1948 in Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following lists events that happened during 1948 in Australia.
| 1948 in Australia | |
|---|---|
| Monarch | George VI |
| Governor-General | William McKell |
| Prime minister | Ben Chifley |
| Population | 7,708,761 |
| Elections | TAS |
| |||||
| Decades: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| See also: | |||||
State Premiers
- Monarch – George VI
- Governor General – William McKell
- Prime Minister – Ben Chifley
- Chief Justice – Sir John Latham
- Premier of New South Wales – James McGirr
- Premier of Queensland – Ned Hanlon
- Premier of South Australia – Thomas Playford IV
- Premier of Tasmania – Edward Brooker (until 25 February), then Robert Cosgrove
- Premier of Victoria – Thomas Hollway
- Premier of Western Australia – Ross McLarty
State Governors
Events
- 23 January – De Havilland Australia conducts the first flight of its 3 engined Drover transport aircraft at Bankstown Airport.
- 19 February – An Avro Lincoln bomber crashes at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, killing 16 Royal Australian Air Force personnel.
- 25 February – Robert Cosgrove is reinstated as Premier of Tasmania after being cleared of corruption charges on 22 February.
- 8 May – Margaret McIntyre becomes the first woman elected to the Parliament of Tasmania. She is killed in a plane crash later in the year.
- 29 May – A federal referendum is held, asking one question on Rents and Prices. It is not carried.
- 1 July – The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is introduced.
- 21 August – A state election is held in Tasmania. The result is a hung parliament, but Robert Cosgrove and Labor retain power with the support of an independent, William Wedd.
- 2 September – The Douglas DC-3 Lutana crashes near Nundle, New South Wales, killing all 13 on board.
- 21 September – H.V. Evatt becomes President of the United Nations General Assembly.
- 29 November – The first Holden car, the model 48-215, popularly known as the FX, rolls off the assembly line. The on-road cost was approximately £760.
- 1 December – The body of an unidentified man is found on a beach in Adelaide, becoming known as the Somerton Man.
- 16 December – HMAS Sydney is commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as its first aircraft carrier.
Arts and literature
- William Dobell wins the Archibald Prize with his portrait of Margaret Olley[1]
Sport
- 18 September – Minor premiers Western Suburbs win the 1948 NSWRFL season, claiming their first premiership since 1934 after defeating Balmain 8–5. North Sydney finish in last place, claiming the wooden spoon.
- Morna takes line honours and Westward wins on handicap in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
- Rimfire wins the Melbourne Cup
Births
- 5 January – Wally Foreman, football commentator (died 2006)
- 23 January – Glenn Wheatley, musician and talent manager (died 2022)
- 24 January – Brian Langton, NSW politician (died 2023)[4]
- 25 January – Ros Kelly, politician
- 3 February – Les Twentyman, social campaigner (died 2024)[5]
- 10 February – Mike Pratt, politician
- 16 February – Jeff Guess, poet
- 2 March – Jeff Kennett, Premier of Victoria (1992–1999)
- 13 March – Rick Amor, artist
- 19 March – Vince Lovegrove, singer, journalist and band manager (died 2012)
- 27 March – Rosemary Follett, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (1989, 1991–1995)
- 31 March – Graham Cornes, Australian rules footballer
- 2 April – Jennifer Rowe, children's author
- 29 April – Leslie Howard, musician
- 15 May – Muriel Porter, Anglican laywoman
- 28 May – Michael Field, Premier of Tasmania (1989–1992)
- 11 June – Pat Wilson, singer and journalist
- 21 June – Lionel Rose, boxer (died 2011)
- 30 June – Galarrwuy Yunupingu, Aboriginal leader (died 2023)
- 15 July – Richard Franklin, film director (died 2007)
- 24 July – Joan London, writer
- 7 August – Greg Chappell, cricketer
- 18 August – Richard Tracey, Australian military and civil judge and barrister (died 2019)
- 19 August – Robert Hughes, actor
- 20 August – John Noble, actor
- 24 August - Richard Norden, soldier and police officer (died 1972)
- 12 September – Max Walker, cricketer and VFL footballer (died 2016)
- 18 September – Christopher Skase, fugitive businessman (died 2001)
- 22 September – Denis Burke, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory (1999–2001)
- 25 September – Vicki Viidikas, poet (died 1998)
- 26 September – Olivia Newton-John, entertainer (died 2022)
- 3 October – Rob Langer, cricketer (died 2023)
- 4 October – Bob Morris, racing driver
- 5 October – Jim Waley, journalist
- 8 October – Warren Truss, leader of the National Party
- 19 October – Meg Lees, Democrat senator for South Australia
- 30 October – Garry McDonald, actor
- 5 November – Malcolm Milne, Olympic skier
- 6 November – Geoff Prosser, politician
- 14 November – Ian Stanley, golfer (died 2018)
- 15 November – James Kemsley, cartoonist (died 2007)
- 22 November – Gary Dempsey, Australian rules footballer
- 1 December – John Quigley, WA politician
- 2 December – Patricia Hewitt, British Labour Party politician[6]
- 5 December – Cheryl Kernot, politician
- 12 December – Kim Beazley, politician
- 15 December – Cassandra Harris, actor (died 1991)
- 29 December – Michael White, psychotherapist (died 2008)
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