"\BDec 30, \J1788\j\b - Phillip secures the capture of an Aboriginal named Arabanoo to train as an interpreter."
"\BDec 09, \J1789\j\b - Dawes and a small party make an unsuccessful attempt (to 17th) to climb the Carmarthen Hills (Blue Mountains)."
"\BDec 22, \J1789\j\b - Black Caesar takes to the bush again. (Surrenders at Parramatta on 30 Jan. \J1790\j.)"
"\BDec 24, \J1789\j\b - HMS \IGuardian\b\i (Lt Edward Riou), bound for NSW with stores for the colony, strikes an iceberg 12 days out from Cape Town and is forced to return to the Cape (21 Feb.)."
"\BDec 05, \J1791\j\b - Ross returns to Sydney from Norfolk Is."
"\BDec 18, \J1791\j\b - HMS \IGorgon\b\i leaves Port Jackson for England carrying returning marines (including Ross, Tench, and Dawes)."
"\BDec 31, \J1791\j\b - New arrivals among convicts protest at Parramatta following changes to the issuing of rations."
"\BDec 13, \J1791\j\b - Phillip Parker King born (-\J1856\j)"
"\BDec 12, \J1794\j\b - William Paterson replaces Francis Grose as commander of the NSW Corps and administrator of the colony."
"\BDec 17, \J1794\j\b - Grose and Surgeon John White sail for England in the \IDaedalus.\i"
"\BDec 03, \J1797\j\b - Bass sets out from Port Jackson in a whaleboat with six oarsmen to explore the southern coast of NSW."
"\BDec 06, \J1797\j\b - Bass discovers the Blowhole at Kiama and (7th) names the Shoalhaven River."
"\BDec 19, \J1797\j\b - Bass enters and names Twofold Bay."
"\BDec 09, \J1798\j\b - Bass and Flinders ascertain the existence of Bass Strait."
"\BDec 22, \J1798\j\b - \INorfolk\b\i enters the mouth of the Derwent River."
"\BDec 25, \J1798\j\b - Bass climbs Mount Wellington."
"\BDec 25, \J1798\j\b - Bishop returns to Port Jackson in the \INautilus\b\i with 9,000 sealskins."
"\BDec 02, \J1799\j\b - Spanish ship \IEl Plumier,\b\i captured by whalers off the South American coast, arrives at Port Jackson and (7th) is sold as a prize."
"\BDec 28, \J1799\j\b - Gaol at Parramatta deliberately burnt down."
"\BDec 03, \J1800\j\b - \ILady Nelson\b\i (Lt James Grant) arrives in southern Australian waters to begin survey work; Grant names Cape Northumberland, Cape Banks, Mt Schanck, and Mt Gambier."
"\BDec 07, \J1800\j\b - Grant names Portland Bay and Cape Otway, then passes through Bass Strait, the first to do so from the west. (Arrives Port Jackson 16 Dec.)"
"\BDec 14, \J1800\j\b - Foveaux suppresses an incipient rebellion on Norfolk Is; hangs two Irish prisoners."
"\BDec 18, \J1800\j\b - Atkins appointed deputy Judge-Advocate following the death of Dore."
"\BDec 13, \J1800\j\b - Richard Dore died (51)."
"\BDec 06, \J1801\j\b - Flinders in the \IInvestigator\b\i arrives off the coast of WA, names Cape Leeuwin (7th), and enters King George Sound (8th)."
"\BDec 14, \J1801\j\b - Transports \IMinorca,\b \ICanada,\b\i and \INile\b\i arrive at Port Jackson with 296 convicts, including James Hardy Vaux, Dr William Redfern, artist John Eyre, and Margaret Catchpole; passengers include Richard Rouse."
"\BDec 06, \J1802\j\b - Baudin's expedition at King Is. (\ILe Naturaliste\b\i sails for Mauritius on 9th.)"
"\BDec 13, \J1802\j\b - Robbins hoists the British flag near Baudin's tents on King Is. and fires a volley over them."
"\BDec 27, \J1804\j\b - Paterson moves the Port Dalrymple settlement to the West Arm of the Tamar, which he names York Town."
"\BDec 12, \J1805\j\b - Four convicts escape from Newcastle; recaptured near Castle Hill, they and their pursuers become the first white overlanders from Newcastle to Sydney."
"\BDec 18, \J1805\j\b - First land grants made in Van Diemen's Land, including 10 acres to Rev. Robert Knopwood."
"\BDec 04, \J1806\j\b - Bligh announces that people could be called up for harvesting and stipulates wages and conditions for various tasks."
"\BDec 07, \J1807\j\b - Macarthur notifies the captain of the \IParramatta\b\i that he has abandoned the ship and will not be responsible for pay or rations."
"\BDec 14, \J1807\j\b - Captain and crew of the \IParramatta\b\i go ashore and are charged with violating regulations. Judge-Advocate Richard Atkins summons Macarthur to come to Sydney to 'show cause' for his conduct over the \IParramatta\b\i affair. (Macarthur refuses.)"
"\BDec 15, \J1807\j\b - Atkins issues a warrant for Macarthur's arrest; Macarthur gives the arresting officer a defiant written refusal to comply."
"\BDec 16, \J1807\j\b - Macarthur arrested on a second warrant; granted bail."
"\BDec 17, \J1807\j\b - Macarthur committed for trial before the Criminal Court."
"\BDec 21, \J1807\j\b - Macarthur demands payment of a 15-year-old debt from Atkins."
"\BDec 28, \J1809\j\b - \IDromedary\b\i and \IHindostan\b\i arrive at Port Jackson. (Macquarie lands on 31st.)"
"\BDec 06, \J1810\j\b - Macquarie names five township sites: Windsor, Richmond, Castlereagh, Pitt Town, and Wilberforce."
"\BDec 16, \J1810\j\b - \IIndian\b\i arrives at Port Jackson with 192 convicts, including James Hardy Vaux for the second time."
"\BDec 29, \J1810\j\b - D'Arcy Wentworth appointed Superintendent of Police in Sydney."
"\BDec 02, \J1811\j\b - Samuel Marsden exports 1,800 kg of wool to England in the returning transport \IAdmiral Gambier."
"\BDec 16, \J1811\j\b - Macquarie decides to move the settlement at Port Dalrymple back to the George Town site on Outer Cove (renamed York Cove)."
"\BDec 20, \J1811\j\b - Macquarie sails from Port Dalrymple in \ILady Nelson\b\i for Port Stephens (arrives 31st)."
"\BDec 16, \J1812\j\b - Stuart Donaldson born (-\J1867\j)."
"\BDec 20, \J1813\j\b - Public meeting held in Sydney to form a society for the protection of Pacific Island natives."
"\BDec 20, \J1813\j\b - û Convict Michael Howe escapes and joins a bushranging gang in Van Diemen's Land. (Later becomes its leader.)"
"\BDec 28, \J1814\j\b - Macquarie calls a conference of Aborigines at Parramatta to try to induce them to settle."
"\BDec 31, \J1814\j\b - Ellis Bent withdraws from the Bench without informing Macquarie, following the Governor's criticism of the magistracy."
"\BDec 31, \J1814\j\b - Rum Hospital contractors' monopoly on the sale of spirits expires; government order allows importation of spirits and imposes a duty."
"\BDec 09, \J1815\j\b - Garling appointed deputy Judge-Advocate."
"\BDec 12, \J1815\j\b - James Kelly and four others circumnavigate Van Diemen's Land (to 30 Jan. \J1816\j), discovering Port Davey (17 Dec.) and Macquarie Harbour (28th)."
"\BDec 02, \J1816\j\b - First land grants in the Illawarra district, NSW, allotted by Surveyor-General John Oxley on the site of present-day Wollongong. (Deeds issued on 24 Jan. \J1817\j.)"
"\BDec 11, \J1816\j\b - Macquarie announces the recall of Jeffery Bent and proclaims that Bent no longer has any authority in NSW."
"\BDec 23, \J1816\j\b - Thomas Sutcliffe Mort born (-\J1878\j)."
"\BDec 01, \J1817\j\b - Marsden awarded ú200 damages in a civil case against Campbell before Justice Barron Field in the Supreme Court."
"\BDec 01, \J1817\j\b - Macquarie tenders his resignation to Earl Bathurst."
"\BDec 01, \J1817\j\b - John Beamont leads an expedition to explore the interior of Van Diemen's Land (to 10th)."
"\BDec 16, \J1817\j\b - Francis Greenway given conditional pardon."
"\BDec 21, \J1817\j\b - Macquarie recommends the adoption of the name \IAustralia\b\i for the continent instead of New Holland."
