1966 in Australia

none March 2020 February 2012 The following lists events that happened during 1966 in Australia. Elizabeth II Lord Casey Sir Robert Menzies, then Harold Holt 11,599,498 Jack Brabham QLD, Federal 1966 Incumbents thumb|upright|140px|Lord Casey horizontal right center 280 Robert Menzies 1960 colour (cropped).jpg Sir Robert Menzies Harold Holt 1965 01.jpg Harold Holt Monarch – Elizabeth II Governor-General – Lord Casey Prime Minister – Sir Robert Menzies (until 26 January), then Harold Holt Opposition Leader – Arthur Calwell Chief Justice – Sir Garfield Barwick State and territory leaders Premier of New South Wales – Robert Askin Opposition Leader – Jack Renshaw Premier of Queensland – Frank Nicklin Opposition Leader – Jack Duggan (until 11 October), then Jack Houston Premier of South Australia – Frank Walsh Opposition Leader – Sir Thomas Playford IV (until 13 July), then Steele Hall Premier of Tasmania – Eric Reece Opposition Leader – Angus Bethune Premier of Victoria – (Sir) Henry Bolte Opposition Leader – Clive Stoneham Premier of Western Australia – David Brand Opposition Leader – Albert Hawke (until 31 December), then John Tonkin Governors and administrators Governor of New South Wales – Sir Roden Cutler (from 20 January) Governor of Queensland – Colonel Sir Henry Abel Smith (until 18 March), then Sir Alan Mansfield (from 21 March) Governor of South Australia – Lieutenant General Sir Edric Bastyan Governor of Tasmania – General Sir Charles Gairdner Governor of Victoria – Major General Sir Rohan Delacombe Governor of Western Australia – Major General Sir Douglas Kendrew Administrator of Nauru – Reginald Leydin (until February), then Leslie King (from 3 May) Administrator of Norfolk Island – Roger Nott, then Reginald Marsh Administrator of the Northern Territory – Roger Dean Administrator of Papua and New Guinea – Sir Donald Cleland (until December) Events January 14 January – Ballet dancer and choreographer Robert Helpmann is named as 1965's Australian of the Year.15 January 1966 Helpmann as "Australian of the Year" https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-helpmann-as-a/151726707/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 24 July 2024 20 January – Robert Menzies, Australia's longest-serving Prime Minister, retires and is succeeded by Harold Holt.Gaul Jonathan 21 January 1966 PM resigns: Holt to name cabinet Tuesday https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/105883199/11616876 The Canberra Times 1 24 July 2024 26 January – The Beaumont children are abducted during a visit to Glenelg beach in Adelaide and are never seen again.28 January 1966 All-in search for three children https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-all-in-search-for-three-children/151725885/ The Age 3 24 July 2024 28 January – Western Mining Corporation discover rich nickel ore deposits at Kambalda in Western Australia's Goldfields region.27 September 1993 Kambalda - Its discovery and early development https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-495704976/view Kambalda Nickel Operations 26 July 2024 The Company began diamond drilling in the area in December 1965, and at 10 a.m. on 28 January, 1966, a drill operating near the old Red Hill gold mine intersected a 9 ft. wide bank of iron and nickel sulphides assaying 8.3 per cent nickel. 29 January – Wilhelmina Kruger, a 57-year-old cleaner is murdered as she worked her early morning shift at Wollongong's Piccadilly Arcade shopping centre.30 January 1966 Savage murder: mutilated body under stairway https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-savage-murder/152110743/ The Sun-Herald 5 27 July 2024 Despite Christopher Wilder being a suspect, her murder remains unsolved.Humphries Glen 21 March 2017 Unsolved Wollongong murder to feature in film https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4543514/unsolved-wollongong-murder-to-feature-in-film/ Illawarra Mercury 27 July 2024 30 January – The Prince of Wales arrives in Australia to attend Geelong Grammar School's exclusive Timbertop preparatory school.31 January 1966 Prince Charles arrives with a smile https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-prince-charles-arrives-with-a-sm/151726213/ The Age 1 25 July 2024 February 1 February – Victoria's State Executive Council commutes the death sentence which had been handed to 32-year-old triple murderer John Desmond David who pled guilty in November 1965 to three murders.2 February 1966 Killer of three will not hang https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-killer-of-thre/152110546/ The Sydney