of Australia at a ceremony in Centennial Park, Sydney. The interim Federal Ministry is sworn in, with Sir Edmund Barton as Prime Minister. The ceremony takes place before a crowd of 250,000 people.
Customs duties payable on products moving between States are eliminated, boosting Australian manufacturing.
William Farrer releases his Federation strain of rust-resistant wheat.
May 9 Australias first Federal Parliament is opened in its temporary home in Melbourne by the Duke of York.
Victoria introduces an aged pension of one shilling per day.
Henry Lawsons book of stories "Joe Wilson and his Mates" is published.
|
| 1902 |
The Franchise Act gives women throughout Australia the right to vote, but largely excludes Indigenous Australians and people of Asian, African and Pacific Island backgrounds. |
| 1903 |
The High Court of Australia is established.
The Defence Act 1903 enables the Commonwealth to take full responsibility for the command and administration of the Australian Army.
|
| 1904 |
Frederick McCubbin paints The Pioneer, a three-part painting depicting life in the bush.
First Australian Open Golf Title is held.
Peter Dawson and Dame Nellie Melba make their first records.
|
| 1906 |
World's first feature film, The Story of the Kelly Gang, is made by the Tait brothers.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is established becoming Australias first permanent orchestra.
The NSW law prohibiting daytime swimming in the surf is repealed. The Bondi Surf Bathers Lifesaving Club is formed. (The first person saved in 1907 is Charles Kingsford Smith.)
|
| 1907 |
Carlton and United Breweries (CUB) is formed.
Peters Ice-Cream is established.
Norman Brookes is the first Australian to win the mens singles title at Wimbledon. He is also in the winning doubles team and Australasian Davis Cup team.
|
| 1908 |
Establishment of scouting groups throughout the country.
Victoria beats South Australia in the first interstate Australian Rules game.
Australia wins the gold medal for Rugby Union at the London Olympics.
We of the Never Never by Aeneas Gunn is published.
My Country by Dorothea Mackellar is published.
|
| 1909 |
First powered aeroplane flight in Australia.
Decision is made to make military training compulsory.
|
| 1910 |
Henry Handel Richardsons The Getting of Wisdom is published.
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|
| 1911 |
Douglas Mawson leads a two-year long scientific and exploratory expedition to the Antarctic.
The Royal Australian Navy comes into being.
The Commonwealth Electoral Act makes enrolment to vote compulsory, but voting remains voluntary.
The Northern Territory is transferred from South Australia to the Commonwealth.
First Commonwealth Census is conducted.
|
| 1912 |
Commonwealth Savings Bank opens.
Walter Burley Griffin wins an international competition for the design of the Australian national capital.
Australia sends women to the Olympics (Stockholm) for the first time. Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie contest the 100m freestyle and win gold and silver medals respectively.
Australia's first official wireless station is opened in Melbourne.
|
| 1913 |
The Foundation stone is laid for the national capital, which is named Canberra. |
| 1914 - 1918 |
The First World War - From a population of fewer than 5 million, over 320,000 enlisted and served overseas of whom over 60,000 were killed and 156,000 were wounded, gassed or taken prisoner. Australian forces fought with distinction in New Guinea, Egypt, Turkey, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, France and Belgium. The Royal Australian Navy made a significant contribution in various theatres of the war and the newly formed Australian Flying Corps served in the Middle East and France. |
| 1914 |
The Red Cross begins in Australia.
First postal air service delivery is made in Australia.
|
| 1915 |
Melbourne pharmacist George Nicholas develops Aspro.
BHP opens its first steel-making plant in Newcastle, NSW.
Surfboard riding demonstration in Sydney by Duke Kahanamoku and Isobel Letham.
C.J.Dennis' The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke is published and becomes an unexpected bestseller, inspiring stage and screen adaptions.
|
| 1916 |
Hotels close at 6 o'clock ' starting the "six oclock swill".
Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia is formed, the forerunner of the Returned and Services League (RSL).
|
| 1917 |
Daylight saving is introduced to save fuel resources. |
| 1918 |
The Magic Pudding written and illustrated by Norman Lindsay, and Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, written and illustrated by May Gibbs, are published. |
| 1919 |
The film version of The Sentimental Bloke opens in Sydney. |
| 1920 |
Queensland and Northern Territory Air Services (QANTAS) is founded. (QANTAS is now the oldest airline in the world after KLM.)
