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Australia Day! Change the date? What to?

26/01/2024

I took this image as I walked past the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne on a gloomy day in October 2020. We had been in 'lockdown' for months, but these three flags (National, State and Aboriginal) flying breezily together, in unity, somehow cheered me up. By contrast, the atmosphere surrounding Australia Day this year fills me with sadness. There is too much angry division. Those dark storm clouds in my photo remain relevant.

It’s easy to jump on the bandwagon of the #ChangeTheDate campaign for #AustraliaDay. But it’s not so easy to spend the time thinking of the rationale for a better alternative date and then obtain the necessary community support for that choice. It will take hard work, as I said a year ago when I first posted this line of argument on a different blog site.

I don’t support changing the date, in fact I see every reason to retain 26 January as Australia Day. Could there be any day more meaningful in our history as a nation and more able to generate genuine community discussion of where we’ve come from, where we’re heading, and what we can contribute as good citizens? Could there be any date more unique, more distinctive among all the world’s national days, compared with the day that incoming Europeans met a culture extending back for more than 60,000 years? Being the descendant of a First Fleeter I believe I can see both sides of that story and I’ve done my best to tell it fairly in my book ‘Sentenced to Debt: Robert Forrester, First Fleeter’. 

Despite my personal views, I have been willing to do a bit of groundwork laying out a framework of possibilities - or unsuitabilities - for an alternate date. It’s clear that if we decide to change the date, perhaps to the day that we become a republic and truly independent as a nation (ho hum, just like so many other countries) - or the day that we pass the referendum on ‘The Voice’ or enact a Treaty as part of the Uluru Statement from the Heart - then we’d better take great care about our choice of date when we take those actions, lest it clash with a problematic date.

The calendar is very crowded. Some of the dates below mark our progressive march away from ties to the British. Some of the dates mark achievements in our own right as Australians, of which we can be proud and which contribute to our sense of national identity. Some of the dates will be unacceptable because they denote the killing or, worse, massacre of Aboriginal people (and some settlers) somewhere in our nation, only some of which dates are listed below. 

Some of the alternative dates have already claimed international significance for other reasons, either as the anniversary of a world event or the national day for major segments of our multicultural community. Some of the dates don’t fit with our seasons, current lifestyles and our existing sense of identity – for example, who wants to celebrate 'Australianness' in the depths of winter? Some of the dates are unsuitable, like New Year’s Day, when the populace is tired and often hungover from New Year’s Eve celebrations.

It’s amazing how many interpretations of the dates in our history can be found, even among the ranks of professional historians. In my table, the Year column denotes how long the event has been recognised in Australia, or overseas. The material is sourced from multiple, official or seemingly reliable, websites on the internet and I thank the numerous authors. 

I forgive myself in advance for any mistakes and omissions I have made and welcome your corrections and additional suggestions. But please – let's just stop this mindless chant of ‘Change the Date’, if that's what people want, and start focusing on ‘What to?’

EVENT

DAY

MONTH

YEAR

New Year’s Day (worldwide)

1

Jan

 

‘Federation Day’, Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 comes into force

1

Jan

1901

Commonwealth Nationality Act 1920 comes into effect. Codified concept of a British subject for natural-born and naturalised Australians. Outsiders were 'aliens'. No mention of Indigenous Australians. 

1

Jan

1921

Native Title Act 1993 comes into effect and the National Native Title Tribunal is established

1

Jan

1994

First ship of First Fleet enters Botany Bay

18

Jan

1788

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Murray River, QLD

20

Jan

1870

Phillip discovers Sydney Harbour, ‘the finest harbour in the world’.

21

Jan

1788

Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year), a 15 day festival beginning from new moon that appears between 21 Jan and 20 Feb.

22

Jan

2023

Phillip, officers and marines camp overnight at Sydney Cove

25

Jan

1788

Phillip, officers and marines at Sydney Cove hold flag-raising ceremony.

26

Jan

1788

The remainder of the fleet arrives in Sydney Cove in the late afternoon.

26

Jan

1788

Landing Day celebrated

26

Jan

1790

Rum Rebellion, Governor Bligh overthrown in a coup d'état

26

Jan

1808

Governor Macquarie proclaims first official public holiday to celebrate 'Foundation Day'

26

Jan

1818

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Waterloo Creek, NSW

26

Jan

1838

‘Anniversary Day’ established as a public holiday in Victoria by the Australian Natives Association.

26

Jan

1871

NSW government changes name of ‘Anniversary Day’ to ‘Australia Day’, an idea supported later that year by Prime Minister.

