Australia History - How much do you know?

[Shazzam]

Conclusion of history of CANBERRA (A.C.T).

1913

On 12 March, Canberra was formally named at the laying of a foundation stone on Capital Hill. Griffin arrived in October as Federal Director of Design and Consturction - development of the city was ready to begin.

1914 -1918

World War 1, changes of government and lack of money slowed progress of the city but several major works were undertaken. In 1914 the railway was extended from Queanbeyan to the south-east corner of Canberra, a power station was built at Kingston, brick-works were opened at Yarralumla and in 1915 Cotter Dam was completed.

1920

Walter Burley Griffin left Canberra with the framework of the plan established on the ground, but disappointed at the lack of grogress and frustrated by repeated efforts to change his city plan.

1921 - 1930

Under the guidance of the Federal Capital Advisory Committee construction progressed slowly. Road and sewerage layouts continued, tree planting was carried out, Parliament House was constructed. Shops were built at Civic, Manuka and Kingston; offices, hostels and houses completed for 1100 public sevants.

1930 - 1956

The years of the Depression World War II and post-war shortages caused a lenghthy period of stagnation in development, and only a small number of national projects were brought to fruition, including the Australian War Memorial (1941) and the Australian-American Memorial (1954). I didn't even know that we had an Australian - American Memorial; so I'm teaching myself with this thread...
[/b]

[Shazzam]

AUSTRALIAN HISTORY

Before the arrival of European settlers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples inhabited most areas of the Australian conteinent. Each people spoke one more more of hundreds of separate languages, with lifesyteles and cultural traditions that differed according to the region in which they lived. Their complex social systems and highly developed traditions reflect a deep connection with the land and environment.

Asian and Oceanic mariners and traders were in contact with Indigenous Australians for many centuries before the European expansion into the Eastern Hemisphere. Some formed substantial relationships with communities in northern Australia.

(Australian Department of Foreign Affairs).

[Shazzam]

First recorded European contact with Australia.


The first recorded contact European contact with Australia was in March 1606, when Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon (c.1580-1630) charted the west coast of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. Later that year, the Spanish explorer Luis Vaez de Torres sailed through the strait separating Australia and Papua New Guinea (hence Torres Strait name). Over the next two centuries, European explorers and traders continued to chart the coastline of Australia, then known as New Holland. In 1688, William Dampier became the first British explorer to land on the Australian coast. It was not until 1770 that another Englishman, Capitan James Cook, aboard the Endeavour, extended a scientific voyage to the South Pacific in order to further chart the east coast of Australian and claim it for the British Crown.

The fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour on 26 January, 1788 and it is on this day every year that Australia Day is celebrated.

Australia Day is a public holiday in Australia and many celebrations take place, which normally conclude with firework displays in capital cities (and even larger regional areas). It's great fun and most people enjoy the day with a good old aussie BBQ and lots of 'liquid amber'.

[Danyet]

I always thought that Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog was the first!

[Shazzam]

I always thought that Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog was the first!

I remember studying this explorer in primary school (ah brings back memories ). Dirk Hartog first visited Australian shores in 1616.

It gets interesting the more you delve into it.

[Shazzam]

The Impact of War

The First World War had a devastating impact on Australia. In 1914 the male population of Australia was less than 3 million, yet almost 400,000 of them volunteered to fight in the war. As many as 60,000 died and tens of thousand were wounded.

Out of this experience was born one of Australia's most enduring values the 'Anzac' ethos of courage and spirit. Every year on 25th April, Australia commemorates the brave but devastating battle fought by the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps - ANZACS- at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915. The day also commemorates all Australian soldiers who have fought in wars since then.

'In the end ANZAC stood and still stands for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcevulness, fidelity, comradeship and endurance that will never admit defeat.'
- Charles Bean, historian of the First World War.


Australia in Brief - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs

[Shazzam]

Did you know?

The Snowy Mountains Scheme is the most complex water and electricity utility in the World. It is recognised as one of the seven great civil engineering wonders of the modern world.

There are 16 major dams, and a total storage capacity of 7000 gigalitres, or 13 times for volume of Sydney Harbour

It took 25 years to build and is one of the largest and most complex integrated water and hydro-electric power schemes anywhere.

More than 100,000 people from over 30 countries worked on the Snowy Mountains Scheme between 1949 and 1974, with the workforce reaching a peak of 7,300 in 1959.

Look what we can do when we all work together!

[Shazzam]

DANYET THIS ONE IS FOR YOU!

Ok danyet earlier you were set a challenge in this forum; so here it is!

I would like you to try and find a piece of Australian History that I don't know about; so it had better be obscure.


Let's see what you can come up with.

There is no time limit

[Danyet]

That will be so easy!

[Shazzam]

Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened officially on the 19th March, 1932. The interesting feature of the official opening of the bridge is that the NSW Premier, the Honourable John T. Lang, declared the bridge officially open and instead of cutting the ribbon to signify the momentous event, he was prempted by Captain Francis De Groot of the political group The New Guard (who broke through) and slashed the ribbon with his sword. He believed that the only person to open the Bridge should be a member of the Royal family.

As many as 800 families in the Bridge's path were relocated and their homes demolished without any compensation given when the Bridge started construction. Sixteen workers lives were lost during the construction of the bridge.