1989 in Australia

none March 2020 February 2012 The following lists events that happened during 1989 in Australia. Elizabeth II Sir Ninian Stephen, then Bill Hayden Bob Hawke 16,814,416 WA, ACT, TAS, SA, QLD 1989 Incumbents horizontal right center 280 Sir Ninian Stephen.jpg Sir Ninian Stephen Bill Hayden on 29.5.1990.jpg Bill Hayden thumb|upright|140px|Bob Hawke Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Sir Ninian Stephen (until 16 February), then Bill Hayden Prime Minister – Bob Hawke Deputy Prime Minister – Lionel Bowen Opposition Leader – John Howard (until 9 May), then Andrew Peacock Chief Justice – Sir Anthony Mason State and territory leaders Premier of New South Wales – Nick Greiner Opposition Leader – Bob Carr Premier of Queensland – Mike Ahern (until 25 September), then Russell Cooper (until 7 December), then Wayne Goss Opposition Leader – Wayne Goss (until 7 December), then Russell Cooper Premier of South Australia – John Bannon Opposition Leader – John Olsen Premier of Tasmania – Robin Gray (until 29 June), then Michael Field Opposition Leader – Michael Field (until 29 June), then Robin Gray Premier of Victoria – John Cain Jr. Opposition Leader – Jeff Kennett (until 23 May), then Alan Brown Premier of Western Australia – Peter Dowding Opposition Leader – Barry MacKinnon Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory – Rosemary Follett (from 11 May, until 5 December), then Trevor Kaine Opposition Leader – Trevor Kaine (from 11 May, until 5 December), then Rosemary Follett Chief Minister of the Northern Territory – Marshall Perron Opposition Leader – Terry Smith President of the Legislative Assembly of Norfolk Island – John Brown (until 22 May), then David Buffett Governors and administrators Governor of New South Wales – Sir James Rowland (until 20 January), then Sir David Martin Governor of Queensland – Sir Walter Campbell Governor of South Australia – Sir Donald Dunstan Governor of Tasmania – Sir Phillip Bennett Governor of Victoria – Davis McCaughey Governor of Western Australia – Gordon Reid (until 30 September) Administrator of Norfolk Island – William Campbell (until 12 April), then Herbert MacDonald Administrator of the Northern Territory – Eric Johnston (until 1 July), then James Muirhead Events January 1 January – HECS is introduced with the commencement of the Higher Education Funding Act 1988.Angus Nicole 9 January 1989 Students face a testing time https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-students-face/138080972 The Sydney Morning Herald 50 5 January 2024 5 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240105093955/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-students-face/138080972/ live 10 January – Assistant Australian Federal Police commissioner Colin Winchester is shot dead in the driveway of his Canberra home by a sniper, later identified as David Harold Eastman.Campbell Rod Whitfield Kathryn Zakharov Jeannie Waterford Jack 11 January 1989 Police chief shot dead https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120903509 The Canberra Times 1–2 5 January 2024 5 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240105093829/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120903509 liveSkehan Craig Brough Jodie 4 November 1995 Winchester killing: Eastman convicted https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-winchester-kil/138081461 The Sydney Morning Herald 4 5 January 2024 5 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240105093830/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-winchester-kil/138081461/ live The Tasmanian Parliament is recalled to debate guidelines for the Wesley Vale pulp mill.January 2024 31 January – Victorian Deputy Premier Robert Fordham resigns under pressure from the factions and Opposition over his handling of the VEDC fiasco.Dixon Robyn Reddy Muriel 1 February 1989 Fordham falls, Left rises https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-fordham-falls-left-rises/138081617 The Age 1 5 January 2024 5 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240105093830/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-fordham-falls-left-rises/138081617/ live Roger Pescott narrowly defeats Alan Stockdale in the final ballot for the position of deputy.January 2024 February 4 February – The 1989 Western Australian state election is held. Peter Dowding returns as Premier when the Labor Party wins 31 seats albeit with a 10% fall in votes.Jones Bruce 5 February 1989 Huge swing against Labor https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-huge-swing-aga/138081960 The Sun-Herald 1 5 January 2024 5 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240105095127/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-huge-swing-aga/138081960/ live 7 February – Joan Kirner becomes Victoria's (and Australia's) first female deputy premier after the resignation of Robert Fordham over the VEDC (Victorian Economic Development Corporation) crisis.Dixon Robyn 8 February 1989 No plans to be premier, says Kirner https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-no-plans-to-be-premier-says-kir/138081929 The Age 3 5 January 2024 5 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240105095121/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-no-plans-to-be-premier-says-kir/138081929/ live March 1 March – The Industrial Relations Commission replaces the Australian Conciliation & Arbitration Commission. 