Morning Herald 5 27 July 2024 Instead of being hanged, David's sentence is commuted to 40 years imprisonment making him the fourth convicted murderer whose death sentence is commuted since Robert Peters Tait in 1962.2 February 1966 Death sentence commuted https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-death-sentence-commuted/152110556/ The Age 3 27 July 2024 4 February – Two men, aged 19 and 22, undergoing a 10-week basic training course at the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka survive a lightning strike.5 February 1966 Lightning strikes army recuits; escape with burns and shock https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-lightning-stri/152109970/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 27 July 2024 5 February – While playing in the sand on a beach at Windang near Wollongong, a 12-year-old boy discovers the body of 29-year-old Giorgina Radoicovich.6 February 1966 Woman's body in sandhills grave https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-womans-body-i/152110490/ The Sun-Herald 3 27 July 2024 A Supreme Court jury later finds her 31-year-old husband Vittorio Radoicovich not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter and is sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.20 April 1966 10 years for killing wife https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-10-years-for-w/152110961/ The Sydney Morning Herald 10 27 July 2024 14 February – Decimalisation of the Australian currency; the Australian dollar replaces the Australian pound at the rate of ten shillings to the dollar.15 February 1966 In came the dollars, out went the pounds - and all with hardly a hitch https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-in-came-the-do/151727166/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 24 July 2024 18 February – US Vice-president Hubert Humphrey arrives in Australia to assure the Australian government that the war is being directed by Hanoi and Peking, and that it represents one of China's numerous offensives in Asia.19 February 1966 Humphrey here for Vietnam talk https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-humphrey-here/151730516/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 24 July 2024 28 February – Jørn Utzon resigns as architect of the Sydney Opera House, following a bitter struggle with the new Public Works Minister Davis Hughes over fees, costs and design changes.O'Hara John 1 March 1966 Utzon quits Opera House: Angry clash on fees reported https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-utzon-quits-op/151726608/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 24 July 2024 Victoria extends hotel trading hours from 6pm to 10pm, ending the infamous "Six O'Clock Swill".1 February 1966 Uneventful end to state's six o'clock swill https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-uneventful-end-to-states-six-o/151730541/ The Age 3 25 July 2024 Driving with a blood alcohol level over 0.05% becomes a criminal offence. March 10 March – On advice from Immigration Minister Hubert Opperman, federal cabinet reverses a decision of September 1964, agreeing that non-Europeans could be selected on an individual basis to enter as immigrants with permanent resident status and naturalisation on an equal basis with European applicants.Gaul Jonathan 11 March 1966 New immigration policy will aid Japanese https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/105891028/11617936 The Canberra Times 3 25 July 2024 16 March – Widespread rain in New South Wales brings a slight reprieve for some areas affected by Australia's severe drought which has stricken large areas of the country since 1957, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland.17 March 1966 Storms in wide areas of state bring heaviest rain for a year https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-storms-in-wide/151972362 The Sydney Morning Herald 1 25 July 2024 30 March – Ronald Joseph Ryan is found guilty of murdering warder George Henry Hodson at HM Prison Pentridge on 19 December 1965 and is sentenced to death.31 March 1966 Ryan guilty of murder; death sentence https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-ryan-guilty-of-murder-death-sen/152170808/ The Age 1 28 July 2024 Peter John Walker is found guilty of manslaughter and is sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. April 7 April – New South Wales repeals the Sunday Observance Act, allowing theatres and cinemas to open, sporting events to charge admission and clubs to sell alcohol on Sundays.Suich Max 5 June 1966 The changing face of Sunday