The Sydney Harbour Bridge opens

Western Australia votes at a rerefendum to secede from the Commonwealth, but the vote is ignored by both the Commonwealth and British governments

The last Thylacine dies

The radio series Dad and Dave begins

Sydney hosts the Empire Games, the forerunner to the Commonwealth Games

(April) Prime Minister Lyons dies in office and is replaced by Robert Menzies and the first Menzies Government

A team of scientists, under Howard Florey, develops penicillin

3 Divisions of the 2nd Australian Imperial Force join operations in the Mediterranean. After initial successes against Italy, 2nd AIF suffered defeat against the Germans in Greece, Crete, and North Africa.

Feb, Fall of Singapore. 15,000 Australians become Prisoners of War of the Japanese

Australia wins its first Oscar, with cinematographer Damien Parer honoured for Kokoda Front Line! documentary.

Cowra breakout, mass escape of Japanese prisoners of war occurs in NSW.

the Liberal Party of Australia is established with Robert Menzies as its first leader.

Minister for Immigration Arthur Calwell introduces the major post-war immigration scheme

1946 - 1948 Entered the Senior School as the holder of a G.E. Blanch Scholarship.

Minister for External Affairs, Dr. H.V. Evatt is elected President of the United Nations General Assembly.

Construction of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme begins

1950-53 - Australian troops are sent to the Korean War to assist South Korea.

Australia signs the ANZUS treaty with the United States and New Zealand

First nuclear test conducted in Australian territory by the United Kingdom off the coast of Western Australia.

Elizabeth II and Prince Philip make a royal visit; the Soviet diplomat Vladimir Petrov defects, leading to the Petrov Affair and another split in the Labor Party

Democratic Labor Party splits from Australian Labor Party over concerns of Communist influence in the labour movement

Television in Australia is launched.

The song 'Wild One' makes Johnny O'Keefe the first Australian rock'n'roller to reach the national charts.

Robert Menzies' Commonwealth Electoral Act provided that all Indigenous Australians should have the right to enrol and vote at federal elections, removing remaining restrictions applying in QLD, WA and NT.

The Beatles tour Australia;

Indigenous Australians gain right to vote in state of Queensland

The ban on the employment of married women in the Commonwealth Public Service is lifted;

Decimalisation; on 14 February the Australian currency is changed to dollars and cents, with the Australian Dollar replacing the Australian pound.

Large areas of Hobart and south-eastern Tasmania are devastated by bushfires on 7 February that kill 62 people;

Australia signs the nuclear non-proliferation treaty; Aboriginal boxing champion Lionel Rose defeats Masahiko 'Fighting' Harada in Japan to become the world bantamweight champion; Australia's first liver transplant operation is performed in Sydney;

French conceptual artist Christo 'wraps' Little Bay in Sydney;

More than 200,000 people participate in the largest demonstrations in Australian history, against the Vietnam War

Neville Bonner becomes the first Aborigine to become an Australian Member of Parliament;

The Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission rules that women doing the same job as men have the right to be paid the same wage.

The Sydney Opera House is opened

Darwin is devastated by Cyclone Tracy

(November) A constitutional crisis occurs when Malcolm Fraser blocks supply, bringing the nation to a standstill until Governor-General John Kerr dismisses Prime Minister Gough Whitlam on the 11.11.75. Fraser wins elections and becomes Prime Minister

The Australian Capital Territory legalises homosexuality between consenting adults in private.

Advance Australia Fair becomes Australia's official national anthem

The First Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras kicks off in Sydney

Australian women win the right to maternity leave

Baby Azaria Chamberlain disappears from a campsite at Uluru (Ayers Rock), reportedly taken by a dingo. The Coalition wins the 1980 Australian federal election.

A referendum is held in Tasmania to vote for whether or not the Franklin Dam should be built.

Commonwealth Games held in Brisbane. The National Gallery of Australia is opened.

Australia wins the America's Cup;

Advance Australia Fair is proclaimed as Australia's national anthem.

The government grants the freehold title of a large area of land in central Australia, including prominent landmarks Uluru and Kata Tjuta, to the Mutitjulu people, who in turn give them a 99-year lease.

The Australia Act removes the right of appeal from State courts to the British Privy Council, making the High Court the final court of appeal in Australia. The Act also removes all remaining rights of the UK parliament to pass law for Australia. Anita Cobby murder in Sydney. Russell Street Bombing in Melbourne. Crocodile Dundee is released in Australia.

Hoddle Street Massacre kills 7 victims and injures 19,

Australia celebrates its bicentenary, with large celebrations and major funding for capital works projects. The new Parliament House opens. Federal referendums on 4-year parliamentary terms, recognition of local government and other issues are defeated. Brisbane hosts World Expo '88.

