1979 in Australia

none December 2020 February 2012 October 2022 The following lists events that happened during 1979 in Australia. Elizabeth II Sir Zelman Cowen Malcolm Fraser 14,359,255 Neville Bonner and Harry Butler VIC, TAS, SA 1979 Incumbents thumb|upright|140px|Sir Zelman Cowen thumb|upright|140px|Malcolm Fraser Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Sir Zelman Cowen Prime Minister – Malcolm Fraser Deputy Prime Minister – Doug Anthony Opposition Leader – Bill Hayden Chief Justice – Sir Garfield Barwick State and territory leaders Premier of New South Wales – Neville Wran Opposition Leader – John Mason Premier of Queensland – Joh Bjelke-Petersen Opposition Leader – Ed Casey Premier of South Australia – Don Dunstan (until 15 February), then Des Corcoran (until 18 September), then David Tonkin Opposition Leader – David Tonkin (until 18 September), then Des Corcoran (until 2 October), then John Bannon Premier of Tasmania – Doug Lowe Opposition Leader – Max Bingham (until 7 August), then Geoff Pearsall Premier of Victoria – Rupert Hamer Opposition Leader – Frank Wilkes Premier of Western Australia – Sir Charles Court Opposition Leader – Ron Davies Chief Minister of the Northern Territory – Paul Everingham Opposition Leader – Jon Isaacs Chief Minister of Norfolk Island – David Buffett (from 10 August) Governors and administrators Governor of New South Wales – Sir Roden Cutler Governor of Queensland – Sir James Ramsay Governor of South Australia – Sir Keith Seaman Governor of Tasmania – Sir Stanley Burbury Governor of Victoria – Sir Henry Winneke Governor of Western Australia – Sir Wallace Kyle Administrator of Norfolk Island – Desmond O'Leary (until 4 September), then Peter Coleman Administrator of the Northern Territory – John England Events January 4 January — Australia's highest daily rainfall, 1,140 mm in 2 or, is recorded at Bellenden Ker Top Station, Queensland.January 2024 9 January — Deputy Prime Minister Doug Anthony signs a pact to allow uranium mining to begin at the Ranger Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory.Thomas Tony 10 January 1979 U sales: '$150m by 1980s' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-u-sales-1500m-by-1980s/137800647 The Age 1 1 January 2024 The pact gives the authority to develop the 100,000 tonne deposit to the Australian Atomic Energy Commission, Peko-Wallsend and the Electrolytic Zinc Company for a period of 21 years. 31 January — Bellenden Ker Top Station in Queensland receives the highest monthly rainfall total on record, with a total of 5,387 mm in 2 or of rain recorded.2024 Rainfall and temperature records http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records.shtml Bureau of Meteorology 1 January 2024 13 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140313040735/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/extreme/records.shtml live February 9 February – Associated Securities Limited, Australia's fourth-largest finance company, is placed into receivership. In a statement to the stock exchange, ASL directors stated that the results for the six months to 31 December had shown a loss of $2.5 million, plus an extraordinary loss of $1 million from foreign exchange movements.Haley Ken Ken Haley 10 February 1979 Probe into ASL starts https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-probe-into-asl-starts/137800972 1 January 2024 The Age 1 12 February – Harry M. Miller's Computicket theatre and sporting booking agency collapses.13 February 1979 Computicket closes its doors https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-computicket-closes-its-doors/137801235 The Age 3 1 January 2024 1 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101041858/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-computicket-closes-its-doors/137801235/ live March 9 March – The Arbitration Commission awards Australian women the right to six weeks' compulsory unpaid maternity leave with the option of extending the leave to one year.Innes Prue 10 March 1979 Commission backs maternity leave https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-commission-backs-maternity-leave/137801747 The Age 5 1 January 2024 1 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101042848/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-commission-backs-maternity-leave/137801747/ live The provisions, which will flow to all awards covering women in the private sector, will take effect on 2 April. April 4 April – Domico Speranza hijacks a Pan-Am plane at Sydney Airport for 4 1/2 hours until shot dead by police.Robertson David 5 April 1979 Man dies, shot in hijack attempt https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-man-dies-shot/137801935 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 1 January 2024 1 