https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-the-changing-f/151727523/ The Sun-Herald 45 24 July 2024 19 April – The first National Service conscripts fly out from RAAF Base Richmond base in Sydney bound for the Vietnam War.20 April 2024 First group of NS troops to fly to Vietnam https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/128654297 The Canberra Times 1 24 July 2024 May 12 May – 21-year-old pilot Mary Fergusson on her final test flight to qualify for her full pilot's licence goes missing in Tasmania en route from Cambridge to Flinders Island prompting a widespread search.13 May 1966 Dawn search by planes for girl pilot https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-dawn-search-by/151976480/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 25 July 2024 Her body and her crashed Cessna are discovered several days later, only 50 miles from the Cambridge Aerodrome where she took off.16 May 1966 Lost aircraft often missed https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-lost-aircraft/151976267/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 25 July 2024 June 8 June – Ronald Joseph Ryan and Peter John Walker lose their appeals against their sentences relating to the murder of Pentridge warder George Henry Hodson on 19 December 1965.9 June 1966 Ryan and Walker lose appeals over shot warder https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-ryan-and-walker-lose-appeals-ove/152170656/ The Age 6 28 July 2024 After being convicted of Hodson's murder in March, Ryan was sentenced to death while Walker is convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. 21 June – Federal ALP leader Arthur Calwell is injured in an assassination attempt by 19-year-old Peter Kocan.22 June 1966 Calwell wounded at rally https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-calwell-wounde/151726938/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 24 July 2024 July 5 July – The Australian Workers' Union affiliates with the Australian Council of Trade Unions.6 July 1966 Biggest union votes to join ACTU https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-biggest-union-votes-to-join-actu/151726525/ The Age 1 24 July 2024 9 July – The Arbitration Commission introduces a minimum weekly wage for adult male employees under federal awards.9 July 1966 Immediate $2 rise in basic wage - 'low-pay' workers to get extra https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-immediate-2-rise-in-basic-wage/151974128/ The Age 1 25 July 2024 20 July – Former Australian prime minister Sir Robert Menzies is installed as the 159th Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports at Dover Castle.21 July 1966 Pomp and pageantry as Menzies takes post https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pomp-and-pagea/152172150/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 28 July 2024 21 July – Marcus Loane becomes the first Australian-born Anglican Archbishop of Sydney when he is elected in a 162-vote majority during a secret preferential ballot held after midnight.21 July 1966 Bishop Loane chosen as new archbishop https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-bishop-loane-c/152172127/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 28 July 2024 He was elected by an absolute majority after midnight last night. August 10 August – 41-year-old Helen Byrie Bernadette Jeffrey is found guilty of murdering her de facto husband 39-year-old Colin Howard Jeffrey in Healesville, Victoria on 27 March 1964, and is sentenced to death.11 August 1966 Woman guilty of murder https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-woman-guilty-of-murder/152171863/ The Age 12 28 July 2024 Her death sentence is later commuted to 10 years imprisonment on 23 May 1967.24 May 1967 Ryrie decision Monday https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-ryrie-decision-monday/152171919/ The Age 3 28 July 2024 18 August – Australian forces engage in their first major battle in Vietnam at the Battle of Long Tan, inflicting heavy losses on NLF troops.20 August 1966 17 Australians dead; 26 wounded https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-17-aust-dead/151730638/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 24 July 2024 23 August – Two hundred Gurindji people walk off Wave Hill Station in the Northern Territory in protest at low wages and poor conditions.27 August 1966 200 Aborigines on strike in NT for $50 a week https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-200-aborigines-on-strike-in-nt-f/151730701/ The Age 24 July 2024 September 1 September – Holden becomes the first local car manufacturer to install seat belts as standard equipment in all its new vehicles, starting with the Holden HR.17 May 2007 Seat belts https://www.fbekholden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2009 FB-EK Holden Car Clubs of Australia 25 July 2024 The first factory-fitted seatbelts were not fitted as standard equipment until 1st Sept 1966, as part of the HR 'safety upgrade'. From then onwards they were fitted as standard equipment to all models. 