"\BDec 22, \J1817\j\b - P. P. King, with botanist Allan Cunningham and J. S. Roe, leave Port Jackson in the cutter \IMermaid\b\i to survey the north-western coast of the continent."
"\BDec 07, \J1817\j\b - William Bligh died (63)."
"\BDec 24, \J1818\j\b - King leaves Port Jackson in the \IMermaid\b\i to survey Macquarie Harbour, Van Diemen's Land. (Completed 24 Jan. \J1819\j.)"
"\BDec 13, \J1819\j\b - Henry Rice leads an expedition from the Coal River settlement (Richmond, Tas.) to St Patrick's Head and thence to Port Dalrymple."
"\BDec 01, \J1820\j\b - Campbelltown, NSW, marked out and named by Macquarie."
"\BDec 31, \J1820\j\b - Frederick Goulburn arrives in Sydney to become Colonial Secretary, replacing J. T. Campbell."
"\BDec 01, \J1821\j\b - Brisbane sworn in as Governor."
"\BDec 01, \J1821\j\b - Clyde River, NSW, discovered by Lt Robert Johnston in the \ISnapper."
"\BDec 18, \J1821\j\b - Barnett Levey arrives in Sydney as a free settler."
"\BDec 23, \J1821\j\b - \IBathurst\b\i arrives back on the WA coast near Rottnest Island; King then resumes his survey from North-West Cape to King Sound. (Returns to Sydney 25 Apr. \J1822\j.)"
"\BDec 24, \J1822\j\b - Rev. Archibald Macarthur, the first Presbyterian minister in Australia, arrives in Hobart."
"\BDec 02, \J1823\j\b - Oxley explores and names the Brisbane River (to 4th), which Pamphlett and Finnegan direct him to."
"\BDec 16, \J1824\j\b - Hume and Hovell reach Corio Bay, Port Phillip, which they mistake for Westernport."
"\BDec 03, \J1825\j\b - Darling sworn in as Governor of Van Diemen's Land, proclaims the colony's independence from NSW, establishes the Legislative Council, and then hands over control to Lt-Governor Authur."
"\BDec 17, \J1825\j\b - Darling arrives at Port Jackson in the \ICatherine Stewart\b\i and (19th) takes over from Brisbane as Governor."
"\BDec 20, \J1825\j\b - New Legislative Council of NSW sworn in. Members: Lt-Gov. William Stewart, Chief Justice Francis Forbes, Archdeacon T. H. Scott, Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay (arr. 3 Jan. \J1826\j), and the three non-official members, John Macarthur, Robert Campbell, and Charles Throsby."
"\BDec 12, \J1826\j\b - Settlement established by Capt. Samuel Wright at Westernport as a precaution against French colonisation. (Abandoned, Jan. \J1828\j.)"
"\BDec 20, \J1826\j\b - Convicts bound for Norfolk Is. in the brig \IWellington\b\i seize the ship and sail it to NZ (where they are captured by the whaler \ISisters\b\i)."
"\BDec 25, \J1826\j\b - Maj. Edmund Lockyer and a party of soldiers and convicts in the brig \IAmity\b\i arrive at King George Sound to take possession of the western part of the continent and establish a settlement there. (Settlement established on the site of Albany.)"
"\BDec 14, \J1827\j\b - John ('Bold Jack') Donohoe and gang rob carts on the Sydney-Windsor road. (Subsequently caught and condemned, gang members are hanged except for Donohoe, who escapes and begins terrorising the countryside.)"
"\BDec 30, \J1828\j\b - Stirling given instructions to occupy the Swan River area and officially appointed Lt-Governor of WA."
"\BDec 03, \J1829\j\b - Capt. Collet Barker, transferred from Raffles Bay, takes command of the settlement at King George Sound."
"\BDec 15, \J1829\j\b - Thomas Peel arrives at the Swan River with 300 settlers, too late to be eligible for the land grant for his colonisation scheme."
"\BDec 02, \J1831\j\b - Maj.-Gen. Sir Richard Bourke arrives at Port Jackson in the \IMargaret\i\b and is installed next day as Governor of NSW."
"\BDec 14, \J1832\j\b - Presbytery of NSW formed in Sydney, thus beginning ordered Presbyterian Church government in Australia."
"\BDec 26, \J1833\j\b - South Australian Association founded by Robert Gouger and other followers of E. G. Wakefield."
"\BDec 11, \J1834\j\b - Blacktrackers (Migo and Mollydobbin) used for the first time in WA, to find a lost boy in bush near Fremantle."
"\BDec 14, \J1835\j\b - Bank of Australasia opens in Sydney."
"\BDec 28, \J1836\j\b - Gov. Hindmarsh arrives at Holdfast Bay in HMS \IBuffalo,\b\i with Resident Commissioner J. H. Fisher, and proclaims the province of SA."
"\BDec 31, \J1836\j\b - Light confirms his choice of site of Adelaide, despite Hindmarsh's objections."
"\BDec 02, \J1837\j\b - Lt George Grey and a small party arrive at Hanover Bay, WA, to begin an exploratory journey."
"\BDec 05, \J1837\j\b - Bourke leaves Sydney to return to England. (Lt-Col. Kenneth Snodgrass becomes administrator.)"
"\BDec 11, \J1837\j\b - Dr J. D. Lang separates from the Church of Scotland Presbytery of NSW and forms a separate Church court known as the Synod of NSW."
"\BDec 30, \J1837\j\b - Overland mail service by coach and packhorse begins between Sydney and Melbourne."
"\BDec 31, \J1838\j\b - William Ullathorne returns to Sydney with a group of priests, students, and teachers, as well as five Sisters of Charity, the first nuns in Australia."
"\BDec 10, \J1838\j\b - Augustus Earle died (45)."
"\BDec 23, \J1840\j\b - Bushranger Edward Davis ('Teddy the Jewboy') and five of his gang captured and sentenced to death. (Hanged 16 Mar. \J1841\j.)"
"\BDec 11, \J1841\j\b - \IHunter River Gazette,\b\i the first mainland country newspaper, begins publication in Maitland."
"\BDec 04, \J1843\j\b - Benjamin Leete (Harry Rickards) born (-\J1911\j)."
"\BDec 17, \J1844\j\b - Public meeting of squatters in Melbourne supports the continued arrival of 'exiles'."
"\BDec 28, \J1844\j\b - Leichhardt discovers and names the Comet River."
"\BDec 06, \J1845\j\b - Sturt's party set off from Depot Glen to return to Adelaide; Sturt, too ill to ride, is carried on a dray."
"\BDec 17, \J1845\j\b - Leichhardt's party reach Port Essington, after a journey of 14╜ months. (They return to Sydney by sea, arriving 25 Mar. \J1846\j.)"
"\BDec 02, \J1846\j\b - Ludwig Leichhardt sets out again from the Darling Downs, this time to cross to the west coast. (Returns unsuccessful on 31 July \J1847\j.)"
"\BDec 22, \J1846\j\b - Anti-Transportation Committee founded at meeting in Sydney."
"\BDec 07, \J1847\j\b - Lady Mary FitzRoy, wife of the NSW Governor, and the Governor's aide-de-camp are killed when thrown from a carriage at Parramatta."
"\BDec 11, \J1848\j\b - Gov. Fitzgerald wounded by Aborigines while exploring with Gregory near Champion Bay, WA."
"\BDec 13, \J1848\j\b - Kennedy fatally speared by Aborigines; Jacky Jacky continues alone to Cape York."
"\BDec 13, \J1848\j\b - First government-assisted immigrants arrive at Moreton Bay."
"\BDec 15, \J1848\j\b - Australian Mutual Provident Society founded."
"\BDec 20, \J1848\j\b - Constitutional Association formed in Sydney to effect electoral and land reforms. (Subsequently publishes the \IPeople's Advocate.\b\i)"
"\BDec 24, \J1848\j\b - \IAriel\b\i rescues Jacky Jacky at Port Albany and (30th) the two other survivors of the Kennedy expedition at Weymouth Bay."
"\BDec 13, \J1848\j\b - Edmund Kennedy died (30)."
"\BDec 01, \J1849\j\b - Port Essington again abandoned and settlers returned to Sydney."
"\BDec 13, \J1849\j\b - \IAdelaide\i\b arrives at Port Phillip with 281 exiles; refused entry and sails on to Port Jackson (last ship to bring exiles to NSW)."
"\BDec 14, \J1849\j\b - Cowra, NSW, gazetted as a town site."
"\BDec 05, \J1850\j\b - Pentridge Gaol, recently completed, receives its first prisoners."