4 March – The first Australian Capital Territory election is held.Cumming Fia 5 March 1989 ACT poll fracture https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120914460 The Canberra Times 1 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106020757/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120914460 live 20 March – Prime Minister Bob Hawke weeps on national television, as he admits marital infidelity.Stephens Tony 21 March 1989 Hawke in tears: how I cheated on Hazel https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hawke-in-tears/138082086 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 5 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106023404/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hawke-in-tears/138082086/ live 21 March – Federal Cabinet decides to develop a third runway at Sydney's congested airport, leading to outraged protests from residents' groups and the sudden resignation from the Federal Ministry of Gary Punch whose marginal electorate of Barton bordered the airport.Clark Pilita Cockburn Milton Moore Matthew 22 March 1989 Runway 3: Cabinet says yes https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-runway-3-cabi/138133258 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 6 January 2024Lyons John 21 March 1989 Noise, danger, land prices have Boy Minister jittery https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-noise-danger/138134252 The Sydney Morning Herald 4 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106024557/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-noise-danger/138134252/ liveChamberlin Paul 23 March 1989 Councils and residents ready to take fight to the High Court https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-councils-and-r/138134092 The Sydney Morning Herald 11 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106025137/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-councils-and-r/138134092/ liveQuiddington Peter 23 March 1989 Ahh, for the days of peace and quiet https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ahh-for-the-d/138133944 The Sydney Morning Herald 11 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106030124/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ahh-for-the-d/138133944/ liveClark Pilita Cockburn Milton 29 March 1989 Scramble to take over from Punch https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-scramble-to-ta/138133486 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106024558/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-scramble-to-ta/138133486/ live 22 March – The Victorian Division of the National Safety Council collapses with debts of $235 million.Willox Innes Wilson David Robinson Paul Bottom Bob 25 March 1989 Safety council faces $235 loss https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-safety-council-faces-235m-loss/138132873 The Age 1 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106024542/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-safety-council-faces-235m-loss/138132873/ live April 5 April – CEO of the Victorian Division of the National Safety Council John Friedrichs is captured after 17 days on the run.Wilson David Bottom Bob Willox Innes Doogue Edmund Rau Christine Graham Duncan 6 April 1989 Runaway Friedrich grabbed https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-runaway-friedrich-grabbed/138132295 The Age 1 6 January 2024 15 April – John Anderson wins the 1989 Gwydir by-election, unopposed by either Labor or Liberal, after the retirement of National Party Deputy Leader Ralph Hunt.16 April 1989 As expected https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-as-expected/138134614 The Sydney Morning Herald 2 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106034921/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-as-expected/138134614/ live Apart from Anderson, two far-right independent candidates are the only people to contest the by-election.Jones Bruce 23 April 1989 Right-wing extremists set alarms ringing https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-right-wing-ext/138136076 The Sydney Morning Herald 42 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106033945/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-right-wing-ext/138136076/ live 27 April – A dawn raid by the Tactical Response Group kills innocent Aboriginal Redfern resident David Gundy and arouses community anger.Zadel Sonya 28 April 1989 'Uptight' police kill man in raid https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-uptight-poli/138136495 