17 September – 18-year-old David Michael Ewer is found guilty of murdering 51-year-old Kathleen McLean in the Melbourne suburb of Albert Park on 22 April 1966, and is sentenced to death.19 September 1966 Death sentence for youth, 18 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-death-sentence-for-youth-18/152171633/ The Age 28 July 2024 His death sentence is later commuted to 30 years imprisonment on 15 March 1967. 22 September – Ansett-ANA Flight 149 crashes near Winton, Queensland, killing all 24 people on board.23 September 1966 24 killed in plane crash https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-24-killed-in-p/151730925/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 24 July 2024 24 September – Six people, including a 12-year-old boy, are killed when a Lockheed Hudson aircraft owned by Adastra Aerial Surveys crashes near the Tennant Creek Airport.25 September 1966 Six dead: Another air crash https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-6-dead-anothe/152046244/ The Sun-Herald 1 28 July 2024 October 13 October – 25-year-old Keith Ryrie is found guilty of the murder of 5-year-old Rhonda Margaret Irwin in Melbourne on 17 April 1966, and is sentenced to death.14 October 1966 Death sentence for 'hideous crime' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-death-sentence-for-hideous-crim/152171214/ The Age 3 28 July 2024 His death sentence is later commuted to 50 years imprisonment on 29 May 1967.30 May 1967 50-year-term for Ryrie https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-50-year-term-for-ryrie/152171470/ The Age 1 28 July 2024 20 October – US President Lyndon Johnson arrives for a 3-day visit of Australian east coast cities, sparking rowdy demonstrations by anti-war protesters.21 October 1966 The Johnson's go visiting https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-the-johnsons-g/151730727/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 24 July 2024 26 October – 20-year-old Anthony Lynes Burton is found guilty of murdering his parents 49-year-old Joyce Carol Burton and 51-year-old Colin Richard Burton in the Melbourne suburb of Huntingdale on 13 April 1966, and is sentenced to death.27 October 1966 Bible cited before death order https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-bible-cited-before-death-order/152171562/ The Age 7 28 July 2024 His death sentence is later commuted to 30 years imprisonment on 15 March 1967.16 March 1967 Two men escape hanging https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-two-men-escape-hanging/152171573/ The Age 1 28 July 2024 November 3 November – The Liberal Reform Group (which later evolves into the Australian Party) is founded.4 November 1966 Preferences threat to Liberals https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-preferences-th/151730766/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 24 July 2024 22 November – Conscientious objector William White is forcibly taken from his home in Sydney and inducted into the army.23 November 1966 William White joins the army - five days late https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-william-white/151730809/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 24 July 2024 26 November – The Liberal government of Harold Holt scores a massive victory in the 1966 federal election, and is returned to power with the largest majority in the federal parliament's 65-year history.27 November 1966 Holt sweeps back https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-holt-sweeps-ba/151730979/ The Sun-Herald 1 24 July 2024 December 9 December – Australia negotiates an agreement for an American spy satellite base to be established at Pine Gap in the Northern Territory, with federal minister for external affairs Paul Hasluck signing a treaty with the United States chargé d'affaires.23 December 1968 Space plant a 'Russian target' https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-space-plant-a/151910072/ The Sydney Morning Herald 3 24 July 2024 ...the Pine Gap facility, brought into existence when the Minister for External Affairs Mr P M C Hasluck signed a