"\BDec 18, \J1850\j\b - First Australian branch of the YMCA formed in Adelaide."
"\BDec 28, \J1850\j\b - Henry Parkes's \IEmpire\i\b newspaper founded in Sydney. (Suspended \J1858\jû 59; incorporated in \IEvening News\i\b \J1875\j.)"
"\BDec 29, \J1851\j\b - Education Act in SA ends state grants to denominational schools."
"\BDec 30, \J1851\j\b - Bega, NSW, town site gazetted."
"\BDec 28, \J1851\j\b - Robert Philp born (û \J1922\j)."
"\BDec 09, \J1852\j\b - Adelaide sovereignsùgold pound tokens minted by the Adelaide Assay Officeùfirst issued."
"\BDec 15, \J1852\j\b - Colonial Secretary Sir John Pakington authorises NSW, Vic., SA, and Tas. to draft new separate constitutions providing for an elected lower house and a nominated upper house."
"\BDec 22, \J1852\j\b - Clipper \ITiconderoga\i\b arrives at Port Phillip with 646 migrants, 96 having died from typhus on the way; another 82 die while at the new Point Nepean quarantine station."
"\BDec 04, \J1852\j\b - John Lee Archer died (61)."
"\BDec 09, \J1853\j\b - \IBendigo Advertiser\i first published. (Absorbed in \IIndependent\i\b, \J1918\j.)"
"\BDec 21, \J1853\j\b - Town site at Gladstone (Qld) gazetted. (Land sales Feb. \J1854\j.)"
"\BDec 03, \J1854\j\b - Military and police attack the Eureka Stockade and quickly overcome the miners; five troopers and 35 to 40 miners killed; Lalor, badly wounded, escapes; Raffaello Carboni and 12 others captured; martial law proclaimed (revoked 9th)."
"\BDec 08, \J1854\j\b - Carboni and the other captured diggers charged with high treason."
"\BDec 08, \J1854\j\b - û First land sales at Taree, NSW, a town having been laid out."
"\BDec 07, \J1855\j\b - Warrnambool, Vic., gazetted as a municipality."
"\BDec 17, \J1855\j\b - Portland, Vic., proclaimed a municipality."
"\BDec 18, \J1855\j\b - William Nicholson moves and carries a motion in the Vic. Legislative Council providing for votes by secret ballot in elections."
"\BDec 21, \J1855\j\b - Haines government resigns over ballot motion; Nicholson deputed to form a government but is unable to."
"\BDec 31, \J1855\j\b - Sir Charles Hotham died (49)."
"\BDec 02, \J1856\j\b - First Tas. parliament under responsible government opens."
"\BDec 26, \J1856\j\b - Sir Henry Barkly becomes Vic.'s first constitutional Governor."
"\BDec 01, \J1857\j\b - Fitzroy Dock on Cockatoo Is., Sydney, opens."
"\BDec 22, \J1857\j\b - Hobart incorporated."
"\BDec 31, \J1857\j\b - Melbourne's Yan Yean water supply turned on."
"\BDec 21, \J1857\j\b - Nat Gould born (û \J1919\j)."
"\BDec 09, \J1858\j\b - Royal commission on the defence of NSW names Russia as a possible aggressor."
"\BDec 13, \J1858\j\b - Balloonist William Dean makes the first balloon ascent over Sydney."
"\BDec 10, \J1859\j\b - Queensland proclaimed a colony separate from NSW; Sir George Ferguson Bowen becomes Governor; R. G. W. Herbert becomes Premier."
"\BDec 17, \J1859\j\b - Copper discovered on Yorke Peninsula, SA, leading to the opening of the Wallaroo mine."
"\BDec 20, \J1859\j\b - Manhood suffrage and secret ballot granted in Qld."
"\BDec 27, \J1859\j\b - William Lister Lister born (û \J1943\j)."
"\BDec 12, \J1860\j\b - Vigilance committee of miners at Lambing Flat burn grog shanties and attack Chinese miners; two reported killed."
"\BDec 16, \J1860\j\b - Burke and Wills, with Charles Gray and John King, leave Cooper's Creek in a bid to reach the Gulf of Carpentaria."
"\BDec 28, \J1860\j\b - Adelaide gets a domestic water supply from Thorndon Park reservoir."
"\BDec 07, \J1860\j\b - Joseph Cook born (û \J1947\j)."
"\BDec 06, \J1861\j\b - Landsborough discovers the Barkly Tableland."
"\BDec 10, \J1861\j\b - Western boundary of SA extended to coincide with the eastern boundary of WAùi.e., the 129th meridian. (Legislation passed 22 July.)"
"\BDec 23, \J1861\j\b - First trams (horse-drawn) run in Sydney, along Pitt Street from Circular Quay to the railway station at Redfern. (Cease in \J1866\j.)"
"\BDec 29, \J1861\j\b - Hubert Murray born (û \J1940\j)."
"\BDec 04, \J1862\j\b - State aid to religion abolished in NSW."
"\BDec 26, \J1862\j\b - Gold found at Walhalla, Vic."
"\BDec 01, \J1864\j\b - Fire sweeps through a large area in central Brisbane bounded by Queen, George, Elizabeth, and Albert streets, destroying 50 buildings."
"\BDec 06, \J1865\j\b - Surveyor-General G. W. Goyder completes his survey to delineate the limits of safe agriculture in SA (Goyder's Line)."
"\BDec 11, \J1865\j\b - Election held in Vic. following the Legislative Council's refusal to pass the Appropriation Bill; McCulloch government returned."
"\BDec 11, \J1865\j\b - Bank of Adelaide opens for business."
"\BDec 07, \J1866\j\b - Gold commissioner J. G. Grenfell killed by bushrangers near Narromine, NSW."
"\BDec 22, \J1866\j\b - Henry Parkes' Public Schools Act of NSW assented to; dual system abolished and Council of Education established to maintain state schools; government aid to Church schools greatly reduced."
"\BDec 01, \J1868\j\b - Vic.'s first Agent-General, G. F. Verdon, takes up his appointment in"
"\BDec 01, \J1868\j\b - London."
"\BDec 28, \J1868\j\b - G. W. Goyder, Surveyor-General of SA, leaves Adelaide in the \IMoonta\b\i to found a new settlement in the NT."
"\BDec 29, \J1869\j\b - Public Library, Museum, and National Gallery of Vic. incorporated by act of parliament."
"\BDec 05, \J1870\j\b - WA's first elected Legislative Council meets for the first time."
"\BDec 16, \J1870\j\b - James Martin forms a coalition ministry in NSW with Robertson."
"\BDec 29, \J1870\j\b - Legislation passed in Vic. providing for the payment (ú300 a year) of MPs for a trial period. (Extended in \J1874\j; made permanent in \J1886\j)."
"\BDec 16, \J1870\j\b - Alfred Hill born (-\J1960\j)."
"\BDec 04, \J1871\j\b - One of the world's richest tin deposits discovered by James ('Philosopher') Smith at Mt Bischoff, Tas."
"\BDec 25, \J1871\j\b - Goldfield discovered at Charters Tors (Towers), Qld, by Hugh Mosman and others. (Rush begins in Feb. \J1872\j.)"
"\BDec 25, \J1871\j\b - Helena Rubinstein born (-\J1965\j)."
"\BDec 05, \J1872\j\b - HMS \IBeagle\b\i and HMS \ISandfly,\b\i the first of five armed schooners built in Sydney for the NSW navy, are commissioned for anti-blackbirding duties in the Pacific."
"\BDec 17, \J1872\j\b - Vic. Education Act assented to. (Comes into force on 1 Jan. \J1873\j.)"
"\BDec 18, \J1872\j\b - First recorded discovery of opals, at Listowel Downs, near Adavale, Qld."
"\BDec 01, \J1872\j\b - Inigo Jones born (-\J1954\j)."
"\BDec 09, \J1873\j\b - Striking miners and their supporters at Clunes goldfield drive off Chinese strike-breakers and their police escort."
"\BDec 20, \J1873\j\b - Mail-steamer service begins between Sydney and San Francisco."
"\BDec 29, \J1873\j\b - Warburton's party, at the Oakover River, are saved by the return of one of his men (sent ahead earlier) with help and relief."
"\BDec 11, \J1873\j\b - John West died (64)."
"\BDec 16, \J1874\j\b - NSW Trades and Labor Council representative Angus Cameron elected to parliament as member for East Sydney (paid ú3 a week by TLC)."
"\BDec 23, \J1874\j\b - Fire destroys 45 houses in Windsor, NSW."