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101043509/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-man-dies-shot/137801935/ live 11 April – The Razorback Blockade, a truck drivers' blockade, which had disrupted the eastern states for 10 days, ends.Robertson David 12 April 1979 Trucks roll, city gets food supplies https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-trucks-roll-c/137802093 The Sydney Morning Herald 2 1 January 2024 The truck drivers had been protesting against state road taxes and low cartage rates. May 24 May – James William Miller, aged 39, is charged with the Truro murders - the murders of four young women 100 kilometres north-east of Adelaide.25 May 1979 Search continues as fifth Truro body found - Man, 39, in Adelaide court https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-search-continu/137803079 The Sydney Morning Herald 3 1 January 2024 1 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101050001/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-search-continu/137803079/ live A fifth body is found with police searching for two more bodies, bringing the number of victims to a total of seven.26 May 1979 Identity of sixth Truro victim known, police say https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-identity-of-si/137802971 The Sydney Morning Herald 3 1 January 2024 Miller is charged with murdering Veronica Knight, 18, Sylvia Michelle Pittmann, 16, Vicki May Mowell, 26, and Connie Iordanides, 16. June 8 June – Philip Silleny attempts to hijack a TAA aircraft near Brisbane but is disarmed by hostess Esme Qazim and other crew.9 June 1979 Pilot held at gunpoint on TAA plane in Brisbane https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pilot-held-at/137803813 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 Australian Associated Press/Associated Press 1 January 2024 1 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101054403/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pilot-held-at/137803813/ live 9 June – A fire at Luna Park Sydney kills seven.Molloy Paul 11 June 1979 Ghost Train toll rises to 7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ghost-train-to/137803990 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 1 January 2024 1 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101054409/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ghost-train-to/137803990/ live Four young boys, a father and his two young sons die when the fire, believed to be caused by an electrical fault, engulf the ride.12 June 1979 Ghost Train checked in 1977 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ghost-train-ch/137804044 The Sydney Morning Herald 2 1 January 2024 1 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101054401/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ghost-train-ch/137804044/ live The park is forced to close. Australia's first modern uranium mine opens at Nabarlek in Arnhem Land.12 June 1979 Aust uranium mine opens https://www.newspapers.com/article/papua-new-guinea-post-courier-aust-urani/137804128 Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 8 1 January 2024 1 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101054402/https://www.newspapers.com/article/papua-new-guinea-post-courier-aust-urani/137804128/ live A $25,000 party is held to celebrate the launch of the mine, which is also the first to open on Aboriginal tribal land. 21 June – Up to a million workers stop work across the country to protest the arrest of unionists in Western Australia for addressing a public meeting without police permission, causing public transport, industry and commercial services to be thrown into disarray.Martin Keith 21 June 1979 300,000 to strike in New South Wales https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-300000-to-str/137804626 The Sydney Morning Herald 2 1 January 2023 23 June – New South Wales Premier Neville Wran opens the Eastern Suburbs six-station railway line which runs from Sydney city to Bondi Junction.Stephens Tony 24 June 1979 Century late but Premier still says Eastward Ho! https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-century-late-b/137804244 The Sun-Herald 5 1 January 2024 1 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101054429/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-century-late-b/137804244/ live The railway line has been a source of continuing controversy since work on it began. In 1976, Neville Wran referred to the project as probably "the most monumental financial scandal" in the state's history.O'Hara John 30 June 1976 Board to consider rail line's future https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-board-to-consi/137804318 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 1 January 2024 1 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240101054413/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-board-to-consi/137804318/ live July 1 July – Commonwealth death duties are abolished. Responsibility for education in the Northern Territory is transferred from the Federal to the Northern Territory Government. 