Australia becomes a founding member of the League of Nations.
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|
| 1921 |
The first Archibald Prize for portraiture is awarded to William McInnes for his portrait of H. Desbrowe-Annear.
Gladys Moncrieff stars in the musical Maid of the Mountains at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne.
Australia's first Rotary Club is formed in Melbourne.
Ginger Meggs is introduced.
|
| 1922 |
The first branch of the Country Womens Association in Australia is formed.
Along the Road to Gundagai is written by Jack OHagan.
Charitable organisation, The Smith Family, is established by five
Sydney-based businessmen who wish to remain anonymous.
|
| 1923 |
Radio station 2BL provides the first live broadcast of a musical concert.
Vegemite first produced by Kraft Walker Cheese Co. of Melbourne.
The Violet Crumble bar is introduced.
|
| 1924 |
In Sydney, the Australian Aborigines Progressive Association is formed to campaign for Aboriginal rights. |
| 1926 |
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (later the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation CSIRO) is founded to provide research services to agriculture and primary industry.
Invention of the pedal wireless and the Speedo swimming costume.
The Imperial Conference of 1926, held in London, confirmed the fully autonomous status of Australia the British Commonwealth of Nations, while stressing that they remained united by a common allegiance to the Crown and so a voluntary member of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
The first Miss Australia competition is held.
Anna Pavlova tours the country.
|
| 1927 |
Parliament moves to Canberra and its new accommodation in provisional Parliament House (now known as Old Parliament House).
Mechanical hares used for the first time at a greyhound race.
40 people die in a Sydney ferry disaster.
|
| 1928 |
The worlds first "talkie" movie, The Jazz Singer, screens in Sydney.
A Royal Commission recommends the establishment of a censorship board for films.
|
| 1930 |
Don Bradman scores 452 not out in one innings.
Phar Lap wins first Melbourne Cup.
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|
| 1931 |
Sir Douglas Mawson returns to Antarctica with an expedition that explores and charts 4,000 miles of polar coastline. Mawson formally proclaims the 42 per cent of Antarctica that is now claimed as Australian territory.
Cinesound Review newsreels are first shown.
|
| 1933 |
The movie In the Wake of the Bounty, starring Errol Flynn, opens.
The Australian Womens Weekly is launched.
Western Australia, in a special referendum, votes to secede from the Commonwealth.
|
| 1934 |
Invention of the utility truck for the Ford Motor Company. |
| 1936 |
The last Tasmanian tiger dies. |
| 1937 |
Radio series Dad and Dave begins.
Sir Hubert Opperman cycles across Australia.
|
| 1938 |
Sydney hosts the first Empire Games to be held in Australia, the forerunner of the Commonwealth Games.
An exhibition of indigenous artist Albert Namatjiras works is held in Melbourne.
|
| 1939 - 1945 |
The Second World War Almost a million Australians served in the Second World War; Australian servicemen fought in campaigns against Germany and Italy in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa; and against Japan in south-east Asia and in other parts of the Pacific. Whilst most troops served overseas, sizeable bases were established in northern Australia when an invasion by Japanese troops seemed possible following bombing raids on Darwin, Broome and Townsville in early 1942. |
| 1939 |
The first flight of a Wirraway the first warplane made in Australia.
Worst bushfires in Australias recorded history devastate Victoria.
|
| 1940 |
Howard Florey leads the team of scientists responsible for the development of penicillin as an antibiotic.
ABC appoints Margaret Doyle, its first female announcer.
Petrol is rationed.
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|
| 1941 |
Russell Drysdale rises to prominence. |
| 1942 |
Sugar is rationed.
Daylight saving is introduced to save fuel resources.
|
| 1943 |
Approximately 180,000 US servicemen are based in Australia.
Cinematographer Damien Parer wins Australias first Oscar for his coverage of Australias war efforts.
|
| 1944 |
Uranium exploration begins on a large scale.
Rationing of meat is introduced to ensure supplies are available for export to allies.
Unemployment and Sickness Benefits are introduced.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is introduced to provide subsidised medicine.
|
| 1945 |
Australia becomes a founding member of the United Nations. The Australian Minister for External Territories champions the rights of the smaller powers. From the inauguration of the UN, Australia has been a consistent supporter of the UN in its efforts to maintain peace in the world. Australia has sent members of its defence forces to support UN sanctioned operations in Korea (1950-53) and the Gulf (1990-91) and peacekeeping missions in disturbed areas around the globe.