"\BDec 24, \J1875\j\b - Cyclone destroys a pearling fleet in the Exmouth Gulf, WA; 59 lives lost."
"\BDec 02, \J1875\j\b - C. J. La Trobe died (74)."
"\BDec 03, \J1875\j\b - Max Meldrum born (-\J1955\j)."
"\BDec 02, \J1876\j\b - SS \IGeorgette\b\i runs aground near Busselton, WA; sixteen-year-old Grace Bussell, on horseback, rescues a number of passengers from the surf."
"\BDec 21, \J1876\j\b - J. T. Lang born (-\J1975\j)."
"\BDec 08, \J1877\j\b - Telegraph line from Perth to Adelaide (and hence to London) completed."
"\BDec 12, \J1877\j\b - Jervois report on Adelaide's defences presented to SA parliament."
"\BDec 18, \J1877\j\b - J. S. Farnell forms a ministry in NSW following the Oct. elections."
"\BDec 06, \J1878\j\b - Vic. parliament prorogued, with the deadlock over reform of the Legislative Council unresolved; Berry sails for the UK (28th) to press for reform."
"\BDec 10, \J1878\j\b - Kelly Gang raid Euroa, Vic., and rob the bank of ú2,000. (Rewards for their capture are increased to \ú1,000 a head.)"
"\BDec 20, \J1878\j\b - W. L. Crowther replaces Giblin as Premier of Tas."
"\BDec 21, \J1878\j\b - Sir Henry Parkes becomes Premier of NSW for the third time, in coalition with Sir John Robertson, following the defeat of the Farnell government."
"\BDec 08, \J1879\j\b - Captain Moonlite tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death. (Hanged 20 Jan. \J1880\j.)"
"\BDec 07, \J1881\j\b - Sir George Strahan becomes Governor of Tas."
"\BDec 02, \J1882\j\b - Seven people killed when two trains collide head-on near Burnley, Vic."
"\BDec 04, \J1882\j\b - Silver-lead discovered at Zeehan, Tas."
"\BDec 10, \J1882\j\b - Melbourne tailoresses strike successfully over a reduction in piece-work rates and (15th) form Australia's first women's trade unionùthe Victorian Tailoresses Union."
"\BDec 12, \J1882\j\b - New Australasian Mine at Creswick, Vic., floods; 22 lives lost."
"\BDec 02, \J1882\j\b - Eliza Winstanley died (64?)."
"\BDec 16, \J1882\j\b - Elioth Gruner born (- \J1939\j)."
"\BDec 04, \J1883\j\b - Katharine Susannah Prichard born (- \J1969\j)."
"\BDec 29, \J1884\j\b - E. G. Theodore born (- \J1950\j)."
"\BDec 12, \J1885\j\b - Baron Carrington becomes Governor of NSW."
"\BDec 18, \J1885\j\b - Vic.'s new and comprehensive Factory Act regulates hours and conditions in factories employing more than six workers."
"\BDec 22, \J1885\j\b - Sir John Robertson becomes Premier of NSW for the fifth time, following the resignation of the Dibbs ministry (on the 16th)."
"\BDec 04, \J1885\j\b - David Rivett born (- \J1961\j)."
"\BDec 08, \J1886\j\b - SS \IKeilawarra\b\i sinks after colliding with the \IHelen Nicoll\b\i off North Solitary Is., NSW, with the loss of 40 lives."
"\BDec 24, \J1886\j\b - Academy of Music Theatre, Adelaide, destroyed by fire for the third time in three years; three firemen killed."
"\BDec 01, \J1887\j\b - Telephone exchange opens in Perth."
"\BDec 20, \J1887\j\b - Australasian Naval Defence Act, passed in the UK, provides for an auxiliary naval squadron, partly maintained by the colonies, to supplement the British squadron in Australian waters."
"\BDec 15, \J1893\j\b - Esperance, WA, gazetted as a town site."
"\BDec 28, \J1893\j\b - SS \IAlert\b\i sinks off Cape Schanck, Vic; 14 lives lost."
"\BDec 31, \J1893\j\b - \IRoyal Tar\b\i sails from Adelaide with another 199 settlers for the New Australia settlement in Paraguay (81 of the first settlers having already been lost to the community through expulsion or disaffection)."
"\BDec 02, \J1893\j\b - Raphael Cilento born (-\J1985\j)."
"\BDec 21, \J1894\j\b - SA enacts legislation to establish a statutory authority to conciliate in disputes between employers and employees."
"\BDec 20, \J1894\j\b - Robert Gordon Menzies born (-\J1978\j)."
"\BDec 01, \J1895\j\b - WA standardises its time at eight hours ahead of GMT (Western Standard Time)."
"\BDec 10, \J1895\j\b - Launceston lit by electricity."
"\BDec 12, \J1895\j\b - Land and income taxes introduced in NSW."
"\BDec 20, \J1895\j\b - SA enacts federal enabling legislation, as does NSW (23rd)."
"\BDec 23, \J1895\j\b - Sir Gerard Smith becomes Governor of WA."
"\BDec 04, \J1896\j\b - Boulder, WA, declared a town site."
"\BDec 06, \J1896\j\b - Eleven miners die from the effects of gas in the Stockton Mine, Newcastle."
"\BDec 03, \J1897\j\b - Collie, WA, declared a town site. (Coal mining begins during the month.)"
"\BDec 19, \J1897\j\b - \ISunday Times\b\i begins publication in Perth."
"\BDec 31, \J1897\j\b - Bushfires raging in southern Tas. reach their peak; at least six people die."
"\BDec 01, \J1899\j\b - V. L. Solomon becomes Premier of SA following the fall of the Kingston government but is himself replaced by F. W. Holder a week later."
"\BDec 05, \J1899\j\b - Allan McLean replaces Sir George Turner as Premier of Vic."
"\BDec 07, \J1899\j\b - Robert Philp forms a ministry in Qld."
"\BDec 08, \J1899\j\b - Electric tramway begins running in George Street, Sydney."
"\BDec 16, \J1899\j\b - WA legislates for triennial parliaments and votes for women."
"\BDec 22, \J1899\j\b - Early Closing Act in NSW; shops in Sydney and Newcastle to close on four days at 6 p.m., one at 10 p.m., and one at 1 p.m."
"\BDec 05, \J1900\j\b - Conciliation and Arbitration Act passed in WA. Legislation also passed providing for the payment of MPs."
"\BDec 05, \J1900\j\b - SA Factories Act amended to introduce wages boards and early closing."
"\BDec 15, \J1900\j\b - Lord Hopetoun arrives in Sydney and (19th) invites NSW Premier Sir William Lyne to form a federal ministry, but Lyne, an anti-federalist, is unable to gain support and (24th) Edmund Barton is commissioned."
"\BDec 28, \J1900\j\b - Qld enacts early closing legislation (Sat. to be half day)."
"\BDec 30, \J1900\j\b - Barton announces his ministers for the first federal government."
"\BDec 17, \J1901\j\b - Federal parliament legislates to end recruitment of kanakas by 31 Mar. \J1904\j and to deport any found in Australia after \J1906\j."
"\BDec 23, \J1901\j\b - Immigration Restriction Act introduces a dictation test as a way of keeping out those regarded as undesirable. (Repealed \J1958\j.)"
"\BDec 02, \J1902\j\b - Qld imposes a personal income tax."
"\BDec 18, \J1902\j\b - Title of Lord Mayor conferred in Sydney and Melbourne."
"\BDec 09, \J1903\j\b - Automobile Club of Victoria formed. (Granted Royal prefix in \J1916\j.)"
"\BDec 10, \J1903\j\b - Women gain the vote in Tas. state elections."
"\BDec 16, \J1903\j\b - Election for House of Representatives and half Senate, women voting for the first time. Deakin retains office with the support of the 25 Labour members elected. (Vida Goldstein and the other three women candidates for parliament fail to win seats.)"
"\BDec 03, \J1904\j\b - Ipswich, Qld, proclaimed a city."
"\BDec 15, \J1904\j\b - Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act finally passed, setting up the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration."
"\BDec 01, \J1905\j\b - Steam bus begins operating in Melbourne between Prahran and Malvern."
"\BDec 21, \J1905\j\b - Immigration Registration Act amended to allow for the dictation test to be applied in any prescribed language rather than in a European language."
"\BDec 21, \J1905\j\b - û Motor bus service begins in Sydney."
"\BDec 18, \J1905\j\b - Roy Grounds born (û \J1981\j)."
"\BDec 29, \J1905\j\b - Victor Daley died (47)."
"\BDec 12, \J1906\j\b - Election for House of Representatives and half Senate; Deakin government retains office with Labour support. Referendum proposing minor changes concerning Senate elections carried."