treaty with the US Charge d'Affaires on December 9, 1966 12 December – Victoria's State Executive Council schedules Ronald Ryan's hanging for 9 January 1967.13 December 1966 Hanging of Ryan set for Jan 9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-hanging-of-ryan-set-for-jan-9/152170909/ The Age 1 28 July 2024 22 December – The Federal government announces the formation of a military Task Force (including conscripts), increasing Australia's commitment to the Vietnam War to 4,500.23 December 1966 1,700 men for Vietnam from three services https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106953685 The Canberra Times 1 26 July 2024 Other events Japan replaces Great Britain as Australia's largest trading partner.Williams Ian 11 October 2016 The second wave of Japanese investment in Australia https://bluenotes.anz.com/posts/2016/10/longread-the-second-wave-of-japanese-investment-in-australia ANZ Bluenotes 25 July 2024 Japan became Australia’s leading export destination in 1966 and remained so until 2010. The council for the Defence of Government Schools (DOGS) is formed in Melbourne.July 2024 The Government of Queensland grants sand mining leases on Fraser Island without holding the required public hearings.July 2024 Science and technology Sydney industrial designer Harry Widmer wins the prestigious F.H. Edwards Laurel Award for his design for the Kriesler Mini 41–47 portable radio.14 May 2002 Many lives squeezed into one https://www.smh.com.au/national/many-lives-squeezed-into-one-20020514-gdfa09.html The Sydney Morning Herald 26 July 2024 ...Edwards Laurel Award for 1966 for designing the Kreisler Mini 41-47 The 41-47's innovative polypropylene plastic casing is the first use of this material anywhere in the world in consumer electronics. 24 November – Australia's first satellite communications earth station opens at Carnarvon, Western Australia.25 November 1966 WA sees first Aust-UK television link https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-wa-sees-first-aust-uk-television/151731041/ The Age 15 26 July 2024 Arts and literature 1966 in Australian literature 21 January – Director of the New South Wales Art Gallery Hal Missingham announces Clifton Pugh as the 1965 Archibald Prize winner for his portrait of Rupert Henderson.22 January 1966 Clifton Pugh wins Archibald Prize https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-clifton-pugh-wins-archibald-priz/151731074/ The Age 5 26 July 2024 Sali Herman is announces as the 1965 winner of the Wynne Prize for a painting entitled The Red House. 31 January – The Seekers arrive back in Australia for a concert tour which begins in Perth on 2 February.1 February 1966 Top talent flies in for shows here https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-top-talent-fli/152107932/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 27 July 2024 While in Australia, Judith Durham serves as a bridesmaid at her sister's wedding at St Peter's Church in Eastern Hill, while Keith Potger and his wife Pamela have their marriage blessed at St Martin's Anglican Church in Hawksburn on 6 February.8 February 1966 Seekers heard bells again https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-seekers-heard-bells-again/152108110/ The Age 5 27 July 2024 February – The Solid Mandala by Patrick White is published.11 February 1966 A mandala at Sarsparilla https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-a-mandala-at-s/152109411/ The Sydney Morning Herald 6 27 July 2024 2 February – The first edition of the pop magazine Go-Set is published in Melbourne.Go-Set: Australian pop music magazine https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Go-Set-AU.htm World Radio History 27 July 2024 16 February – The Rolling Stones return to Australia for their second tour, which commences at the Sydney Showground on 18 February.17 February 1966 Rolling Stones return to Australia https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-rolling-stones/152107555/ The Sydney Morning Herald 8 27 July 2024 26 March – Sydney's Tivoli Theatre closes.27 March 1966 Sad old-timers at Tiv finale https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sad-old-timers/151731112/ The Sun-Herald 3 26 July 2024 3 April – Melbourne's Tivoli Theatre closes.4 April 1966 Melbourne's Tivoli closes its doors https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-melbournes-ti/151731152/ The Sydney Morning Herald 10 26 July 2024 13 April – Bob Dylan's first concert in Australia is held at Sydney Stadium, marking the start of his first tour of Australia, supported by The Band.McGregor Craig 9 April 