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106033944/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-uptight-poli/138136495/ liveHewett Tony 28 April 1989 News that no-one wanted to pass on https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-news-that-no-o/138136638 The Sydney Morning Herald 4 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106033946/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-news-that-no-o/138136638/ live An inquiry into Gundy's death adds to already existing distrust of the police.Fife-Yeomans Janet 24 May 1990 Gundy death inquiry allowed https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-gundy-death-in/138137150 The Sydney Morning Herald 7 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106033941/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-gundy-death-in/138137150/ liveGarcia Hewett Tony 6 April 1991 Payout for Gundy family https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-payout-for-gun/138137469 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106033943/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-payout-for-gun/138137469/ liveGarcia Luis M Cornwall Deborah 6 April 1991 David Gundy: police victim https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-david-gundy-p/138137486 The Sydney Morning Herald 7 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106033940/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-david-gundy-p/138137486/ live May 6 May – Liberal Ian Macphee loses pre-selection for his seat of Goldstein in favour of hardliner David Kemp, amid accusations of branch-stacking and foul play.Jones Bruce 7 May 1989 Libs in turmoil as Macphee dumped https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-libs-in-turmoi/138138265 The Sun-Herald 3 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106041948/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-libs-in-turmoi/138138265/ live 9 May – Andrew Peacock deposes John Howard as Federal Opposition Leader and Leader of the Liberal Party by a clear vote of 44 to 27.Cockburn Milton Ramsay Alan Walsh Max 10 May 1989 The Coalition Coup: Libs go back to the future https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-the-coalition/133080120 The Sydney Morning Herald 6 January 2024 Senator Fred Chaney is elected as Deputy Leader.Grattan Michelle 10 May 1989 Coalition dumps its leaders https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-coalition-dumps-its-leaders/138138580 The Age 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106035612/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-coalition-dumps-its-leaders/138138580/ live Charles Blunt replaces Ian Sinclair as National Party of Australia Leader in a spill precipitated by tensions over deregulation of the wheat industry.Metherell Mark 10 May 1989 There was no collusion, says Blunt https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-there-was-no-collusion-says-blu/138147032 The Age 6 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106083432/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-there-was-no-collusion-says-blu/138147032/ livePeake Ross 11 May 1989 Sinclair accuses his NP colleagues of disloyalty https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-sinclair-accuses-his-np-colleagu/138146993 The Age 15 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106083413/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-sinclair-accuses-his-np-colleagu/138146993/ live Serafettin Huseyin kidnaps a group of kindergarten children, douses them in petrol and holds them hostage in a toilet cubicle at the Manresa Kindergarten in Hawthorn.Willox Innes Boreham Gareth 10 May 1989 Man in court over kinder siege https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-man-in-court-over-kinder-siege/138139938 The Age 1 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106050710/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-man-in-court-over-kinder-siege/138139938/ liveGregory Peter 17 February 1990 Huseyin was determined to inflict a taste of his 'suffering' on other https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-huseyin-was-determined-to-inflic/138140490 The Age 22 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106043550/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-huseyin-was-determined-to-inflic/138140490/ live After a ten-day trial in February 1990, Huseyin is found guilty by a jury of 37 charges including 23 of false imprisonment.Gregory Peter 14 February 1990 Kindergarten siege man convicted https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kindergarten-siege-man-convicted/138139161 The Age 5 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106045053/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kindergarten-siege-man-convicted/138139161/ live He is subsequently sentenced to 21 years in prison, although he unsuccessfully attempts to have the conviction overturned.Gregory Peter 2 August 1990 Siege man fails to have conviction overturned