1947 in Australia

none February 2020 February 2012 The following lists events that happened during 1947 in Australia. George VI Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, then William McKell Ben Chifley 7,579,358 VIC, NSW, QLD, WA, SA 1947 Incumbents thumb|upright|140px|Ben Chifley Monarch – George VI Governor-General – Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (until 11 March), then William McKell Prime Minister – Ben Chifley Chief Justice – Sir John Latham State Premiers Premier of New South Wales – William McKell (until 6 February), then James McGirr Premier of Queensland – Ned Hanlon Premier of South Australia – Thomas Playford IV Premier of Tasmania – Robert Cosgrove (until 18 December), then Edward Brooker Premier of Victoria – John Cain (until 20 November), then Thomas Hollway Premier of Western Australia – Frank Wise (until 1 April), then Ross McLarty State Governors Governor of New South Wales – Sir John Northcott Governor of Queensland – Sir John Lavarack Governor of South Australia – Sir Charles Norrie Governor of Tasmania – Sir Hugh Binney Governor of Victoria – Sir Winston Dugan Governor of Western Australia – none appointed Events 1 January – A massive hailstorm strikes Sydney, causing hundreds of injuries and an estimated £1 million damage.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78134259 Sydney's Hail Storm. The Border Watch Mount Gambier, SA 4 January 1947 15 March 2012 7 National Library of Australia 6 February – William McKell stands down as Premier of New South Wales following royal approval of his appointment as Governor-General. The Labor Party elects James McGirr as its leader and the new Premier.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18013451 MR. J. McGIRR NEW PREMIER. The Sydney Morning Herald 6 February 1947 14 March 2012 1 National Library of Australia 15 March – A state election is held in Western Australia. The Labor government of Frank Wise is defeated by the Liberal/Country coalition led by Ross McLarty.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article67358755 Mr. Wise Resigns. Geraldton Guardian and Express WA 1 April 1947 14 March 2012 5 National Library of Australia 3 May – A state election is held in Queensland. Ned Hanlon's Labor government is returned for its sixth term in government.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55885525 LOSS OF 2 SEATS IN Q' LAND. The Mail Adelaide 3 May 1947 14 March 2012 1 National Library of Australia 1 April – The Woomera rocket range is established in South Australia as a testing site for British and Australian missiles. 5 May – A train derails in the Camp Mountain rail accident in Queensland, killing 16 people. 15–17 June – Major flooding in Tasmania. 30 June – The Australian government assumes control of Qantas.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2719023 QANTAS AIRWAYS TAKEN OVER. The Canberra Times ACT 3 July 1947 11 March 2012 6 National Library of Australia 1 July – Real estate company L. J. Hooker is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. 5 August – Australia becomes a member of the International Monetary Fund. 30 August – The Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration grants workers a 40-hour week. 8 November – A state election is held in Victoria, after the upper house blocks supply.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2726430 SUPPLY REFUSED TO VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT. The Canberra Times 2 October 1947 11 March 2012 1 National Library of Australia The Labor minority government of John Cain is defeated by a Liberal–Country coalition led by Thomas Hollway.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59468754 'I HAVE BEEN DEFEATED'—CAIN LABOR LANDSLIDE IN VICTORIAN ELECTION. The Sunday Times Perth 9 November 1947 11 March 2012 1 National Library of Australia 18 November – Australia reduces its trade tariffs after ratifying the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in Geneva. 18 December – Robert Cosgrove resigns as Premier of Tasmania after being indicted on charges of bribery and corruption. Edward Brooker is sworn in as his replacement the next day.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2733224 DEVELOPMENTS IN TASMANIAN POLITICS. The Canberra Times ACT 19 December 1947 14 March 2012 4 National Library of Australia 26 December – Heard Island and McDonald Islands in Antarctica are transferred from British control to Australian territories. Arts and literature 1947 in Australian literature 17 January – William Dargie wins the Archibald Prize with his portrait of Marcus Clarke.