11 July – The American space station Skylab crashes in Esperance, Western Australia.Sandilands Ben Macey Richard Steketee Mike 12 July 1979 Skylab hits West Aust https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-skylab-hits-we/137805639 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 1 January 2024 19 July – The Miss Universe final is celebrated in Perth.Mayman Jan 21 July 1979 Upstaged, downtaged https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-upstaged-downstaged/138612502 The Age 3 13 January 2024 13 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240113005925/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-upstaged-downstaged/138612502/ live 20 July – Inaugural meeting of the National Farmers' Federation.Nasht Simon 20 July 1979 A power take-off https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-a-power-take-off/138613087 The Age 9 13 January 2024 13 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240113005923/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-a-power-take-off/138613087/ live 24 July – 14 coal miners die in a lethal gas explosion at Appin Colliery in New South Wales.O'Donnell Michael Molloy Paul Brooks Geraldine 26 July 1979 All 14 bodies out of Appin disaster pit; Appin: a town of tired, haggard faces https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-all-14-bodies/138613342 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 13 January 2024 13 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240113005928/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-all-14-bodies/138613342/ live August 29 August – Sydney's new heliport at Darling Harbour is officially opened by Neville Wran.30 August 1979 Heliport opened https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-heliport-opene/138613783 The Sydney Morning Herald 8 13 January 2024 13 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240113012317/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-heliport-opene/138613783/ live 30 August – Six people die when a Cessna 206 plane crashes near Shepparton, Victoria.Murdoch Lindsay Comerford Damien 31 August 1979 Plane crash kills six https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-plane-crash-kills-six/138613917 The Age 1 13 January 2024 13 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240113010803/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-plane-crash-kills-six/138613917/ live September 22 September – The standing conference of Canonical Orthodox churches in Australia is established.January 2024 26 September – New South Wales Attorney-General Frank Walker tables the 960-page Finnane Report in state parliament.Kruger Andrew Bowers Peter Ellercamp Paul 27 September 1979 2am: Sinclair resigns https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sinclair-resig/138631927 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 13 January 2024 The New South Wales Government gags Opposition calls for a debate report only 30 minutes after it is tabled. 27 September – Australia announces the abolition of traditional trade preferences with Britain.January 2024 Ian Sinclair resigns as Federal Primary Industry Minister following allegations that he forged his father's signature on his family's annual returns. According to the Finnane Report tabled in State Parliament, Ian Sinclair was dishonest in arranging loans from a group of companies of which he was "de facto managing director" to the family pastoral company. Sinclair had denied the allegations the day before. October 7 October – The Australia Refugee Advisory Council is established.8 October 1979 Govt refugee body set up https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-govt-refugee-b/138614812 The Sydney Morning Herald 3 13 January 2024 14 October – Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) President Bob Hawke wins preselection for the safe ALP federal seat of Wills, making way for him to enter federal politics.Ballantyne Tom 15 October 1979 Hawke wins selection, but MP loses seat https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hawke-wins-sel/138614513 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 13 January 2024 Hawke defeated the Socialist Left candidate Gerry Hand winning 38 votes from the 70-member selection panel. 