https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-siege-man-fails-to-have-convicti/138138988 The Age 16 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106045207/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-siege-man-fails-to-have-convicti/138138988/ live 11 May – The ACT Legislative Assembly meets for the first time. In the Harris-Daishowa affair, state Australian Labor Party General Secretary Stephen Loosley is convicted of not declaring a $10,000 donation from the wood chipping company.Turner Paulene 12 May 1989 Loosley to appeal against fine https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-loosley-to-app/138147132 The Sydney Morning Herald 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106083436/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-loosley-to-app/138147132/ live 13 May – Liberal candidate Robin Gray wins the 1989 Tasmanian state election. The Liberal Party secures 46.9% of the vote, while the Labor Party secures 34.7% and the Green Independents 17.1%.Mitchell Alex 14 May 1989 Green vote hits Libs in Tasmania - but strong rebuff for ALP https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-green-vote-hit/138147859 The Sun-Herald 1 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106101356/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-green-vote-hit/138147859/ live Queensland National Party MP Santo Santoro wins the 1989 Merthyr state by-election.14 May 1989 Brisbane poll https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-brisbane-poll/138147877 The Sun-Herald 1 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106101355/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-brisbane-poll/138147877/ live 15 May – Australia's first private tertiary institution, Bond University, opens on the Gold Coast.16 May 1989 University here to say, says Bond https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-university-here-to-stay-says-bo/138147181 The Age 26 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106083435/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-university-here-to-stay-says-bo/138147181/ live 16 May – Plotters of the Liberal leadership coup appear on the ABC TV's Four Corners hindering Andrew Peacock's attempts to unify the party.17 May 1989 Peacock blasts 'stupid backers' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-peacock-blasts/138147277 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106083259/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-peacock-blasts/138147277/ live 18 May – At the Premiers' Conference, the Commonwealth cuts $550 million from payments, grants and loans to the states. 23 May – Victorian Liberal Leader Jeff Kennett is replaced by Alan Brown in the fifth challenge to his leadership since 1982.Murphy Damien 24 May 1989 Libs give Brown the reins https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-libs-give-brown-the-reins/138147932 The Age 6 January 2024 29 May – The Australian Labor Party in Tasmania signs the Labor–Green Accord with the Tasmanian Greens to form government.Darby Andrew 30 May 1989 Accord a first, says green leader https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-accord-a-first-says-green-leade/138147906 The Age 16 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106100727/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-accord-a-first-says-green-leade/138147906/ live 30 May – Ananda Marga member Tim Anderson is arrested on charges related to the 1978 Hilton bombing.Harvey Sandra 31 May 1989 Hilton bomb charge – 11 years later https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hilton-bomb-ch/138148637 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 6 January 2024 6 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240106104503/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hilton-bomb-ch/138148637/ live June 23 June – Vacancies caused by the departure to federal politics of New South Wales MPs Laurie Brereton, Laurie Ferguson and Janice Crosio see Labor retain the seats of Heffron, Granville and Smithfield. July 3 July – Findings from the Fitzgerald Inquiry are released in Queensland. 16 July – The Victorian state Australian Labor Party conference chooses Jenny Doran as its first female President. July - Interest rates on home mortgages reach 17%. August 9 August – The Victorian Government releases its Budget, proposing further savage cuts to the public sector due to the decreasing amount of Commonwealth funding available. 13 August – Thirteen people die in a hot air balloon accident near Alice Springs, Northern Territory. 22 August – The damaging 2-month airline pilots' strike over a 30% pay rise begins in earnest. Prime Minister Bob Hawke makes a crusade of resisting the claim. 23 August – All of Australia's 1,645 domestic airline pilots resign over an airline's move to sack and sue them over a dispute, following a strike. September 17 September – Six people die in the Downunder Hostel fire in Sydney's Kings Cross. 