1975 in Australia

1975 in Australia
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor-General	John Kerr
Prime Minister	Gough Whitlam, then Malcolm Fraser
Population	13,722,571
Elections	Federal, SA

[edit] Incumbents

January 5 - The Tasman Bridge in Hobart is struck by the ore carrier Lake Illawarra. The bridge partially collapses onto the vessel, which sinks. Seven crew and five motorists are killed
January 19 - 2JJ, the predecessor of youth radio Triple J, commences broadcasting in Sydney
March 21 - Malcolm Fraser replaces Billy Snedden as leader of the Liberal Party of Australia
April 25 - The Australian Embassy in South Vietnam is closed and staff evacuated prior to the Fall of Saigon
July 1 - Medibank is introduced, Australia Post and Telecom are formed from the Postmaster-General's Department (PMG)
September 16 - Papua New Guinea gains its independence from Australia
September 20 - Thirteen miners are killed in an underground coal mine explosion at the Kianga Mine at Moura, Queensland
October 16 - The Balibo Five are killed by Indonesian troops in Portuguese Timor
November 11 - The Governor General, John Kerr, dismisses the government of Gough Whitlam. Malcolm Fraser is installed as caretaker Prime Minister
December 25 - Fifteen persons are killed in an arson attack at the Savoy Hotel in Kings Cross, New South Wales.
Scientist John Cornforth is announced as Australian of the Year

March 16 – Australia is represented by twelve long-distance runners (eight men, four women) at the third IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Rabat, Morocco. Bill Scott is Australia's best finisher, claiming the 22nd spot (36:28.0) in the race over 12 kilometres.
August 9 – John Farrington wins his fourth men's national marathon title, clocking 2:17:20 in Point Cook.

Think Big wins the Melbourne Cup
Western Australia wins the Sheffield Shield
Kialoa takes line honours in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Rampage is the handicap winner
Czechoslovakia defeats Australia 3-0 in the Federation Cup

January 19 - Natalie Cook, beach volleyball player
February 4 - Natalie Imbruglia, singer
March 13 - Matt Sing, rugby league footballer
April 19 - Jason Gillespie, cricketer
May 21 - Anthony Mundine, rugby league footballer and boxer
July 2 - Daniel Kowalski, swimmer
July 17 - Loretta Harrop, triathlete
August 7 - David Matthew Hicks, prisoner at Guantánamo Bay, convicted of terrorism
August 12 — Taryn Woods, water polo player
August 25 - Petria Thomas, swimmer
September 1 - Natalie Bassingthwaighte, singer and actress
September 18 - Don Hany , actor
October 9 - Mark Viduka, football (soccer) player
October 31 - Jagan Hames, track and field athlete