1966 Pop scene https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pop-scene/152107250/ The Sydney Morning Herald 12 27 July 2024 17 April – John Cargher's ABC Radio series Singers of Renown begins on Melbourne's 3LO.14 April 1966 Programme of discovery https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-programme-of-discovery/151731089/ The Age 31 26 July 2024 20 April – Thea Astley is named as the 1965 Miles Franklin Award winner for her novel The Slow Natives.21 April 1966 Award to Sydney novelist https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-award-to-sydne/151731180/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 27 July 2024 14 May – It's announced that Ku-ring-gai Council has granted Sydney's Community Theatre Company a five-year lease of Killara Memorial Hall which is to be transformed into the Marian Street Theatre, which is ultimately opened on 28 March 1968.15 May 1966 Play house for the north side https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-playhouse-for/152049898/ The Sydney Morning Herald 93 26 July 2024 10 July – The Easybeats leave for London.11 July 1966 Bomb hoax: 100 taken off plane; spirited dash to farewell pop group https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-bomb-hoax-100/152106825/ The Sydney Morning Herald 8 27 July 2024Veitch Allan 13 November 1966 "Good things" are happening - now the Easybeats are poised for the big time... https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-good-things/152106763/ The Sydney Morning Herald 103 27 July 2024 Their departure is delayed when they were among the 100 passengers forced to disembark their plane at Sydney Airport when an anonymous caller claimed a bomb was on the aircraft. 17 July – The Twilights win the grand final of the inaugural national Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds at Melbourne's Festival Hall.Byrne Bob 2 October 2014 Hoadley’s Battle of the Sounds https://www.adelaiderememberwhen.com.au/hoadleys-battle-of-the-sounds/ Adelaide: Remember When 27 July 2024 The event is almost overshadowed when six teenage girls are ejected by police after they attempt to climb onto the stage as judge Normie Rowe performed.18 July 1966 Singer's fans ejected https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-singers-fans-ejected/152050218/ The Age 27 July 2024 October – The Tyranny of Distance: How Distance Shaped Australia's History by Geoffrey Blainey is published.29 October 1966 The Tyranny of Distance https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-the-tyranny-of/152109483/ The Sydney Morning Herald 18 27 July 2024 20 January 1967 – Jon Molvig's portrait of Charles Blackman wins the 1966 Archibald Prize.21 January 1967 Portrait of friend wins prize https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-portrait-of-fr/152109668/ The Sydney Morning Herald 5 27 July 2024 Fred Williams' Upwey Landscape is awarded the 1966 Wynne Prize. 18 April 1967 – Trap by Peter Mathers is awarded the 1966 Miles Franklin Literary Award.19 April 1967 Mathers novel wins https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-mathers-novel-wins/152109714/ The Age 9 27 July 2024 Film The Admiral's Cup wins the AFI Best Film award Bruce Beresford is appointed secretary of the British Film Institute's Film Production Board Television 21 March – Gordon Chater from Seven's The Mavis Bramston Show wins the Gold Logie at the 1966 Logie Awards.Bayley Andrew 6 May 2016 TV Week Logie Awards: 50 years ago https://televisionau.com/2016/05/tv-week-logie-awards-50-years-ago-6.html Television.AU 24 July 2024 18 July – ABC TV children's program Play School first airs.Marshall Valda 24 July 1966 Series for the kids https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-series-for-the/151731458/ The Sun-Herald 80 24 July 2024 ...Play School with Dianne Dorgan and Alister Smart began last Monday on ABN-2 Sport 21 May – Anthony Cook wins the men's national marathon title, clocking 2:20:44.6 in Ballarat.Australian Championship Marathon 1966 https://ausrunning.net/marathon/australian-championship-1966 AusRunning 26 July 2024 17 September – St. George win their 11th consecutive NSWRL premiership, defeating Balmain 23–4 in the 1966 NSWRFL Grand Final.Goodman Tom 18 September 1966 Saints coast, win 23-4; plucky Tigers badly mauled https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-saints-coast/152046504/ The Sun-Herald 53 26 July 2024 This would be St George's final premiership win until 1977. Eastern Suburbs, after not winning a single match, finish in last position, claiming the wooden spoon for the