22 September – Queensland Emergency and Administrative Services Minister Russell Cooper becomes Queensland Premier after beating Mike Ahern in his second leadership attempt. Bill Gunn remains Deputy Premier. October 11 October – Media magnate Rupert Murdoch criticises Andrew Peacock as having a poor standing as Opposition Leader. 17 October – New South Wales Premier Nick Greiner announces a Royal Commission under Mr. Justice Lee to investigate the case of Police Chief Superintendent Harry Blackburn who had been arrested and charged with sexual offences allegedly committed over a 20-year period. After several months, it was found that he had no case to answer. 20 October – Grafton bus crash – 21 people are killed and 22 are injured when a tourist bus collides with a semi-trailer on the Pacific Highway near Grafton. 22 October – The first Pride March is held at Parliament House, Perth as a rally in support of homosexual law reform (currently being debated in the West Australian Parliament). 25 October – In response to the Fitzgerald Inquiry recommendations, the Queensland Government establishes two new bodies - the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) to be headed by former NCA Commissioner Sir Max Bingham and the Electoral and Administrative Review Commission (EARC) under Tom Sherman. November 10 November – Gaby Kennard becomes the first Australian woman to fly non-stop around the world. 25 November – Elections in South Australia narrowly return the Labor government of John Bannon to power. December 2 December – The 1989 Queensland state election is held. After 32 years in power, 19 of those under Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, the National Party government is voted out of office in Queensland amid widespread allegations of corruption & is replaced by the Australian Labor Party. led by Wayne Goss. The Labor Party wins 54 seats with 50.3% of the vote. The Nationals retain 26 seats with 24.1% of the vote while the Liberal Party wins only 9 seats with 21.1% of the vote. 5 December – Five former Queensland ministers are charged with misuse of public money. Special prosecutor Doug Drummond, QC, had summonses issued against Don Lane, Brian Austin, Ivan Gibbs, Geoff Muntz and Leisha Harvey. 7 December – The Law Reform (Decriminalisation of Sodomy) Act 1989, decriminalising private sexual acts between two people of the same sex in Western Australia, is passed by the West Australian Parliament (going into effect in March 1990). 22 December – Kempsey bus crash – Two tourist coaches collide on the Pacific Highway north of Kempsey, New South Wales, 35 are killed and 39 injured. Both the Grafton and Kempsey bus crashes led to calls to make the Pacific Highway dual carriageway. One of the few successful Australian Democrats Bills is passed through the House of Representatives on the voices. It outlaws the advertising of tobacco products in the print media. 25 December – A savage storm rips through Brisbane and Redcliffe, leaving a $5 million trail of destruction. Two people are killed, around 1,000 homes are damaged and about 4,500 homes suffer loss of electric power. 28 December – A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hits Newcastle, New South Wales, killing 13 people. Unknown dates The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is established in New South Wales. Western Australia decriminalises homosexual acts between consenting adults. Alan Bond's Bond Corporation goes into receivership with the largest debt in Australian history. Arrow Research Corporation established. Arts and literature 1989 in Australian literature Peter Carey's novel Oscar and Lucinda wins the Miles Franklin Award Film Dead Calm The Delinquents Sweetie Television January – Young Talent Time is cancelled before the new series goes to air. 31 March – Phase 1 of Aggregation of television services occurs in Southern NSW, with WIN Television becoming a regional Nine Network affiliate, Prime Television becoming the Seven Network affiliate & Capital Television (now Southern Cross Ten) becoming the Network Ten affiliate. 12 April – Fast Forward premieres in Australia (1989–1992). June – Neighbours introduces a new look theme song. The theme is sung by Barry Crocker when it lasted until the end of 1994. July – Bob Shanks takes over as managing director of Network Ten due to ailing ratings & totally revamps the network, giving it the name 10 TV Australia as well as introducing a new lineup with increased game show content. Most of the new shows are axed by the end of the year. August – Acropolis Now premieres in Australia (1989–1992). September – Network Ten is sold to Steve Cosser, head of Broadcom Australia, for $22 million. 31 December – Phase 2 of Aggregation of Television services occurs in Orange & Wagga Wagga, with aggregation occurring in Wollongong & Canberra in March The Big Gig premieres in Australia (1989–1992). Sport 13 March – NSWRL unveils massive advertising campaign featuring rock legend Tina Turner singing What You Get is What You See. 17 March – First day of the Australian Track & Field Championships for the 1988–1989 season, which are held at the QEII Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland. 23 July – Bradley Camp wins the men's national marathon title, clocking 2:10:10 in Brisbane, while Jan Federick claims the women's title in 2:51:30. 