"\BDec 12, \J1906\j\b - Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children opens in Camperdown, Sydney."
"\BDec 19, \J1906\j\b - Legislation enacted authorising the construction of the Barren Jack (now Burrinjuck) Dam and the Murrumbidgee irrigation scheme."
"\BDec 03, \J1906\j\b - Frank Packer born (û \J1974\j)."
"\BDec 19, \J1907\j\b - Invalid Pensions Act passed in NSW, introducing the world's first non-contributory invalid pension (payable on 1 Jan. \J1908\j)."
"\BDec 20, \J1907\j\b - Plural voting abolished and adult suffrage introduced for Legislative Assembly elections in WA."
"\BDec 20, \J1907\j\b - Land tax and income tax introduced in WA."
"\BDec 20, \J1907\j\b - û Railway from Townsville reaches Cloncurry."
"\BDec 07, \J1908\j\b - BHP notifies its employees that wages will be cut by 12 and a half per cent from 1 Jan."
"\BDec 07, \J1908\j\b - \J1909\j; miners refuse to accept this and a strike/lockout begins (to 24 May \J1909\j)."
"\BDec 07, \J1908\j\b - û Cyclone strikes north-west coast of WA; 50 lives lost."
"\BDec 04, \J1909\j\b - Miners' leader Peter Bowling and other strikers arrested and gaoled."
"\BDec 05, \J1909\j\b - First flight in a heavier-than-air machine (unpowered) in Australia made by G. A. Taylor at Narrabeen beach in Sydney. (Four days later, Colin Defries makes the first powered flight in Australia at Victoria Park Racecourse, Sydney.)"
"\BDec 08, \J1909\j\b - Deakin orders the building of the battle-cruiser \IAustralia.\i\b "
"\BDec 08, \J1909\j\b - Lady Dudley calls a meeting at Government House, Melbourne, which leads to the formation of the Bush Nursing Service."
"\BDec 10, \J1909\j\b - University of Queensland founded. (Opens in the former Government House on 14 Mar. \J1911\j.)"
"\BDec 13, \J1909\j\b - Defence Act provides for the introduction of compulsory military training."
"\BDec 16, \J1909\j\b - Legislation passed in NSW providing harsh penalties for instigating or aiding a strike."
"\BDec 21, \J1909\j\b - Lord Kitchener visits Australia (to 12 Feb. \J1910\j) to advise on Australia's military defence."
"\BDec 08, \J1910\j\b - Geelong proclaimed a city."
"\BDec 15, \J1910\j\b - Commonwealth invalid pension comes into operation."
"\BDec 23, \J1910\j\b - Education Act passed in Vic., initiating a state scheme of technical, preparatory trade, higher elementary, and high schools."
"\BDec 02, \J1911\j\b - Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition leaves Hobart in the \IAurora\i\b."
"\BDec 05, \J1911\j\b - W. E. Hart becomes the first Australian to qualify as an air pilot."
"\BDec 15, \J1911\j\b - Queensland Farmers' Union formed as a country political party."
"\BDec 22, \J1911\j\b - Legislation enacted to establish the Commonwealth Bank."
"\BDec 14, \J1912\j\b - One of Mawson's party (Ninnis) disappears into a crevasse with a sledge containing nearly all their provisions; Mawson and Mertz set off on the return journey to base camp."
"\BDec 16, \J1912\j\b - George Rignold died (73)."
"\BDec 29, \J1912\j\b - Peggy Glanville-Hicks born (û \J1990\j)."
"\BDec 09, \J1913\j\b - G. A. Elmslie forms Vic.'s first Labor ministry, after W. A. Watt loses support of country members. (Watt resumes the premiership on 22nd.)"
"\BDec 12, \J1913\j\b - \IAurora\i\b picks up Mawson and his party from Commonwealth Bay. (Expedition returns to Adelaide, 26 Feb. \J1914\j.)"
"\BDec 29, \J1913\j\b - Norfolk Island Act authorises the transfer of Norfolk Island to the Commonwealth. (Transfer takes effect on 1 July \J1914\j.)"
"\BDec 03, \J1914\j\b - Australian and New Zealand troops disembark at Alexandria to undergo war training in Egypt, where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) is formed."
"\BDec 03, \J1914\j\b - Commonwealth fisheries research ship \IEndeavour\i\b leaves Macquarie Island with Director of Fisheries H. K. Dannevig and his staff and is not heard of again."
"\BDec 21, \J1914\j\b - Lt-Gen. Sir William Birdwood arrives in Egypt to take up his appointment as commander of ANZAC."
"\BDec 23, \J1914\j\b - Enrolment and voting made compulsory in Qld."
"\BDec 29, \J1914\j\b - Albert Tucker born"
"\BDec 01, \J1915\j\b - Australian Wheat Board begins operations."
"\BDec 08, \J1915\j\b - Evacuation of Anzacs from Gallipoli begins. (Completed 20th.)"
"\BDec 14, \J1915\j\b - Farmers and Settlers' Association formed in Adelaide. (Becomes the Country Party Association in \J1923\j.)"
"\BDec 29, \J1915\j\b - Land tax imposed in Qld."
"\BDec 01, \J1916\j\b - Trial of 12 IWW members charged with arson and sedition; 10 sentenced to between 5 and 15 years' gaol."
"\BDec 21, \J1916\j\b - Australian Light Horsemen capture El Arish and (on 23rd) Magdhaba in the Sinai."
"\BDec 28, \J1916\j\b - Most of Clermont, Qld, washed away and 62 people drown in floods following a cyclone."
"\BDec 28, \J1916\j\b - û Two members of the IWW hanged at Bathurst after being found guilty of murdering a policeman at Tottenham, NSW."
"\BDec 20, \J1917\j\b - Second conscription referendum held; conscription again rejected."
"\BDec 20, \J1917\j\b - Frederick McCubbin died (62)."
"\BDec 18, \J1918\j\b - Proportional representation in multi-member electorates introduced in NSW (to \J1926\j)."
"\BDec 21, \J1918\j\b - Mass meeting in Darwin demands an inquiry into the Northern Territory Administration and the removal of Administrator J. A. Gilruth; Government House picketed. (Gilruth leaves 20 Feb. \J1919\j.)"
"\BDec 16, \J1918\j\b - E. W. Cole died (86)."
"\BDec 10, \J1919\j\b - Ross and Keith Smith land at Darwin, winning the race to be first to fly from England to Australia and carrying the first overseas airmail between the two countries."
"\BDec 13, \J1919\j\b - Election for House of Representatives and half Senate; Nationalists, with the support of 11 country members, are returned with a reduced majority. Two referendums on proposals to extend the Commonwealth's wartime powers fail to receive sufficient support."
"\BDec 16, \J1919\j\b - A. L. Long makes the first crossing of Bass Strait by plane."
"\BDec 14, \J1920\j\b - Commonwealth Bank takes over the issuing of banknotes from the Treasury."
"\BDec 17, \J1920\j\b - League of Nations confirms Australia's mandates to control Nauru and German New Guinea (20th)."
"\BDec 05, \J1921\j\b - Australia's first official airmail service begins, between Geraldton and Derby, WA. (Service disrupted by the crash of one of the three planes on the inaugural flight, killing the crew of two.)"
"\BDec 06, \J1921\j\b - Six miners die when a cage falls down the shaft of the Golden Horseshoe mine, Kalgoorlie, WA."
"\BDec 07, \J1921\j\b - SS \IMoreton Bay,\b\i first of the 'Bay' ships built for the Commonwealth Government Line, leaves Britain on its maiden voyage."
"\BDec 13, \J1921\j\b - Fire guts a wool store in Kirribilli, Sydney, threatening adjacent Admiralty House."
"\BDec 15, \J1921\j\b - Legislation enacted providing for the establishment of the Tariff Board and increasing tariff duties."
"\BDec 20, \J1921\j\b - Sir George Fuller becomes Premier of NSW for one day when the Dooley Labor government is temporarily unseated over tax proposals."
"\BDec 26, \J1921\j\b - Donald Horne born"
"\BDec 05, \J1923\j\b - Radio station 2FC, established by the department store Farmer & Co., begins broadcasting in Sydney."
"\BDec 10, \J1923\j\b - General Motors signs an agreement with Holden's for the manufacture of car bodies at Woodville, SA."
"\BDec 05, \J1924\j\b - H. P. Christmas opens Australia's first Woolworths store, in the Imperial Arcade, Sydney."
"\BDec 08, \J1924\j\b - Completion of gaps on Qld's coastal railway gives an unbroken rail link between Brisbane and Cairns."