The first Australian branch of Alcoholics Anonymous is formed.
The first Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is won by Rani in 6 days, 14 hours.
|
| 1946 |
The Hills Hoist is invented.
The Commonwealth Parliament is given the power to legislate on a wide range of social services after a referendum on the issue is carried.
An Australian is voted in as the first President of the United Nations Security Council.
The ABC broadcasts Federal Parliament for the first time.
Corroboree, inspired by Aboriginal music, earns worldwide recognition for composer John Antill.
Minister for Immigration Arthur Calwell launches the post-war immigration scheme.
|
| 1947 |
Sidney
Nolan first exhibits his Ned Kelly series. |
| 1948 |
The first Australian designed and manufactured car is launched. The 48/125 was produced by General Motors Holden at its Fishermans Bend plant.
Australian Minister for External Affairs DR HV Evatt is elected President of the United Nations General Assembly.
Australia signs the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
Ruth Parks Harp in the South is published.
Clothing ration cards are no longer needed.
Plans are announced to eradicate TB within 20 years.
|
| 1949 |
The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme begins. A shortage of labour forced Australia to look overseas for workers. Over 100,000 people worked on the scheme, two thirds of them had come from overseas to join the Australians already working on the scheme. One hundred and twenty people died during construction, which lasted almost 25 years. The scheme remains one of the worlds great engineering achievements.
Indigenous Australians who are eligible to vote in State Elections in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania are also given the right to vote in Federal Elections.
The Nationality and Citizenship Act is passed. Rather than being identified as subjects of Britain, the Act established Australian citizenship for people who met eligibility requirements.
Petrol rationing ends.
|
| 1950 - 1953 |
Korean War Australia was one of twenty-one member nations to respond to the United Nations Security Councils call for military assistance to repel an invasion of South Korea by communist-backed North Korean troops. Over 17,000 Australian men and women served in the Korean war. Australian casualties numbered more than 1,500 of whom 339 were killed. |
| 1950 |
Frank Hardy is arrested for libel following the publication of Power Without Glory.
Australia plays a leading role in establishing the Colombo Plan for providing aid and training to South East Asian countries.
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|
| 1950 - 1960 |
Malayan Emergency Australian troops were sent to Malaya as part of a Commonwealth of Nations response to a growing communist guerrilla insurgency. Australian forces were involved in prolonged operations designed to destroy the guerrillas support and operations bases throughout the Malay peninsula. Lasting 13 years, the Malayan Emergency was the longest continuous military commitment in Australias history. Of 7,000 Army personnel who served in Malaya, 51 were killed although only 15 deaths were a result of operations. |
| 1951 |
Australia signs the ANZUS Treaty with the United States and New Zealand.
The radio-based School of the Air opens.
Come in Spinner by Dymphna Cusack and Florence James is published.
|
| 1952 |
The Melbourne Argus newspaper is the first in the world to publish colour photos in a daily newspaper.
Free access to public hospital treatment is no longer available.
|
| 1953 |
Economy class is introduced on QANTAS flights to London.
The Television Act is passed by Federal Parliament, endorsing the establishment of government and commercial broadcast networks.
|
| 1954 |
Royal visit by the Queen and Prince Phillip.
The six oclock swill ends.
Ray Lalors Summer of the Seventeenth Doll is first performed.
The Petrov Affair makes headlines.
|
| 1955 |
Charles Chauvels film Jedda premieres in Darwin.
I Can Jump Puddles by Alan Marshall is published.
|
| 1956 |
Johnny OKeefe is Australias first "rock star".
The first television broadcast goes to air.
The Olympic Games are held in Melbourne, with Australians winning a record 13 gold, 8 silver and 14 bronze medals.
|
| 1957 |
The CSIRO develops improved radar and microwave navigation systems for aeroplanes.
The television version of Pick a Box begins. On radio, the program has been running for many years.
Joern Utzon
from Denmark wins the Opera House international design
competition.
Australia wins its first Rugby League World Cup.
|
| 1958 |
The "black box" flight recorder is invented in Melbourne. |
| 1959 |
The first power from the Snowy Scheme becomes available.
Australia becomes a signatory to the International Antarctic Treaty.
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is opened in Melbourne.
|
| 1960 |
Sir MacFarlane Burnet shares the Nobel Prize for Medicine, for work on acquired immunological tolerance.