11 August – Canterbury Bulldogs & Canberra Raiders meet at the WACA Ground in Perth in the first NSWRL match played outside the eastern states. On the same day, it is announced that the VFL will become known as the AFL from next season. 13 August – Marconi Fairfield win the NSL with a 2–0 victory over Sydney Olympic, in the last season to be played in traditional Winter format. 24 September – Canberra Raiders upset Balmain Tigers 19–14 in extra time at the Sydney Football Stadium (now Aussie Stadium) to win one of the most dramatic & exciting grand finals ever & take the NSWRL premiership outside Sydney for the first time. Raiders lock Bradley Clyde is awarded the Clive Churchill medal for man of the match. Illawarra Steelers finish in last position, claiming the wooden spoon. 30 September – Hawthorn (21.18.144) defeat Geelong (21.12.138) to win the 93rd and indeed final VFL premiership until 1996, when the VFA would become known as the VFL. Brownlow Medal awarded to Paul Couch (Geelong). Cricket – Australia regains The Ashes on English soil for the first time in 40 years defeating England 4–0 in the 6 test series. Births thumb|100px|Emma Watkins 8 January – Oliver Bozanic, footballer 9 January – Chris Sandow, rugby league player 10 January – Kyle Reimers, Australian rules footballer 11 January – Kane Linnett, rugby league player 15 January – Ryan Corr, actor 1 February – Steven Browne, Australian rules footballer 4 February – Kevin Naiqama, Australian-Fijian rugby league player 7 February – Jake Granville, rugby league player 8 February Chai Hansen, Thai-born actor Bronte Barratt, swimmer 10 February – Liam Hendriks, baseball player 13 February – Rhys Palmer, footballer 17 February Jake Marketo, rugby league player Tom Symonds, rugby league player 20 February – Daly Cherry-Evans, rugby league player 25 February – Hayden Doyle, soccer player 15 March – Bryce Gibbs, Australian rules footballer 24 March – James Sellar, Australian rules footballer 24 March – Aziz Shavershian, Australian bodybuilder (d. 2011) 4 April – Chris Herd, soccer player 6 April – Gabrielle Scollay, actress 11 April – Eka Darville, actor 20 April – Amy Steel, netballer 21 April – Jayson Bukuya, Australian-Fijian rugby league player 26 April – Luke Bracey, actor 27 April – Tim Glasby, rugby league player 11 May – Jack Grimes, Australian rules footballer 14 May – Alexandra Park, actress 15 May – James Holland, soccer player 30 May – Catherine McNeil, fashion model 31 May – Chase Stanley, Australian-New Zealand rugby league player 2 June – Steve Smith, cricketer 7 June – Mitch Robinson, Australian footballer 9 June – Josephine Tomic, racing cyclist 12 June – Shane Lowry, soccer player 13 June – Ben Barba, rugby league footballer 1 July – Daniel Ricciardo, racecar driver 12 July – Phoebe Tonkin, actress (H2O: Just Add Water) 13 July – Jack Bobridge, racing cyclist 18 July – Sebastian Ryall, soccer player 27 July – Talia Zucker, actress 4 August Dajana Cahill, actress Jessica Mauboy, actress and singer-songwriter (Young Divas) 10 August – Brenton Thwaites, actor 15 August – Ryan McGowan, soccer player 19 September – Kimberly Mason, rhythmic gymnast 21 September – Emma Watkins, singer and actress (The Wiggles) 22 September – Renee Rollason, soccer player 16 October – Angie Bainbridge, swimmer 17 October – Sophie Luck, actress 18 October – Leigh Howard, racing cyclist 24 October – Eliza Taylor, actress 26 October – Daniel Mullen, soccer player 2 November – Chris Winter, television presenter and reporter 9 November – Lucinda Whitty, sailor 10 November – Andrew James Morley, actor 25 November – Basia A'Hern, actress 10 December – Tom Sexton, Australian-Irish rugby player 22 December – Jared Petrenko, Australian rules footballer 22 December – Jharal Yow Yeh, rugby league footballer 31 December – Brydan Klein, tennis player Full date unknown Blair Cottrell, far right activist Deaths 31 May – Malcolm Scott, Western Australian politician (b. 1911) 12 June – Bruce Hamilton, public servant (b. 1911)https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hamilton-leslie-bruce-12586 Australian Dictionary of Biography Hamilton, Leslie Bruce (1911–1989 Pam Crichton 2007 Diane Langmore 16 Melbourne University Press 4 January 2022 4 January 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220104043528/https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hamilton-leslie-bruce-12586 live 11 August – John Meillon, actor (b. 1934) 16 August – Donald Friend, artist and diarist (b. 1915) 26 October – Gordon Reid, 26th Governor of Western Australia (b. 1923) See also 1989 in Australian television List of Australian films of 1989 References 1989 in yes Australia Category:Years of the 20th century in Australia