Allan was born at Swan Hill and named after his paternal grandfather (Frank) and his maternal uncle (Angus), but he was always called by his mother, Sarah's favourite name ... Allan. His first years were spent in the Mallee and then in Poowong where he started school, riding there with Maimie, on his pony called Linnett. The children along that road all walked or rode home together . . . the Beverlys, the McDougalls, the Glovers and the Umbers. Allan did quite well at school and continued on at Kew State School when the family moved there. He went to Scotch College, East Melbourne, for his secondary schooling and was devoted to it no school could match Scotch in Allan's opinion. He enjoyed the school's varied activities, educational, cultural and particularly sporting - he enjoyed football, cricket, tennis and rowing and the family was kept busy following his progress in these sports. When Allan left Scotch and moved to "Myrambeek" to work the farm, he was active in the Presbyterian Church, sang in the choir they had then, and worshipped regularly. He was very musical, had a good singing voice, played the piano well and was fond of dancing. Maimie says she doesn't remember Allan ever getting in a temper, as he was quite placid, but he was very determined and when he set his mind to something, he always did it! The farm was his great love and he was fond of animals ... always with a dog at his heels and Maimie remembers him going about the work out in the paddock with his favourite cat drapped around his shoulders like a fur collar. A big man, 6'3" tall, he was involved in district affairs and of course with the football team. Allan was approached several times by Collingwood to play League football, but always refused as it would have meant three days a week away from the farm so he preferred to play with Poowong. His death, from injuries in this sport, ended a promising life and saddened all.

The Franchise Act guarantees women the right to vote in federal elections (by this stage, most states had already done this). However, it excludes most non-European ethnic groups, including Aboriginal people, unless already registered to vote on State roles.

The High Court of Australia is established with Samuel Griffith as the first Chief Justice.

A site at Dalgety, New South Wales chosen for the new national capital

Australia takes control of south-eastern New Guinea

Dorothea Mackellar publishes My Country

The first powered aeroplane flight in Australia is made.

Andrew Fisher forms the first federal majority Labor government.

The Royal Australian Navy is founded

Australia sends women to the Olympic Games for the first time

Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth cross the Blue Mountains.

The foundation stone for the city of Canberra is put in place

Australian soldiers are sent to the First World War. This was first time Australians had fought under the Australian flag, as opposed to that of Britain's.

(25 APRIL)Australian soldiers land at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on 25 April.

Hotels are forced to close at 6 p.m., leading to the beginning of the 'six o'clock swill'

Second referendum on conscription is rejected. Transcontinental railway linking Adelaide to Perth is completed.

(08 AUG) Battle of Amiens

Prime Minister Billy Hughes signs Treaty of Versailles: the first signing of an international treaty by Australia. Australia obtains League of Nations mandate over German New Guinea.

The airline Qantas is founded

Edith Cowan becomes the first woman elected to an Australian parliament

The Smith Family charity is founded in Sydney

Vegemite is first produced

The first Miss Australia contest is held