19 October – The Australian Federal Police is established under the command of Colin Woods.19 October 1979 Federal police force 'change for better' for ACT https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110606797 The Canberra Times 3 13 January 2024 15 July 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240715083914/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110606797 live 20 October – Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser proclaims the first section of the Great Barrier Reef (the Capricornia section) a national park, making it the third Australian national park to be declared this year.Kruger Andrew 22 October 1979 First stage of Barrier Reef park declared https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-first-stage-of/138617324 The Sydney Morning Herald 3 13 January 2024 13 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240113022412/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-first-stage-of/138617324/ live Malcolm Fraser also announces the allocation of $300,000 to research projects to be set up in the region to increase the Federal Government's knowledge of this area. November 5 November – The first New South Wales Lotto draw takes place. No-one chose the six winning numbers in the draw, so only half of the first prize – $193,576 – will be divided among the five members of the in the Money syndicate. 6 November – The Royal Commission into Drug Trafficking (Woodward Royal Commission) reports to the New South Wales Parliament, recommending increased penalties and no concessions for soft drugs. 30 November – The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), at a meeting of 24 major unions, rejects proposals to block the mining export of uranium. December 16 December – Sunday trading in Sydney public bars begins. Arts and literature 1979 in Australian literature Wes Walters wins the Archibald Prize for his portrait of Philip Adams David Ireland's novel A Woman of the Future wins the Miles Franklin Award Film My Brilliant Career, directed by Gillian Armstrong, is released Mad Max Television 11 February – The Australian 60 Minutes begins on the Nine Network.11 February 1979 Advertisement: 60 Minutes premiere https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-premiere-tonig/138632195 The Sydney Morning Herald 86 13 January 2024 The National Nine Network and BHP proudly present 60 Minutes 13 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240113085251/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-premiere-tonig/138632195/ live 27 February – Prisoner makes its debut on the 0–10 Network.Courtis Brian 27 February 1979 Arresting view of the inside https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-arresting-view-of-the-inside/138632255 The Age 2 13 January 2024 13 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240113085250/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-arresting-view-of-the-inside/138632255/ live Sport 14 January – Tasmania beats Western Australia by 47 runs to win their first Gillette Cup title. 25 March – Australia is represented by nine long-distance runners (all men), including Robert de Castella, at the seventh IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Limerick, Ireland. Steve Austin is Australia's best finisher, claiming the 29th spot (38:36.0) in the race over 12 kilometres. 28 April – Collingwood beat a sixty-year-old record for the greatest VFL winning margin when they demoralise St Kilda by 178 points, beating South Melbourne's 171-point margin also against St Kilda, from 1919. 28 July – Fitzroy set a still-standing record winning margin when they beat Melbourne by 190 points at VFL Park. Their score of 36.22 (238) was a record until 1992. 12 August – Robert de Castella wins the men's national marathon title, clocking 2:13:23 in Perth. 22 September: The 1979 NSWRFL season culminates in minor premiers St. George's 17–13 victory over Canterbury-Bankstown in the Grand Final. North Sydney finish in last position, claiming the wooden spoon. 29 September Carlton Football Club wins the 1979 VFL Grand Final over Collingwood. 6 November – Hyperno wins the Melbourne Cup Victoria wins the Sheffield Shield Bumblebee IV takes line honours in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Screw Loose is the handicap winner England defeats Australia 5–1 in The Ashes Australia wins the Admiral's Cup Jack Newton wins the Australian Open golf championship The National Basketball League is founded Births October 2022 1 January – Brody Dalle, singer-songwriter 2 January – Robert Newbery, diver 3 January – Brooke Morrison, field hockey striker 6 January – Adrian Rainey, rugby league player February 12 – Jesse Spencer, actor and musician 15 February – James Harvey, basketball player 4 March – Geoff Huegill, swimmer 12 March – Jamie Dwyer, field hockey forward 16 March – Suzie Faulkner, field hockey striker 3 April – Sasa Ognenovski, Footballer 4 April Heath Ledger, actor (died 2008) Rebecca Stoyel, gymnast 9 April – Graeme Brown, cyclist 11 April – Danielle de Niese, opera singer 18 April – Zain