26

Jan

1932

The ‘Day of Mourning’ instituted as a day of protest by Aboriginal Australians, with a focus on loss of land and mistreatment. Aboriginal Advancement League begins to call it ‘Invasion Day’. Many now call it ‘Survival Day’.

26

Jan

1938

Nationality and Citizenship Act of 21 Dec 1948, creating Australian citizenship and conditions by which it can be acquired, comes into force. Indigenous people as ‘natural-born’ Australians implicitly included. Australian citizens continue to be British citizens.

26

Jan

1949

Indian Republic Day honours the date when Constitution of India replaced the Government of India Act (1935).

26

Jan

1950

Male convicts on First Fleet unloaded and start building the camp site in Sydney Cove

27

Jan

1788

Emancipists hold a dinner party and sing toasts to ‘Rise Australia’ (but on 27 Jan, as 26 Jan in that year fell on a Sunday).

27

Jan

1817

Holocaust Memorial Day, marking date when the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp was liberated, honouring victims, survivors and rescuers of Nazi regime in Germany (United Nations date)

27

Jan

1945

New citizens pledge their commitment to Australia, replacing an oath to the Queen of Australia.

31

Jan

1994

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Barmah Lake, VIC

1

Feb

1843

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Loddon Junction, VIC

1

Feb

1846

Sri Lanka Independence Day, also known as National Day, commemorates political independence from British rule.

4

Feb

1948

Waitangi Day, New Zealand, commemorates signing of Treaty of Waitangi

6

Feb

1840

First Fleet's female convicts come ashore

6

Feb

1788

Formal Proclamation of the Colony of New South Wales (which then included today's QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS and ACT).

7

Feb

1788

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Cape Grim, TAS

10

Feb

1828

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Manumbar, QLD

10

Feb

1861

Japan's National Foundation Day celebrates the accession of Japan's first emperor, Emperor Jimmu on 11 Feb 660 BC

11

Feb

1873

Islamic Revolution Day, National Day of Iran, also known as Bahman 22nd

11

Feb

1979

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd moves a motion of Apology to the "Stolen Generation" of Indigenous Australians, responding to ‘Bringing Them Home’ Report

13

Feb

2008

Valentine's Day (worldwide)

14

Feb

 

Massacre of Aboriginal People at West Tamar, TAS

18

Feb

1829

‘Battle of Darwin', the first of 100 air raids on Australia by the Japanese during World War 2

19

Feb

1942

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Lubra Creek, VIC

24

Feb

1842

Russia invades Ukraine

24

Feb

2022

Willem Janszoon aboard 'Duyfken' lands near today's Weipa on Cape York Peninsula

26

Feb

1606

Welsh National Day (St David's Day)

1

Mar

 

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Twofold Bay, NSW

1

Mar

1806

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Deepwater, NSW

1

Mar

1845

Australia Act 1986 - Australia’s Constitution can no longer be changed by UK parliament, only by a national referendum. Appeals to UK’s Privy Council cease. The Queen remains Australia’s head of state.

3

Mar

1986

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Yuleba Creek, QLD

4

Mar

1850

Labour Day in WA

6

Mar

2023

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Fighting Hills, VIC

8

Mar

1840

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Clyde & Ouse Rivers, TAS

10

Mar

1830

World Health Organisation declares novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a worldwide pandemic.

11

Mar

2020

British Commonwealth Day (second Monday in March since 1958) - no longer a national public holiday but public holidays coincide with this day in ACT (Canberra Day), Victoria (Labour Day), & South Australia (Adelaide Cup Day).

13

Mar

2023

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Buxton's Property, TAS

14

Mar

1826

Ireland's National Day (St Patrick's Day). Irish Catholics begin celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Australia

17

Mar

1795

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Bullock Hunting Ground, TAS

19

Mar

1828

Harmony Day, coinciding with United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, promotes activities which enhance a sense of belonging within diverse communities.

21

Mar

1999

Ramadan - the ninth month of the Islamic Year. In 2023 Ramadan in Australia begins in the evening of Wednesday, 22 Mar and ended in the evening of Thursday, 20 Apr

22

Mar

2023

Pakistan Day or Pakistan Resolution Day, also Republic Day, marks adoption of Pakistan's first constitution, when it became the world's first Islamic republic.

23

Mar

1956

Greece Independence Day, commemorates start of War of Greek Independence from Ottoman Empire in 1821. It coincides with Greek Orthodox Church celebration of Annunciation to the Theotokos.