The worlds first plastic spectacle lenses are designed in Australia.
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| 1961 |
Iron ore boom in Pilbara, WA
The play, The One Day of the Year, by Alan Seymour opens amid controversy about its apparent criticism of ANZAC Day and returned soldiers.
|
| 1962 |
Snake antivenene, capable of counteracting poison from most Australian snakes, is developed by the CSIRO.
Indigenous Australians across the nation gain the right to vote in Federal Elections.
The Vietnam War Australias involvement in Vietnam began in 1962 when the US and its allies responded to South Vietnams call for assistance to stem the communist insurgents and their comrades from North Vietnam. Whilst Australias involvement in the war was strongly supported in the earlier years years of the conflict, opposition to the war grew as it became clearer a decisive victory was unlikely. The war was the cause of the greatest social and political dissent in Australia since the conscription referendums of WWI.
Perth hosts the Commonwealth Games.
Frank Ifields I Remember You becomes the first Australian record to appear on the US charts.
|
| 1963 |
Sir John Eccles shares the Nobel Prize for his research on the transmission of nerve impulses. |
| 1965 |
The Freedom Ride, led by Charles Perkins, tours Aboriginal communities in rural areas. The protest symbolises the changing tide of political sentiment towards the rights and living conditions of Australias indigenous people. |
| 1966 |
Japan replaces Britain as Australias largest export customer.
Oil and gas found by BHP and Esso in Bass Strait.
Australian forces are involved in the Battle of Long Tan their heaviest action of the Vietnam war. The battle curbed communist control over the area. A total of 50,000 Australians served in the Vietnam war 496 were killed and almost 2,000 wounded.
Decimal currency is introduced on 14 February.
The ban on the employment of married women in the Commonwealth Public Service is lifted.
|
| 1967 |
Australias first satellite is launched from Woomera Rocket Range, SA.
More than 90% of people vote "Yes" in a national referendum which affirms the Australian citizenship of Indigenous Australians, and allows the Commonwealth Government to legislate on their behalf.
|
| 1968 |
Australia signs the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty. |
| 1969 |
The radio telescope in Parkes, NSW relays to the world the first pictures of the Apollo XI moon landing. |
| 1970 |
Point Danger lighthouse in NSW becomes the worlds first laser beam emitting lighthouse.
The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer is published.
200,000 Australians participate in anti-war demonstrations.
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|
| 1971 |
The first one-day cricket match is held in Melbourne. |
| 1972 |
The orbital internal combustion engine is developed by Ralph Sarich in Perth, WA.
The Interscan aviation guidance system is developed by the CSIRO.
Australia recognises the Peoples Republic of China.
The Commonwealth Arbitration Commission rules that women doing the same job as men have the right to be paid the same wage.
|
| 1973 |
Australians develop the "pop-top" can.
77 unionists are arrested after trying to prevent the demolition of historic buildings in the Rocks area of Sydney. "Green Bans" are introduced to protect heritage sites.
Patrick White wins the Nobel Prize for Literature.
The eligibility age for voters in Federal Elections is dropped from 21 to 18 years of age.
The Sydney Opera House is opened.
Maternity leave for Commonwealth Public Servants is introduced.
|
| 1974 |
Cyclone Tracy devastates Darwin. |
| 1975 |
Sir John Warcup Cornforth shares the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
The Gurindji people of Northern Territory are granted ownership of their tribal land, having fought to reclaim the land from the British company, Vestey Ltd.
Colour television is introduced. 
|
| 1976 |
The CSIRO and ICI develop and market Sirotherm, a commercial-scale water desalination and purification plant.
Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls, an Aboriginal man, becomes the Governor of South Australia.
The Federal Government rules to stop sand mining on Fraser Island.
|
| 1977 |
Australian scientists develop the worlds first system for storing solar energy on a mass scale.
Citizens in Australian Territories are given the right to vote at referendums to alter the Constitution.
Advance Australia Fair becomes Australias national anthem after a national opinion poll finds it the most popular option with the Australian people.
|
| 1978 |
The Northern Territory is granted self-government following passage of enabling legislation through the Commonwealth Parliament.
A protest march by homosexual rights supporters held in Sydney results in the arrest of 93 people. The event is now commemorated each year with the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
|
| 1979 |
The bionic ear is developed by researchers in Melbourne.
The tiny camera used in sports broadcasts as the "race cam" or "stump cam" is developed by an Australian engineer.