Newcastle Earthquake kills 13 people.

Royal Australian Navy deployed in preparation for the First Gulf War.

Prime Minister Bob Hawke is replaced by Paul Keating.

The High Court delivers the Mabo Decision, which rules that indigenous native title does exist. This effectively extinguishes the concept of terra nullius.

Keating defeats John Hewson in the 1993 federal election;

The Northern Territory legalises voluntary euthanasia, but it is overruled by the federal government when Liberal MP Kevin Andrews proposes the Euthanasia Laws Bill 1996

The High Court hands down the Wik Decision, which holds that indigenous native title can survive the granting of pastoral leases.

Expelled Liberal MP Pauline Hanson forms the One Nation Party

A major strike results when Patrick Stevedores attempt to introduce non-union labour to reduce the influence of the Maritime Union of Australia

Both houses of the federal parliament pass a motion signifying both recognition of and regret at past treatment of indigenous Australians.

27th Olympic Games held in Sydney.

Australia celebrates centenary of Federation;

2002 Bali bombings, the deadliest act of terrorism in the history of Indonesia, killing 202 people, (including 88 Australians.

Australian military deployed to Iraq War to oust the Saddam Hussein regime for serial non-compliance with the 1991 Gulf War Peace Treaty.

A bomb explodes outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Asia.

Sydney beachside suburb of Cronulla sees a protest against the alleged bashing of a beach lifeguard, developing into an alcohol-fuelled, racially-charged riot.

The Commonwealth Games are held in Melbourne.

Sydney hosts APEC summit.

Kevin Rudd leads bi-partisan Parliamentary apology to the Stolen Generation.

Herald Sun | 30 August 2008 POTTS. Charles Henry Lyle. Our beautiful dad, we will always love and miss you. Your life and example were exemplary - thank you. Only one life t'will soon be passed, only what's done for Christ will last. Cherished dad of Bradley and Virginia, loving Gramps to Hanna, Levi, Delilah and Kohem. Herald Sun | 30 August 2008 POTTS. Charles Henry Lyle. Passed away peacefully Aug. 26 2008.Loving father to Jason and Michele. Loved gramps to Haley and Clinton, Daniel, Nicole and Madison. We thank God for the gift of your life. Father, teacher, mentor, guardian and guide. Herald Sun | 30 August 2008 POTTS. Charles (Lyle). To my darling grandfather, my precious Gramps. I cannot fathom that it's you I am writing this for. As it's always said, no words could ever emphasise enough what you meant and who you were. I want to say thank you, thank you so much. I am honoured to have you in my life for 21 years and so proud to say I am the granddaughter of Lyle Potts. You are such an amazing man and I am thankful for every amazing breath you took. I am thankful for what you gave Nanna and the life you shared. I am saddened to thank that I can't hold your hand, kiss your face and look over at you to see you wink, but I will always keep every part of you so close to me. My memories are overwhelming and I treasure them all. Thank you for always being there in every single way. From a baby to 21, there is nothing more I could ever have asked for. I love you Gramps, so very much - Noodle XOXO Herald Sun | 02 September 2008 POTTS Charles Henry Lyle Darling Dad of Aaron and Narelle. Adored Gramps of Cassandra, Danielle, Oliver and Tara, Samuel, Gabrielle, Madeleine and Elijah. Words cant explain our loss. See You Again Dad Love Azz Herald Sun | 02 September 2008 POTTS. Charles Henry Lyle. Passed away peacefully at his home in Moe on Aug. 26, 2008. Beloved son of Charlie and Beryl, loved brother of Pat and Barry (all dec.). The circle is no longer broken Herald Sun | 02 September 2008 POTTS. Charles Henry Lyle. My darling Dad, I've written to you before to express my love, and years later I still cant find words to say how I feel about a man who encompasses all that you mean to me. You live ALL that your heart spoke. Do it once - do it well You've graduated top of the class Dad. Love forever Your one and only Bronnie. Herald Sun | 02 September 2008 POTTS. Charles Henry Lyle. Passed away peacefully at his home in Moe on Aug. 26, 2008 aged 76 Dearly beloved husband, most caring friend and steadfast companion of Annette for 551/2 years. Much loved and respected father of Warwick and Yvonne, Bronwyn, Nigel and Annette, Jason and Michele, Bradley and Virginia and Aaron and Narelle. Loved Gramps of 27 grandchildren. My darling Lyle, I thank and praise the Lord for the 551/2 years we have known and loved each other. We have shared so many things together and I will miss you so much. You will always be near in my thoughts and the deepest recesses of my heart will always belong to you. ``Beautiful are the feet of him who brings good news. Is. 52:7