25

Mar

1821

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Clyde & Ouse Rivers, TAS

28

Mar

1929

April Fool’s Day (worldwide)

1

Apr

 

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Fighting Hills, VIC

1

Apr

1840

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Elizabeth River, TAS

2

Apr

1828

Australians voluntarily becoming citizens of other countries no longer lose Australian citizenship.

4

Apr

2002

Good Friday (worldwide)

7

Apr

2023

Easter Sunday, the first Sunday after the first Full Moon occurring on or after the March equinox on 21 March (worldwide)

9

Apr

2023

Easter Monday

10

Apr

2023

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Whiteside Station, QLD

15

Apr

1858

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Appin, NSW

17

Apr

1816

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Whitefoord Hills, TAS

18

Apr

1830

England's National Day (St George's Day)

23

Apr

 

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Yamboucal Station, QLD

23

Apr

1849

ANZAC Day (Gallipoli)

25

Apr

1915

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Nepean River, NSW

27

Apr

1805

Freedom Day, South Africa, celebrates the first elections when all citizens had the right to vote

27

Apr

1994

Port Arthur Massacre in Tasmania

28

Apr

1996

First Englishman sets foot onshore at Botany Bay

29

Apr

1770

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Slaughterhouse Creek, NSW

1

May

1838

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Yeelanna, SA

1

May

1849

Spanish explorer Pedro Fernandez de Quiros names the New Hebrides, which he assumed to be a continent balancing up the northern hemisphere landmasses, as Austrialis del Espiritu Santo

3

May

1606

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Risdon Cove, TAS

3

May

1804

Coronation of King Charles III

6

May

2023

Ma -ate Day (May eight) suggested

8

May

2018

Europe Day (European Union)

9

May

1950

Prime Minister John Howard bans all automatic and semi-automatic weapons in the country.

10

May

1996

Mother's Day (2nd Sunday in May)

14

May

2023

Israel's National Day, Day of Independence, celebrates its Declaration of Independence (celebrations can be either side of this date for religious reasons)

14

May

1948

Eddie Mabo and others begin their claim to title over their lands in the Torres Strait

20

May

1982

East Timor Independence Day marks independence of Timor Leste from Indonesian rule.

20

May

2002

Aborigines win the right to enrol and vote in Federal elections.

21

May

1962

Empire Day proclaimed.

24

May

1903

Irish Catholics begin referring to May 24 as ‘Australia Day’

24

May

1911

‘Bringing Them Home’ report tabled in Federal Parliament, dealing with impact of forcible removal policies separating Aboriginal children from their families.

26

May

1997

National ‘Sorry’ Day, a grass roots response to the conservative government’s refusal to apologise for federal policies described in ‘Bringing Then Home’ Report.

26

May

1998

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Mt Dispersion, Murray River, NSW

27

May

1836

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Waterloo Bay, SA

27

May

1849

Australians overwhelmingly support referendum to give Commonwealth Parliament power to make laws in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and include them in the census.

27

May

1967

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Bathurst Plains, NSW

31

May

1824

Japanese midget submarines attack Sydney Harbour

31

May

1942

Samoan Independence Day celebrates freedom from command by New Zealand

1

Jun

1962

Italy Republic Day, also known as Festa della Repubblica, marks the day when Italians voted to abolish the monarchy.

2

Jun

1946

‘Lady Juliana', the 'floating brothel' and first convict transport ship of Second Fleet, arrives at Sydney

3

Jun

1790

Mabo v Queensland No. 2 1992 – High Court judgement agrees that traditional ownership existed and had not been extinguished by British possession.

3

Jun

1992

Dutch ship 'Batavia' wrecked off West Australian coast

4

Jun

1629

Nationality and Citizenship Act amended and renamed the Citizenship Act, making it easier for the influx of non-British immigrants to become citizens. All Australian citizens now ‘Australian citizens with the status of a British subject’ rather than British subjects.

4

Jun

1969

Tiananmen Square Massacre, Beijing

4

Jun

1989

D-Day, World War 2, largest seaborne invasion in history

6

Jun

1944

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Hawkesbury, NSW - caution, this took place in May, not June

7

Jun

1795

Matthew Flinders circumnavigates Australia, 1801-03, and arrives in Sydney Harbour on 9 June, having proved it was a continent.

9

Jun

1803

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Campaspe, VIC

9

Jun

1840

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Myall Creek, NSW

10

Jun

1838

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Mount Rouse, VIC

11

Jun

1840

Racial Discrimination Act 1975, outlawing certain forms of racial discrimination.