The Alligator Rivers region in the Northern Territory is proclaimed as Kakadu National Park. The area takes its name from the Gagudju people of the area.
The Capricornia section of the Great Barrier Reef is proclaimed as the first stage of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Maternity leave is granted to all women in the Australian workforce.
|
| 1980 |
The right of appeal to the English Privy Council against judgements made in Australian courts is finally ended. The High Court of Australia becomes the highest court of appeal in the Australian judicial system.
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| 1981 |
The CSIRO develops a solar desalination system for use in remote areas.
The South Australian and Federal governments hand back title of 102,630 square kilometres of land to the Pitjantjatjara traditional owners.
|
| 1982 |
Brisbane hosts the Commonwealth Games.
Thomas Keneally is Australias first Booker Prize winner with Schindlers Ark.
The Australian National Gallery opens in Canberra.
|
| 1983 |
The CSIRO produces a vaccine against footrot using genetic engineering techniques.
Australia and New Zealand begin to create a common market.
|
| 1984 |
The worlds first frozen embryo baby is born in Melbourne.
Advance Australia Fair is finally accepted as Australias official national anthem.
|
| 1985 |
Freehold title of land that includes Ayres Rock and Mt. Olga is granted to the traditional landowners the Mutitjulu people. The Mutitjulu lease the land back to the Australian Government for a 99-year period.
First Formula One Grand Prix to be held in Australia is held in Adelaide.
|
| 1986 |
Gene shears are discovered by CSIRO scientists.
The worlds first plastic, solar hot water system is invented and commercialised in Australia.
Dennis Chatfield invents the Chatfield Tree Planter, a machine which ploughs and plants in one movement.
|
| 1987 |
The worlds first wave-piercing catamaran is designed in Australia.
The Photon Counting Array, a light detector for telescopes is invented. It can amplify a single unit of light one million times.
25,000 Vietnam veterans from all over Australia are given another welcome home parade in Sydney 15 years after the last Australian troops were recalled.
|
| 1988 |
The worlds first non-chemical, biological pesticide is invented at the University of Adelaide.
Australians mark the bicentenary of the arrival of the First Fleet.
The Golden Wattle is proclaimed our national floral emblem.
New Parliament House is opened in Canberra.
|
| 1989 |
A computer software team from the University of Melbourne develops TITAN, a "superfast" information retrieval system.
Clean Up Sydney Harbour Day achieves enormous public response with over 40,000 Sydneysiders donating their time and energy to clean up the harbour. Based on this success, Clean Up Australia Day is created.
|
| 1990 |
The worlds first reading machine for the blind is invented in Melbourne.
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|
| 1991 |
A Sydney University research team discovers a new method of keeping transplant organs in good condition. |
| 1992 |
A
team of inventors and engineers develops a portable oil
containment system that will enable ships to deploy their
own booms to contain oil spills immediately.
The worlds
first multi-focal contact lenses are invented in Queensland.
3 June
the High Court Mabo decision establishes that the Meriam
people hold native title over the Murray Islands. The
decision effectively quashes the notion of terra
nullius which asserts that Australia did not belong
to anyone before the arrival of Europeans.
|
| 1993 |
Dr
George ONeil develops a portable drip-feed "balloon".
The system has the potential to save the lives of young
children suffering from dehydration and malnutrition.
An Unknown Australian Soldier is laid to rest at the Australian War Memorial.
|
| 1994 |
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research isolates the gene responsible for osteoporosis. |
| 1996 |
New flu drug is developed by the CSIRO.
Commonwealth, State and Territory governments agree to introduce national uniform gun control laws.
The High Court of Australia holds that the native title of the Wik and Thayorre people of Cape York has survived the granting of pastoral leases.
|
| 1997 |
Australian Womens Cricket Team wins the World Cup for the fourth time.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission releases the report of its Inquiry Into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families.
Ted Matthews, the last survivor of the first ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, dies aged 101.
|
| 1998 |
The Australian Stock Exchange is demutualised and floated as a public company becoming the worlds first stock exchange to be listed on an exchange. |
| 1999 |
Both houses of the Commonwealth Parliament pass a motion signalling an acknowledgment of, and regret at, the hurt past that policies of the Australian government have caused to indigenous Australians.
Australian sportswomen and men win world titles in many sports including cricket, netball, rugby union, surfing, hockey and squash.
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