Wright, field hockey midfielder 22 April – Daniel Johns, musician 4 June – Jade MacRae, singer 5 June – Matthew Scarlett, footballer and coach 7 June – Anna Torv, actress 11 June – Amy Duggan, Australian footballer and journalist 7 July – Loudy Tourky, diver 10 July – Russell Hinder, basketball player 15 July – Travis Fimmel, actor and model 24 July – Rose Byrne, actress 3 August – Nathan Crosswell, basketball player 9 August – Michael Kingma, basketball player 14 August – Paul Burgess, pole vaulter 16 August Ian Moran, cricketer Adam Darragh, basketball player 23 August – Lance Whitnall, Australian Rules footballer 12 September – Aaron Hopkins, field hockey defender 17 September – Chris Minns, politician 20 September – Damien Ryan, basketball player 29 September – Nathan Foley, singer (Hi 5) 11 October – Ryan Harris, cricketer 20 October – Tim Neesham, water polo player 24 October – Matthew Hadgraft, cabaret artist 6 November – Peter Ceawford, basketball player 9 November – Oliver Ackland, actor 12 November Chad Cornes, footballer Matt Stevic, footballer and umpire 16 November – Salli Wills, gymnast 6 December – Tim Cahill, soccer player 15 December – Sam Cawthorn, motivational speaker, author & entrepreneur 21 December – Stephen Lambert, field hockey goalkeeper Deaths 7 January – Ivan Stedman, Olympic swimmer (b. 1895)https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/stedman-ivan-cuthbert-11754 Australian Dictionary of Biography Stedman, Ivan Cuthbert (1895–1979) Harry Gordon 2002 John Ritchie Diane Langmore 16 Melbourne University Press 4 January 2022 15 July 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240715084007/https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/stedman-ivan-cuthbert-11754 live 15 April – Sir David Brand, 19th Premier of Western Australia (b. 1912)16 April 1979 Sir David, a man of 'foresight and drive' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sir-david-a-m/138693673 The Sydney Morning Herald 8 14 January 2024 15 July 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240715083955/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sir-david-a-m/138693673/ live 16 April – Frank Stewart, New South Wales politician and rugby league footballer (b. 1923)17 April 1979 Frank Stewart, MP, 'dedicated Labor man' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-frank-stewart/138693893 The Sydney Morning Herald 8 14 January 2024 14 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240114034939/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-frank-stewart/138693893/ live 21 May – Walter Skelton, New South Wales politician (b. 1883)23 May 1979 SKELTON, Walter Peden Joyce MBE https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-skelton-water/138694115 The Sydney Morning Herald 25 14 January 2024 4 June – Elena Domenica Rubeo, Australian community worker and businessperson (b. 1896)http://dspace.flinders.edu.au/xmlui/bitstream/2328/1029/1/OconnorRegenSpirit04.pdf Helping People Has Been My Happiness: The Contribution of Elena Rubeo to the Italian Community in South Australia Desmond O'Connor 29 December 2012 15 July 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240715083928/http://dspace.flinders.edu.au/xmlui/bitstream/2328/1029/1/OconnorRegenSpirit04.pdf live 6 June – Ion Idriess, author (b. 1889)7 June 1979 Ion Idriess: he sold 3m books https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ion-idriess-h/138694313 The Sydney Morning Herald 4 14 January 2024 14 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240114034333/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ion-idriess-h/138694313/ live 30 June – Jim Southee, New South Wales politician (b. 1902)2 July 1979 SOUTHEE, James Bernard https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-southee-james/138694487 The Sydney Morning Herald 24 14 January 2024 14 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240114034940/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-southee-james/138694487/ live 1 September – Mick Cronin, Australian rules footballer and television commentator (b. 1911)January 2024 14 November – Amelia Best, politician (b. 1900)besta521 1900 25 August 2022 21 November – Marie Byles, solicitor and conservationist (b. 1900)https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/byles-marie-beuzeville-9652 https://web.archive.org/web/20150411235131/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/byles-marie-beuzeville-9652 live 2015-04-11 Biography – Marie Beuzeville Byles – Australian Dictionary of Biography 2015-04-11 2017-10-22 21 December – Eric Joseph Wright, medical administrator and public servant (b. 1912)January 2024 See also 1979 in Australian television List of Australian films of 1979 References 1979 in yes Australia Category:Years of the 20th century in Australia