11

Jun

1975

Commonwealth Franchise Act defined who could vote in Commonwealth elections, and included all women but excluded many native races including Australian Aborigines.

12

Jun

1902

King's Birthday since 4 June 1788. From 1966 the Queen’s (now King's) Birthday has been celebrated around her official birthday (not her actual birthday) on second Monday in June (Qld & WA have different days)

12

Jun

2023

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Dairy Plains, TAS

13

Jun

1827

Battle of Waterloo, Europe

18

Jun

1815

Aboriginal people allowed to vote in Federal elections.

18

Jun

1962

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Glenmore Downs, QLD

21

Jun

1866

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Laycock Falls, TAS

24

Jun

1827

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Frew River, NT

24

Jun

1891

Korean War begins

25

Jun

1950

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Quamby Brook, TAS

26

Jun

1827

Treaty of Versailles, official end of World War 1

28

Jun

1919

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Umbercollie Station, QLD

30

Jun

1848

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Moreton Island, QLD

1

Jul

1831

Canada Day, celebrates the date when three separate colonies united to form Canada

1

Jul

1867

Australian Citizenship Act 2007 replaces 1948 Act – and introduces a citizenship test

1

Jul

2007

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Naracoorte Caves, VIC

2

Jul

1845

Independence Day, USA, when the American colonies signed Declaration of Independence from UK

4

Jul

1776

‘Mary Ann', first transport ship of Third Fleet, arrives at Sydney carrying female convicts

9

Jul

1791

Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900, an Act of the UK Parliament, becomes law

9

Jul

1900

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Morinish Goldfields, QLD

12

Jul

1867

Bastille Day, France

14

Jul

1789

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Mt Cottrell, Werribee, VIC

16

Jul

1836

Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 17 shot down over Ukraine, significant loss of Australian life

17

Jul

2014

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Mt McMinn, NT

19

Jul

1875

Battle of Fromelles, WW1, huge Australian death toll

19

Jul

1916

Massacre of Colonisers at Breelong, NSW

20

Jul

1900

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Mt McMinn, NT

23

Jul

1875

Pozieres Campaign begins, WW1, huge Australian death toll

23

Jul

1916

Papua New Guinea Remembrance Day, marks start of Battle of Kokoda and commemorates Papua New Guineans who have died in military service.

23

Jul

1942

William Dampier aboard the 'Roebuck' reaches and names Shark Bay on the West Australian coast, having already landed on west coast in 1688

26

Jul

1699

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Mt Haldon, QLD

27

Jul

1843

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Raffles Bay, NT

30

Jul

1827

Red Cross designates 30 Jul 1915 and 30 Jul 1916 as ‘Australia Day’ as a fund-raising event.

30

Jul

1915

Australia enters World War 1

4

Aug

1914

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Wannon River, VIC

6

Aug

1843

National Day of Singapore commemorates Singapore's independence from Malaysia.

9

Aug

1965

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Fitzroy River Valley, WA

14

Aug

1896

India's National Day. Independence Day marks day when UK Parliament transferred legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly.

15

Aug

1947

Prime Minister Gough Whitlam hands over freehold title of the Gurindji lands

16

Aug

1975

Indonesia's National Day celebrates reading of the proclamation of independence from the Netherlands

17

Aug

1945

Vietnam Veterans Day, commemorating Battle of Long Tan on 18 Aug 1966

18

Aug

1969

Afghan Independence Day commemorates the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 and relinquishment of its status as a state protected by Britain against the Russians and Persia

19

Aug

1921

Australian Citizenship (Amendment) Act 1986. Children born in Australia can only be Australian citizens if at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Removed concept of ‘alien’.

20

Aug

1986

Captain Cook notes in his journal that he’d claimed the east coast of NSW for Britain.

22

Aug

1770

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Rufus River, VIC/SA

23

Aug

1841

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Rufus River, VIC/SA

27

Aug

1841

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Caders Range, NT

29

Aug

1875

Malaysia's National Day (Hari Merdeka) celebrates Malaysia's Declaration of Independence

31

Aug

1957

Diana, Princess of Wales dies

31

Aug

1997

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Turon River, NSW

1

Sep

1824

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Hunter Valley, NSW

1

Sep

1826

Massacre of Aboriginal People east of Ben Lomond, TAS

1

Sep

1829

Wattle Day commences. (National Wattle Day since 1 Sep 1992). Amnesty International promotes this for our National Day.  (Allergy problems??)