"\BDec 17, \J1924\j\b - Radio station 7ZL begins broadcasting in Hobart."
"\BDec 17, \J1924\j\b - û Pilot briquette plant completed at Yallourn. (Commercial production begins in \J1925\j.)"
"\BDec 17, \J1924\j\b - û R. G. Casey becomes Australian Liaison Officer to the UK Foreign Office in London."
"\BDec 17, \J1924\j\b - Clifton Pugh born (û \J1990\j)."
"\BDec 14, \J1925\j\b - û Melbourne \IPunch\i\b incorporated in \ITable Talk\i\b."
"\BDec 20, \J1926\j\b - Sydney's underground railway begins operating on its first sectionùCentral to St James Station."
"\BDec 31, \J1926\j\b - Billy Snedden born (-\J1987\j)."
"\BDec 07, \J1927\j\b - Albert Griffiths ('Young Griffo') died (58)."
"\BDec 12, \J1928\j\b - Australian National Airways Ltd formed in Sydney by Kingsford Smith and Ulm. (Goes into liquidation in June \J1931\j.)"
"\BDec 12, \J1929\j\b - E. J. Hogan becomes Premier of Vic. for the second time."
"\BDec 14, \J1929\j\b - Electric trams (and buses) replace trains between Adelaide city and Glenelg."
"\BDec 16, \J1929\j\b - Miners demonstrating at Rothbury colliery, NSW, against the use of non-union labour to open the mines clash with police; one miner killed and at least nine wounded by police bullets."
"\BDec 17, \J1929\j\b - Scullin government takes Australia off the gold standard."
"\BDec 09, \J1929\j\b - R. J. L. (Bob) Hawke born"
"\BDec 31, \J1929\j\b - J. D. Anthony born"
"\BDec 18, \J1930\j\b - Perth connected by telephone to Adelaide (and thus to the rest of Australia)."
"\BDec 19, \J1930\j\b - H. V. Evatt and E. A. McTiernan (on 20th) appointed to the High Court."
"\BDec 03, \J1931\j\b - Exchange rate of the Australian pound is fixed at úA125 = ústg100."
"\BDec 11, \J1931\j\b - Statute of Westminister gives effect to resolutions passed at Imperial Conferences of \J1926\j and \J1930\j; the UK parliament would not enact legislation for the dominions without their request or consent."
"\BDec 19, \J1931\j\b - Election for House of Representatives and half Senate; UAP wins an absolute majority in both houses; Theodore loses his seat; S. M. Bruce is re-elected; Lyons becomes Prime Minister (6 Jan. \J1932\j.)"
"\BDec 01, \J1934\j\b - Record floods in the Yarra, eastern Port Phillip streams, and central and south Gippsland; 35 lives lost."
"\BDec 02, \J1934\j\b - SS \ICoramba\b\i wrecked on Seal Rocks, NSW; all 17 hands lost."
"\BDec 04, \J1934\j\b - Aircraft \IStella Australis\b\i lost off Hawaii on a flight from USA to Australia; Charles Ulm one of three crew killed."
"\BDec 10, \J1934\j\b - Inaugural flight of QEA-Imperial Airways airmail service between Australia and England leaves Brisbane."
"\BDec 04, \J1934\j\b - C. T. P. Ulm died (36)."
"\BDec 04, \J1936\j\b - Ernabella station in SA bought by the Presbyterian Church for an Aboriginal mission. (Opens Nov. \J1937\j.)"
"\BDec 17, \J1937\j\b - Kerry Packer born"
"\BDec 04, \J1938\j\b - Yvonne Minton born"
"\BDec 21, \J1938\j\b - Frank Moorhouse born"
"\BDec 01, \J1939\j\b - Import licensing imposed on goods from non-sterling countries."
"\BDec 18, \J1939\j\b - Robert Cosgrove replaces Dwyer-Gray as Premier of Tas."
"\BDec 20, \J1939\j\b - Short-wave radio service Australia Calling (later Radio Australia) begins broadcasting in English, French, Dutch, and Spanish."
"\BDec 06, \J1939\j\b - Sir Ernest Scott died (72)."
"\BDec 26, \J1939\j\b - Fred Schepisi born"
"\BDec 05, \J1940\j\b - Australian coaster \INimbin\i\b strikes a mine and sinks off Newcastle; seven lives lost."
"\BDec 07, \J1940\j\b - German raiders \IKomet\i\b and \IOrion\i\b sink five phosphate ships (including three Australian vessels) off Nauru (to 8th)."
"\BDec 13, \J1940\j\b - Call-up extended to age 33 for single men."
"\BDec 08, \J1941\j\b - Prime Minister Curtin announces that Australia is at war with Japan following Japanese attacks on Kota Bharu (Malaya), Thailand, Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Singapore, and Guam earlier in the day (Australian time). RAAF bombers based in Malaya attack Japanese landing at Kota Bharu."
"\BDec 08, \J1941\j\b - Australia declares war on Finland, Hungary, and Romania."
"\BDec 11, \J1941\j\b - Single men 18 to 45 and married men 18 to 35 called up for full-time duty."
"\BDec 22, \J1941\j\b - First American servicemen arrive in Australia, disembarking at Brisbane."
"\BDec 27, \J1941\j\b - Curtin, in a New Year message to the Australian people, states, Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom."
"\BDec 27, \J1941\j\b - û Air-raid precautions instituted in Sydney; construction of shelters begins; many people move to the Blue Mountains."
"\BDec 01, \J1942\j\b - Corvette HMAS \IArmidale\i\b sunk by a Japanese air attack in the Arafura Sea."
"\BDec 03, \J1942\j\b - Women aged 18 to 30 called up for war work."
"\BDec 09, \J1942\j\b - Optional preferential voting abolished in Qld in favour of a first-past-the-post system. (Preferential voting restored in \J1962\j.)"
"\BDec 09, \J1942\j\b - Australian troops recapture Gona."
"\BDec 16, \J1942\j\b - Voting (preferential) made compulsory in SA lower-house elections."
"\BDec 18, \J1942\j\b - Ban on the Communist Party of Australia lifted."
"\BDec 22, \J1942\j\b - Dept of Post-War Reconstruction created, with J. B. Chifley as minister."
"\BDec 22, \J1943\j\b - Floating bridge across the Derwent at Hobart officially opened."
"\BDec 01, \J1945\j\b - Sir Thomas Blamey removed as Commander-in-Chief of Australian Forces."
"\BDec 07, \J1945\j\b - Maitland, NSW, proclaimed a city."
"\BDec 12, \J1945\j\b - Lithgow, NSW, proclaimed a city."
"\BDec 13, \J1946\j\b - Australian trusteeship over the former Mandated Territory of New Guinea approved by the UN."
"\BDec 14, \J1946\j\b - National Security regulations extended for a further year."
"\BDec 18, \J1946\j\b - Albury, NSW, proclaimed a city."
"\BDec 13, \J1947\j\b - First election for the NT Legislative Council held."
"\BDec 18, \J1947\j\b - Edward Brooker becomes Premier of Tas. on Robert Cosgrove's resignation to face bribery and corruption charges."
"\BDec 26, \J1947\j\b - Heard Is. and the McDonald Islands transferred from British to Australian administration."
"\BDec 31, \J1947\j\b - Wartime Commonwealth control over the production and marketing of eggs ends, and State Egg Boards take over."
"\BDec 06, \J1948\j\b - Legislation enacted granting the ACT a non-voting member of the House of Representatives."
"\BDec 10, \J1948\j\b - Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service comes into operation."
"\BDec 16, \J1948\j\b - û Town of South Coast (later City of Gold Coast), Qld, established."
"\BDec 01, \J1949\j\b - Unions lift their four-year ban on Dutch shipping to Indonesia."
"\BDec 10, \J1949\j\b - Election for House of Representatives (increased to 121 members) and half Senate (increased from 36 to 60 members); Chifley government defeated; new members include Paul Hasluck, William McMahon, and Sen. John Gorton; R. G. Menzies becomes Prime Minister."
"\BDec 19, \J1949\j\b - Menzies government sworn in; A. W. Fadden Deputy Prime Minister; Enid Lyons, the first woman to serve in a Commonwealth ministry, Vice-President of the Executive Council."
"\BDec 09, \J1950\j\b - Liquor prohibition rejected in WA referendum."
"\BDec 09, \J1950\j\b - û Australian troops withdraw from North Korea to the south, and RAN ships \IWarramunga\i\b and \IBataan\i\b take part in the evacuation of UN forces and refugees from Chinnampo."