second year in a row. 24 September – St Kilda defeats Collingwood in the 1966 VFL Grand Final.25 September 1966 St. Kilda wins by a point in Rules https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-st-kilda-wins/152046307/ The Sydney Morning Herald 61 26 July 2024 1 November – The Bart Cummings-trained Galilee (ridden by John Miller) wins the 1966 Melbourne Cup.2 November 1966 Jockey who battled all the way https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-jockey-who-battled-all-the-way/152046653/ The Age 1 26 July 2024 30 December – Fidelis takes line honours in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race while Cadence is ultimately declared the handicap winner.31 December 1966 Fidelis wins race line honours https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fidelis-wins-r/152046819/ The Sydney Morning Herald 1 26 July 2024 Births 1 January – Anna Burke, politician 10 January – Jeremy Sims, film director 4 February – Tony Butterfield, rugby league player 22 February – Brian Greig, politician 24 February Katie Allen, politician (d. 2025) David Harris, politician 9 March Tony Lockett, Australian Rules football player Jonathan O'Dea, politician 10 March – Katrina Hodgkinson, politician 20 April – David Chalmers, philosopher and cognitive scientist 17 May – Mark Kratzmann, tennis player 3 June – Jamie O'Neal, musical artist 1 July – Simon Arkell, pole vaulter 30 July – Allan Langer, rugby league player 3 August – Simon Shirley, decathlete 4 September – Gary Neiwand, track cyclist 13 September – Louis Mandylor, actor 15 November – Liane Moriarty, author 17 November – Kate Ceberano, singer 28 November – Scott Sunderland, road cyclist 16 December – Richard Scolyer, pathologist (d. 2026) 18 December – Melina Bath, politician and schoolteacher Deaths 21 January Sir Richard L. Butler, 31st Premier of South Australia (b. 1885)23 January 1966 Leader dies https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-leader-dies/152047061/ The Sun-Herald 28 26 July 2024 Sir Shane Paltridge, Western Australian politician (b. 1910)https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/paltridge-sir-shane-dunne-11335 Australian Dictionary of Biography Paltridge, Sir Shane Dunne (1910–1966) B. K. De Garis 2000 John Ritchie 15 Melbourne University Press 4 January 2022 16 July 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240716045816/https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/paltridge-sir-shane-dunne-11335 live 7 March – Bill Cahill, Australian rules footballer (Essendon) (b. 1911)Bill Cahill https://australianfootball.com/players/player/Bill+Cahill/6121 Australian Football 26 July 2024 25 May – Sir Vernon Sturdee, general (b. 1890)27 May 1966 Former head of Army dies https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-former-head-of/152047219/ The Sydney Morning Herald 4 26 July 2024 5 June – William Beak, cattle breeder (b. 1878)McDonald Lorna 1993 William Beak (1878 - 1966) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/beak-william-9458 Australian Dictionary of Biography 13 26 July 2024 6 July – Harold Breen, public servant (b. 1893)https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/breen-harold-patrick-9574 Harold Patrick Breen (1893–1966) 10 November 2023 10 November 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231110195423/https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/breen-harold-patrick-9574 live 3 August – John Cockle, New South Wales politician (b. 1908)4 August 1966 Death of Mr J S Cockle, Liberal MP https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-death-of-mr-j/152047312/ The Sydney Morning Herald 5 26 July 2024 22 September – Ray Maher, New South Wales politician (b. 1911)O'Hara John 23 September 1966 Witty Ray Maher was a man of contrasts https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-witty-ray-mahe/152047416/ The Sydney Morning Herald 10 26 July 2024 3 October – May Mabel Adamson, school principal (b. 1891)https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/adamson-may-mabel-9311 Adamson, May Mabel (1891–1966) headmistress 6 August 2023 6 August 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230806234016/https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/adamson-may-mabel-9311 live 13 November – Esna Boyd, tennis player (b. 1899)9 March 2013 Boyd, Esna (Esna Flora Boyd) https://www.tennisforum.com/threads/biographies-of-female-tennis-players.497314/page-14 Tennis Forum 16 July 2024 See also List of Australian films of the 1960s References 1966 in yes Australia Category:Years of the 20th century in Australia