1

Sep

1910

World War 2, the deadliest conflict in human history, begins with the invasion of Poland. Hitler signs an order to begin the systematic euthanasia of mentally ill and disabled people.

1

Sep

1939

United States, Australia and New Zealand sign the ANZUS Treaty, a mutual defence pact

1

Sep

1951

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Mole Hill, NT

2

Sep

1875

Massacre of Colonisers at Daly River & Mary River, NT

2

Sep

1884

Vietnam's National Day, commemorating President Hồ Chí Minh reading the Declarations of Independence of Vietnam in Hanoi

2

Sep

1945

Australia enters World War 2

3

Sep

1939

Statute of Westminster Adoption Act of Australian Parliament formally adopts sections 2–6 of UK's Statute of Westminster 1931, an Act enabling total legislative independence of self-governing Dominions of British Empire and further restricting ability of UK Parliament to legislate for the Dominions. Backdated to take effect from outbreak of World War 2.

3

Sep

1942

Father's Day (1st Sunday in September)

3

Sep

2023

Queen Elizabeth II dies, funeral 19 September

8

Sep

2022

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Deepwater, NSW

11

Sep

1842

Attack on Twin Towers of World Trade Centre, New York

11

Sep

2001

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Dairy Plains, TAS

15

Sep

1826

Papua New Guinea Independence Day, commemorating Independence from Australia

16

Sep

1975

Aboriginal boy shot at Hawkesbury in early Sep 1794

17

Sep

1794

Murder of two Aboriginal boys at Hawkesbury

18

Sep

1799

Referendum to ban the Communist Party defeated.

22

Sep

1951

Jewish Religious Holiday period - Sep/Oct, such as Yom Kippur

24

Sep

2023

Cathy Freeman wins 400m Gold Medal in Sydney Olympics

25

Sep

2000

First record of a Colonial Frontier Massacre, of 6 Aboriginal People, by civilians at Hawkesbury, NSW. Date unclear but documented on 26 September. Perpetrators never identified or punished.

26

Sep

1794

Australia wins America’s Cup

26

Sep

1983

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Argument Flat, NT

27

Sep

1884

AFL Grand Final Day (last Saturday in Sep) with public holiday in Victoria on the preceding Friday.

30

Sep

2023

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Minnamurra River, NSW

1

Oct

1818

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Dourallie Creek, NSW

1

Oct

1846

National Day of People's Republic of China celebrates its foundation ceremony in Tiananmen Square, forming the Central People's Government. This is also Hong Kong's National Day.

1

Oct

1949

NRL Grand Final Day (1st Sunday in October)

1

Oct

2023

Labour Day in ACT, NSW & SA and King's Birthday, QLD

2

Oct

2023

National Iraqi Day celebrates the day Iraq joined the United Nations.

3

Oct

1932

Germany's National Day (German Unity Day)

3

Oct

1990

Trial of William Millar and Thomas Bevan for murder of the Aboriginal man Tom Rowley (9th or 10th October)

9

Oct

1797

Commonwealth Electoral Act makes voting compulsory, with penalties for failure to vote.

10

Oct

1924

Fiji Day marks cession to UK in 1874 and independence gained in 1970

10

Oct

1970

Fiesta Nacional de Espana (Spain's National Day) celebrates the arrival date of Christopher Columbus in America. Other countries also mark Columbus Day.

12

Oct

1935

Bali Bombings, significant loss of Australian life

12

Oct

2002

Naturalisation Act 1903 excludes Aboriginal people and people from Asian countries.

13

Oct

1903

Battle of Hastings
NOTE : this is also the date in 2023 when Australians rejected the referendum on 'The Voice'

14

Oct

1066

Robert Forrester is first man brought before an official enquiry to answer the charge of shooting an Aboriginal boy at Hawkesbury on 17 Sep 1794.

17

Oct

1794

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Bluff Rock, NSW

17

Oct

1844

Massacre of Colonisers at Cullin-la-Ringo, Qld

17

Oct

1861

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Upper Maranoa, QLD

19

Oct

1861

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Cockatoo Valley, TAS

23

Oct

1828

First recorded landing by a European (Dirk Hartog) on West Australian coast, at Shark Bay

25

Oct

1616

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Nogoa River, QLD

25

Oct

1861

Austria’s National Day (Austria not to be confused with Australia)

26

Oct

1955

Massacre of Colonisers at Hornet Bank Station, QLD

27

Oct

1857

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Pinjarra, WA

28

Oct

1834

First conscription plebiscite in WW1 fails

28

Oct

1916

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Woolgar River, QLD

30

Oct

1863

Halloween (worldwide)

31

Oct

 

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Maryborough, QLD

1

Nov

1854

Vietnam War begins

1

Nov

1955

Boer War involvement begins when the first formed unit of troops from Australia lands in Cape Town

2

Nov

1899

Balfour Declaration, a public statement issued by the British government in 1917 during World War I announcing support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.