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22403009 ARCHIBALD PRIZE TO VICTORIA. The Argus Melbourne 18 January 1947 14 March 2012 4 National Library of Australia Sport 30 August – Fred Fanning, in his last league match, kicks a VFL/AFL record of eighteen goals against St. Kilda"Most Goals in a Game" 20 September – Balmain win the 1947 NSWRFL season, claiming their tenth title after defeating minor premiers Canterbury-Bankstown 13–9. The newly formed Parramatta team finish in last place, claiming the wooden spoon. 27 September – Carlton 13.8 (86) defeats Essendon 11.19 85 to win the 51st VFL Premiership in the 1947 VFL Grand Final. 4 November – Hiraji wins the Melbourne Cup.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article69029995 HIRAJI WINS MELBOURNE CUP. The Advocate Burnie, Tas. 6 November 1947 14 March 2012 3 National Library of Australia 30 December – Morna takes line honours and Westward wins on handicap in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49577470 MORNA YACHT VICTORY. The Barrier Miner Broken Hill, NSW 31 December 1947 14 March 2012 1 National Library of Australia The Parramatta rugby league club is formed in Sydney's West. The Manly-Warringah club is also formed in the Northern Beaches. Births 10 January David Irvine, diplomat, Director-General of ASIS and ASIO (died 2022) Stevie Wright, English-Australian singer-songwriter (died 2015) 29 January – Lorraine Landon, basketball administrator, former player and coachLorraine Landon OAM: Admin – Basketball https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/lorraine-landon/ Sports Australia Hall of Fame 18 January 2021 8 February – Kerrie Biddell, singer and pianist (died 2014) 8 April – Fay Miller, politician (died 2023) 15 May – Graeham Goble, musician 19 May – David Helfgott, concert pianist 29 May – Stan Zemanek, Australian radio broadcaster (died 2007) 3 June – Mike Burgmann, racing driver and accountant (died 1986) 19 June – James Mason, field hockey player 23 June – Bryan Brown, actor 25 June – Robert Percy, Australian rules footballer 14 July – John Blackman, radio and television presenter (died 2024) 16 July – Don Burke, Television presenter, television producer, author, and horticulturist 28 July – Peter Cosgrove, Chief of the Defence Force (2002–05) 5 August – Angry Anderson, singer and actor (died 2026) 28 August – Jennie George, politician and trade unionist 5 September – Bruce Yardley, Test cricketer (died 2019) 25 September – Barrie Robran, Australian rules footballer (died 2025)Radio host rushes off air after death of iconic family member https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/barrie-robran-dies-aged-77-as-media-personality-niece-jade-robran-rushes-off-fiveaa-radio-show-c-19371792 7NEWS 16 July 2025 en-AU 16 July 2025 28 September – Bob Carr, Premier of New South Wales (1995–2005); Senator and Minister for Foreign Affairs (2012–13) 2 November – David Ahern, composer (died 1988) 4 November – Rod Marsh, cricketer (died 2022) 28 December Dick Diamonde, bass guitarist (died 2024) Andrew Olle, television and radio broadcaster (died 1995) Deaths 100px|thumb|Sir Joseph Cook 16 January – Traugott Bernhard Zwar, academic, army medical officer and surgeon (b. 1876) 27 February – Charles Hoadley, geologist (b. 1887) 26 April – Hector Lamond, New South Wales politician (b. 1865) 27 April Robert Barr, Victorian politician (born in the United Kingdom) (b. 1862) Roland Green, New South Wales politician (b. 1885) 9 May – Hugh de Largie, Western Australian politician (born in the United Kingdom) (b. 1859) 16 May – William McCormack, 22nd Premier of Queensland (b. 1879) 25 May – Rupert Bunny, painter (b. 1864) 28 May – Walter Duncan, New South Wales politician (b. 1883) 1 July – E. Harold Davies, musician, conductor and teacher (born in the United Kingdom) (b. 1867) 30 July – Sir Joseph Cook, 6th Prime Minister of Australia (b. 1860) 28 August – Matthew Reid, Queensland politician (born in the United Kingdom) (b. 1856) 14 September – John Feetham, Anglican bishop (born in the United Kingdom) (b. 1873) 26 October – Jack Bailey, New South Wales politician (b. 1871) 19 December – Arthur Wilson, Australian rules footballer, gynaecologist and obstetrician (b. 1888) See also List of Australian films of the 1940s References 1947 in yes Australia Category:Years of the 20th century in Australia