"\BDec 08, \J1951\j\b - û Newcastle University College established as a college of the NSW University of Technology. (Becomes the University of Newcastle in \J1965\j.)"
"\BDec 22, \J1951\j\b - Jan Stephenson born"
"\BDec 06, \J1952\j\b - Labor wins Vic. election; John Cain again becomes Premier (17 Dec.)."
"\BDec 25, \J1952\j\b - Body of Shirley Butler found in Waverton, Sydney; murderer never found."
"\BDec 02, \J1953\j\b - Trial in Sydney of Mr One-By-One (Edward Charles Windeyer), who forged ú10 notes and used them one at a time at race meetings; sentenced to seven years' gaol."
"\BDec 19, \J1953\j\b - Two trains collide at Sydenham, Sydney; five killed and 748 injured."
"\BDec 02, \J1953\j\b - R. L. ("Snowy") Baker died (69)."
"\BDec 20, \J1953\j\b - King O'Malley died (95?)."
"\BDec 09, \J1954\j\b - Mt Gambier, SA, becomes a city."
"\BDec 10, \J1955\j\b - Election for House of Representatives and half Senate; Menzies government returned with an increased majority; Anti-Communist Labor members lose their seats in the House of Representatives (but have two seats in the Senate); new members include J. F. Cairns, Malcolm Fraser, and B. M. Snedden."
"\BDec 18, \J1955\j\b - Adelaide's \ISunday Advertiser\i\b merges with the \IMail\i\b to become the \ISunday Mail.\i\b "
"\BDec 01, \J1956\j\b - Train collision at Wallumbilla, Qld; five people killed."
"\BDec 24, \J1956\j\b - \IWoman's Day\i\b, formed by the amalgamation of \IWoman\i\b and \IWoman's Day and Home\i\b, begins publication."
"\BDec 24, \J1956\j\b - û Australia agrees to provide sanctuary for up to 10,000 refugees from Hungary following the Soviet invasion to quell uprisings."
"\BDec 02, \J1957\j\b - Bushfires in the Blue Mountains, NSW, destroy 158 houses and cause the deaths of five people."
"\BDec 02, \J1957\j\b - û National executive of The Movement leave that organisation and subsequently form the National Civic Council, with B. A. Santamaria as president."
"\BDec 10, \J1958\j\b - Agreement reached in Canberra between Australia and the Netherlands on administrative problems of New Guinea."
"\BDec 10, \J1958\j\b - Legislation enacted in NSW to prevent the defamation of dead as well as living persons."
"\BDec 20, \J1958\j\b - Aboriginal itinerant worker Rupert Max Stuart murders nine-year-old Mary Hattam at Ceduna, SA. (Stuart is subsequently sentenced to death, but after a series of appeals, a royal commission, and much public controversy, his sentence is commuted to life imprisonment.)"
"\BDec 01, \J1959\j\b - Australia and eleven other nations sign a thirty-year treaty in Washington to preserve Antarctica for peaceful scientific research and to retain the status quo of sovereignty."
"\BDec 18, \J1959\j\b - Edouard Borovansky died (57)."
"\BDec 03, \J1960\j\b - Commonwealth relaxes its 22-year-old embargo on the export of iron ore."
"\BDec 07, \J1960\j\b - National Library of Australia, Canberra, formerly part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library, established as an independent institution."
"\BDec 20, \J1960\j\b - Australia's first commercial heliport opens in Melbourne on the Yarra."
"\BDec 03, \J1961\j\b - Australia's first commercially proved oilfield discovered at Moonie, some 300 km west of Brisbane."
"\BDec 09, \J1961\j\b - Election for House of Representatives and half Senate; Menzies government returned (as a result of DLP preferences), but with a majority in the House of Representatives of one after electing a Speaker; new members include Bill Hayden and Sen. Lionel Murphy."
"\BDec 30, \J1961\j\b - Australian government expresses its concern over the controversy between the Netherlands and Indonesia in West New Guinea."
"\BDec 20, \J1961\j\b - Sir Earle Page died (81)."
"\BDec 01, \J1962\j\b - Country Party re-established in Tas."
"\BDec 03, \J1962\j\b - Dame Mary Gilmore died (97)."
"\BDec 03, \J1963\j\b - Commonwealth Pacific Cable (Compac) officially opened, connecting Australia by direct telephone link to NZ, Fiji, Hawaii, and Canada."
"\BDec 05, \J1964\j\b - Election for half Senate; government retains its majority; V. C. Gair wins a Qld seat and becomes DLP leader, replacing a defeated George Cole."
"\BDec 10, \J1964\j\b - Qld government declares a state of emergency in an attempt to end the Mt Isa dispute."
"\BDec 16, \J1964\j\b - La Trobe University established in Melbourne. (First students admitted in Mar. \J1967\j.)"
"\BDec 27, \J1964\j\b - Australia's first offshore oil well spudded in in the Gippsland Basin of Bass Strait."
"\BDec 15, \J1965\j\b - Harry Chan becomes the first elected president of the NT Legislative Council."
"\BDec 15, \J1965\j\b - û First section of the SydneyûNewcastle expressway opened."
"\BDec 09, \J1966\j\b - Agreement for an American satellite base at Pine Gap, NT, negotiated."
"\BDec 12, \J1966\j\b - Lone round-the-world sailor Francis Chichester arrives at Sydney in his yacht \IGypsy Moth IV.\i\b "
"\BDec 22, \J1966\j\b - Australian commitment in Vietnam increased to 6,300 men, with an additional 12 tanks, two minesweepers, and eight bombers."
"\BDec 16, \J1966\j\b - Sir Gordon Taylor died (70)"
"\BDec 17, \J1967\j\b - Prime Minister Harold Holt disappears in the surf at Cheviot Beach, Portsea, Vic. (Body never found.)"
"\BDec 19, \J1967\j\b - Country Party leader John McEwen sworn in as Prime Minister."
"\BDec 22, \J1967\j\b - Representatives of 26 nations, including President Johnson and Prince Charles, attend the Holt memorial service in Melbourne."
"\BDec 17, \J1967\j\b - Harold Holt died (59)."
"\BDec 31, \J1967\j\b - Arthur Mailey died (81)."
"\BDec 14, \J1968\j\b - Referendum in Tas. approves a proposal for the Wrest Point Casino."
"\BDec 19, \J1968\j\b - Breathaliser introduced in NSW."
"\BDec 31, \J1968\j\b - MacRobertson-Miller Airlines Viscount crashes at Port Hedland, WA; all 26 on board killed."
"\BDec 14, \J1970\j\b - Viscount Slim died (79)."
"\BDec 05, \J1971\j\b - Socialist Party of Australia formed by Moscow-sympathetic former members of the CPA."
"\BDec 07, \J1971\j\b - Det.-Sgt Philip Arantz suspended from the NSW Police Force for leaking confidential material on crime statistics to the press. (Given $250,000 in compensation in \J1985\j; dismissal revoked in \J1989\j.)"
"\BDec 24, \J1971\j\b - Cyclone Althea damages hundreds of buildings in Townsville and causes the deaths of three people."
"\BDec 02, \J1972\j\b - Election for the House of Representatives: Labor Party wins office after 23 years in opposition."
"\BDec 05, \J1972\j\b - Interim two-man ministry of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and deputy Lance Barnard sworn in. Barnard announces the immediate end of National Service call-up. (Gaoled draft resisters released next day.)"
"\BDec 11, \J1972\j\b - Federal government announces the withdrawal of the remaining troops in Vietnam. (Last Australian servicemen leave on 19th.)"
"\BDec 12, \J1972\j\b - Australian Schools Commission interim committee set up."
"\BDec 19, \J1972\j\b - Full Whitlam ministry sworn in."
"\BDec 20, \J1972\j\b - B. M. Snedden replaces William McMahon as leader of the federal parliamentary Liberal Party."
"\BDec 22, \J1972\j\b - Diplomatic relations established with the People's Republic of China and the German Democratic Republic."
"\BDec 23, \J1972\j\b - Australian dollar revalued upwards by 7.05%."
"\BDec 01, \J1973\j\b - Papua New Guinea achieves self-government."
"\BDec 08, \J1973\j\b - Referendums to give government control of prices and incomes defeated."
"\BDec 03, \J1973\j\b - Bee Miles died (71)."
"\BDec 13, \J1975\j\b - Election for federal parliament; Liberal-NCP coalition wins majorities in both houses (91 of the 127 House seats and 35 Senate seats)."
"\BDec 25, \J1975\j\b - Fifteen people die in a fire at the Savoy private hotel in Kings Cross, Sydney."