2

Nov

1926

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Battle Camp, QLD

5

Nov

1873

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Fitzroy River, QLD

6

Nov

1860

Defeat of Australian Republic Referendum

6

Nov

1999

Melbourne Cup (1st Tuesday in November)

7

Nov

2023

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Junction of Murray & Darling Rivers, NSW

11

Nov

1839

Eureka Statement at Ballarat

11

Nov

1854

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Ivanhoe Station, WA

11

Nov

1895

Remembrance Day marks date when World War 1 Armistice came into effect (worldwide)

11

Nov

1918

Dismissal of Australia's Prime Minister by Governor General

11

Nov

1975

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Glen Helen, NT

13

Nov

1884

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Meredith River, TAS

15

Nov

1823

Balfour Declaration of 1926 declares UK and its Dominions (including Australia) to be autonomous communities within the British Empire, equal in status and not subordinate

15

Nov

1926

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Geike Gorge, WA

19

Nov

1894

Lebanese Independence Day celebrates end of French mandate over Lebanon

22

Nov

1943

Australian Citizenship (Amendment) Act 1984 - Australian citizens cease to be ‘British subjects’. British subjects not yet naturalised become ‘permanent residents’.

22

Nov

1984

Thanksgiving Day, long-celebrated but in 1863 declared a national holiday in USA by Abraham Lincoln. Now celebrated in USA on fourth Thursday in November, followed immediately by Black Friday & Cyber Monday as a shopping bonanza

23

Nov

2023

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Exhibition Range, QLD

26

Nov

1861

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Kangaroo Creek, NSW

29

Nov

1847

The Eureka Oath of miners at Ballarat: ‘We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other, and fight to defend our rights and liberties’.

29

Nov

1854

Scotland's National Day (St Andrew's Day)

30

Nov

 

Australian Citizenship Act 1973 removes distinction between migrants from Commonwealth & other countries as candidates for Australian citizenship, ending the last vestiges of the ‘White Australia’ policy.

1

Dec

1973

Nationality Act 1920 - naturalised and native-born Australians share the same rights & obligations with respect to Commonwealth government and those outside this group are 'aliens', effective 1 Jan 1921

2

Dec

1920

Abel Tasman plants flag and claims Van Diemens Land (now Tasmania) for the Dutch

3

Dec

1642

Battle of the Eureka Stockade

3

Dec

1854

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Tooms Lake, TAS

6

Dec

1828

Japanese attack Pearl Harbour and Australia declares war on Japan.

8

Dec

1941

Marriage Act amended to permit same sex marriage

8

Dec

2017

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Bank Head Farm, TAS

9

Dec

1826

Mount White volcano erupts in NZ, significant loss of Australian life

9

Dec

2019

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Dawson River, QLD

10

Dec

1861

Statute of Westminster, a British law, grants former British colonies full legal freedom except where they choose otherwise

11

Dec

1931

The words ‘British Passport’ removed from Australian Passports (The Canberra Times, Fri 15 Dec 1967, p 9, Passports No Longer 'British')

14

Dec

1967

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Snowy River, VIC

16

Dec

1846

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Nassau River, QLD

16

Dec

1864

Second WW1 conscription plebiscite fails

20

Dec

1917

Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (the White Australia policy) takes effect.

23

Dec

1901

Japan National Day (Emperor Akihito’s Birthday)

23

Dec

1933

Christmas Eve (worldwide)

24

Dec

 

Native Title Act 1993 sets out circumstances under which Indigenous people throughout Australia can claim traditional rights to unalienated land.

24

Dec

1993

Christmas Day (worldwide)

25

Dec

 

Cyclone Tracey destroys Darwin

25

Dec

1974

Boxing Day (worldwide)

26

Dec

 

Massacre of Colonisers at Mt Larcom Station, QLD

26

Dec

1855

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Ivanhoe Station, WA

27

Dec

1895

Massacre of Aboriginal People at Fort Wellington, NT

29

Dec

1827

New Year’s Eve (worldwide)

31

Dec

 

 

 For more details of my work, see my Facebook page. My book 'Sentenced to Debt:Robert Forrester, First Fleeter' is described here and can be purchased here