1961 in Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 1961 in Australia | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
|---|---|
| Governor-General | William Morrison, then William Sidney |
| Prime Minister | Robert Menzies |
| Population | 10548267 |
| Elections | Federal, VIC |
See also: 1960 in Australia, other events of 1961, 1962 in Australia and the Timeline of Australian history.
Contents |
[edit] Incumbents
- Prime Minister - Robert Menzies
- Governor General - William Morrison, 1st Viscount Dunrossil (died in office February 3) William Sidney, 1st Viscount De L'Isle
- Premier of New South Wales - Robert Heffron
- Premier of South Australia - Sir Thomas Playford
- Premier of Queensland - Frank Nicklin
- Premier of Tasmania - Eric Reece
- Premier of Western Australia - David Brand
- Premier of Victoria - Henry Bolte
[edit] Events
- January 2 - Oral contraceptives are first sold in Australia
- February 25 - Last electric tram service runs in Sydney
- June 23 - Australia signed the Antarctic Treaty
- October 31 - Parkes radiotelescope officially opened by the Governor General
- November 30 - an Ansett ANA Vickers Viscount aircraft crashes on takeoff into Botany Bay, killing all 15 on board
[edit] Science & Technology
[edit] Arts and literature
- Dame Joan Sutherland is announced as Australian of the Year
- William Pidgeon wins the Archibald Prize
- The novel Lady Chatterley's Lover by D. H. Lawrence is banned from sale.
[edit] Film
[edit] Television
- August 19 - Four Corners TV current affairs program first screened on ABC TV
[edit] Sport
- Cricket
- New South Wales wins the Sheffield Shield
- The Ashes: Australia defeats England 2-1 and retains The Ashes
- Football
- Brisbane Rugby League premiership: Norths defeated Valleys 29-5
- New South Wales Rugby League premiership: St. George defeated Western Suburbs 22-0
- South Australian National Football League premiership: won by West Adelaide
- Victorian Football League premiership: Hawthorn defeated Footscray 94-51
- Golf
- Australian Open: won by Frank Phillips
- Australian PGA Championship: won by Allan Murray
- Horse Racing
- Summer Fair wins the Caulfield Cup
- Dhaulagiri wins the Cox Plate
- Magic Night wins the Golden Slipper
- Lord Fury wins the Melbourne Cup
- Motor Racing
- The Australian Grand Prix was held at Mallala and won by Lex Davison driving a Cooper Climax
- Tennis
- Australian Open men's singles: Roy Emerson defeats Rod Laver 1-6 6-3 7-5 6-4
- Australian Open women's singles: Margaret Smith defeats Jan Lehane 6-1 6-4
- Davis Cup: Australia defeats Italy 5-0 in the 1961 Davis Cup final
- Wimbledon: Roy Emerson and Neale Fraser win the Men's Doubles
- Wimbledon: Rod Laver wins the Men's Singles
- Yachting
- Astor takes line honours and Rival wins on handicap in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
[edit] Births
- March 16 - Brett Kenny, Rugby League footballer
- March 24 - Dean Jones, cricketer
- April 12 - Magda Szubanski, comedian
- May 16 - Gina Riley, actor and comedian
- May 31 - Justin Madden, Australian Rules footballer
- June 16 - Peter Sterling, Rugby League footballer
- July 21 - Morris Iemma, Premier of New South Wales
- October 8 - Simon Burke, actor
- November 18 - Anthony Warlow, singer
- November 23 - Merv Hughes, cricketer
- December 17 - Larry Anthony, politician
- December 29 - Mal Brough, politician
[edit] Deaths
- February 3 – William Morrison (b. 1893), Governor General of Australia
- February 20 – Percy Grainger (b.1882), pianist and composer
- May 22 – Lionel Lindsay (b.1874), artist
- September 27 – Peter Dawson (b. 1882), singer
- December 3 – Pat O'Hara Wood (b. 1891), tennis player
- December 20 – Earle Page (b. 1880), Prime Minister of Australia