"\BDec 10, \J1975\j\b - Andrew ('Boy') Charlton died (68)."
"\BDec 01, \J1976\j\b - Aboriginal pastor Sir Douglas Nicholls becomes Governor of SAùthe first Aboriginal to fill a vice-regal position."
"\BDec 04, \J1976\j\b - Fire, deliberately lit, at HMAS \IAlbatross\b\i naval base at Nowra, NSW, destroys 12 of the navy's 13 Grumman Tracker aircraft (half the navy's anti-submarine strength)."
"\BDec 09, \J1976\j\b - Federal Court of Australia created to take over jurisdiction of the Industrial Court and the Bankruptcy Court. (Begins exercising its jurisdiction on 1 Feb. \J1977\j.)"
"\BDec 11, \J1976\j\b - Neilson government re-elected in Tas."
"\BDec 16, \J1976\j\b - Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act gives Aborigines freehold title to former reserve land in the NT and provides a procedure for them to claim other Crown land."
"\BDec 23, \J1976\j\b - First of seven young women abducted in Adelaide over a six-week period disappears. (Bodies of all seven found in \J1978\j-79 near Truro.)"
"\BDec 25, \J1976\j\b - Sir Daryl Lindsay died (86)."
"\BDec 01, \J1977\j\b - D. A. Lowe replaces W. A. Neilson as Premier of Tas."
"\BDec 03, \J1977\j\b - Police in Brisbane make more than 200 arrests in clashes with civil liberties demonstrators protesting against street-march restrictions."
"\BDec 08, \J1977\j\b - Sir Zelman Cowen becomes Governor-General, following Sir John Kerr's resignation."
"\BDec 10, \J1977\j\b - Election for House of Representatives and half Senate; Fraser government re-elected; Democrats win two Senate seats; new members include Neal Blewett and Barry Jones; Gough Whitlam announces he will step down as leader of the Labor Party."
"\BDec 22, \J1977\j\b - W. G. Hayden elected ALP leader."
"\BDec 04, \J1977\j\b - Sir George Coles died (92)."
"\BDec 18, \J1977\j\b - Cyril Ritchard died (78)."
"\BDec 14, \J1979\j\b - Hotels in NSW allowed to trade on Sundays."
"\BDec 02, \J1980\j\b - Federal government lifts controls on interest rates offered by banks on customer deposits."
"\BDec 15, \J1980\j\b - Inquest into the death of Azaria Chamberlain begins in Alice Springs."
"\BDec 17, \J1980\j\b - Turkish Consul-General Sarik Ariyak and his bodyguard are shot dead in Dover Heights, Sydney; assassins escape on a motorcycle."
"\BDec 24, \J1980\j\b - Bomb explodes in Woolworths' Town Hall store in Sydney, the third bombing of a Woolworths store in a $1 million extortion attempt."
"\BDec 12, \J1981\j\b - Referendum held in Tas. to decide the site of the dam on the Franklin River (44.89% vote No dams or informal.)"
"\BDec 31, \J1981\j\b - Death duties abolished in NSW."
"\BDec 23, \J1981\j\b - Sir Reginald Ansett died (72)."
"\BDec 01, \J1982\j\b - Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act comes into operation."
"\BDec 17, \J1982\j\b - Random breath testing introduced in NSW."
"\BDec 31, \J1982\j\b - \IAustralian Women's Weekly\b\i first published as a monthly."
"\BDec 09, \J1983\j\b - Australian dollar allowed to float."
"\BDec 01, \J1984\j\b - Election for House of Representatives and half Senate. Hawke government returned with a reduced majority. Democrat numbers in the Senate increased to seven. Recently formed Nuclear Disarmament Party wins one Senate seat. Referendums on simultaneous elections for Senate and House and to allow interchange of powers between Commonwealth and states defeated."
"\BDec 13, \J1984\j\b - Director of Public Prosecutions, Ian Temby, decides that Justice Murphy should be charged with having attempted to pervert the course of justice."
"\BDec 17, \J1984\j\b - More than 76,000 square kilometres of land at Maralinga returned to traditional Aboriginal owners."
"\BDec 20, \J1984\j\b - Grace Cossington Smith died (92)."
"\BDec 02, \J1985\j\b - Australia Act passed by federal parliament, abolishing the right of Australians to appeal to the Privy Council and cutting Australia's last remaining constitutional ties with Britain. (Comes into force, 3 Mar. \J1986\j.)"
"\BDec 05, \J1985\j\b - Royal commission into British atomic tests in Australia, tabled in the Senate, criticises Britain for breaching safety standards and recommends compensation and a British clean-up of contaminated areas."
"\BDec 07, \J1985\j\b - Labor government of John Bannon re-elected in SA."
"\BDec 28, \J1985\j\b - Harry Hopman died (79)."
"\BDec 01, \J1986\j\b - Two youths, James Annetts and Simon Amos, vanish mysteriously from isolated cattle stations in East Kimberley, WA. (Skeletal remains found in the Great Sandy Desert in April \J1987\j.)"
"\BDec 07, \J1986\j\b - Adelaide hit by two fierce storms, which cause extensive damage."
"\BDec 08, \J1986\j\b - Mary Gaudron becomes the first woman appointed to the High Court."
"\BDec 29, \J1986\j\b - John Antill died (82)."
"\BDec 01, \J1987\j\b - Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen resigns as Premier of Qld and retires from parliament; Mike Ahern is sworn in as the new Premier."
"\BDec 08, \J1987\j\b - Gunman Frank Vitkovic shoots dead nine people and wounds five others in a Melbourne office building before plunging 11 storeys to his death."
"\BDec 10, \J1987\j\b - Federal government announces its intention of acknowledging, in the preamble to legislation, that Aborigines were the first owners of Australia."
"\BDec 17, \J1987\j\b - Federal Minister for Tourism, John Brown, resigns from the ministry after admitting he misled parliament over tenders for an Expo contract."
"\BDec 01, \J1988\j\b - Lloyd Rees died (93)."
"\BDec 02, \J1989\j\b - Labor government elected in Qld after 32 years in opposition. (Wayne Goss sworn in as Premier on 7 Dec.)"
"\BDec 05, \J1989\j\b - ACT Labor government defeated on a no-confidence motion; coalition government led by Trevor Kaine takes over."
"\BDec 22, \J1989\j\b - Two tourist coaches collide on the Pacific Highway north of Kempsey, NSW; 35 killed and 39 injured."
"\BDec 28, \J1989\j\b - Earthquake strikes Newcastle, NSW, killing 13 people, injuring more than 120, and damaging many city buildings."
"\BDec 28, \J1989\j\b - û Communist Party of Australia decides to disband."
"\BDec 06, \J1990\j\b - George Herscu, former head of Hooker Corporation, found guilty of corruptly paying $100,000 to former Qld minister Russ Hinze; Alan Bond arrested in Perth on criminal charges related to his role in the \J1987\j operation to rescue Rothwells; Brian Yuill charged in Sydney with fraud as director of Spedley Securities."
"\BDec 10, \J1990\j\b - John Fairfax group placed in receivership."
"\BDec 23, \J1990\j\b - Bushfires destroy more than 20 houses around Sydney and burn at 500 locations in NSW."
"\BDec 31, \J1990\j\b - Rockhampton district declared a disaster area as residents prepare for major flooding in the aftermath of Cyclone Joy. (Floodbound in early Jan. 1991; more than 1,000 residents evacuated.)"
"\BDec 16, \J1991\j\b - Canadian media proprietor Conrad Black gains control of the John Fairfax group."
"\BDec 20, \J1991\j\b - Paul Keating replaces Bob Hawke as Prime Minister. (Hawke resigns from Parliament on 20 Feb. \J1992\j.)"
"\BDec 20, \J1991\j\b - Compass Airlines, in operation since 1 Dec. \J1990\j, collapses, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. (After resuming operation on 31 August \J1992\j, the company collapses again on 11 Mar. \J1993\j.)"
"\BDec 03, \J1992\j\b - NSW announces that no more Queen's Counsel will be appointed."
"\BDec 11, \J1993\j\b - Labor government defeated in SA election. Liberal Party's Dean Brown replaces Lynn Arnold as Premier."
"\BDec 22, \J1993\j\b - Native title legislation passed by federal parliament. (Comes into operation on 1 Dec. \J1994\j.)"
"\BDec 23, \J1993\j\b - John Elliott, former Liberal Party president and head of Elders IXL, is charged over the theft of $66.5 million in a conspiracy related to the attempted takeover of BHP by Robert Holmes α Court. (Committed for trial in Dec. \J1994\j.)"
