1979 In Australia

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1979 In

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1979

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1979 In Australia

1978 In Australia ,
Other Events Of 1979 ,
1980 In Australia and the
Timeline Of Australian History .

INCUMBENTS

Prime Minister - Malcolm Fraser

Governor General - Zelman Cowen

Premier Of New South Wales - Neville Wran

Premier Of South Australia - Don Dunstan (til February 15), David Tonkin (til 18 September), John Bannon

Premier Of Queensland - Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen

Premier Of Tasmania - Harry Holgate

Premier Of Western Australia - Charles Court

Premier Of Victoria - Rupert Hamer

Chief Minister Of The Northern Territory - Paul Everingham

EVENTS

Neville Bonner is announced as Australian Of The Year

June 9 - A fire at Luna Park Sydney kills 7. The park is forced to close later in the year.

July 11 - The American space station Skylab crashes in Western Australia

October 19 - The Australian Federal Police is established

ARTS AND LITERATURE

Wes Walters wins the Archibald Prize for his portrait of Philip Adams

FILM

My Brilliant Career , directed by Gillian Armstrong , is released

TELEVISION

The TV series ''Against the Wind'' is first televised

SPORT

Hyperno wins the Melbourne Cup

Victoria wins the Sheffield Shield

''Bumblebee IV'' takes line honours in the Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race . ''Screw Loose'' is the handicap winner

England defeats Australia 5-1 in The Ashes

Australia wins the Admiral's Cup

Jack Newton wins the Australian Open golf championship

BIRTHS

January 2 - Robert Newbery , diver

March 4 - Geoff Huegill , swimmer

April 4 - Heath Ledger , actor

April 9 - Graeme Brown , cyclist

July 7 - Loudy Tourky , diver

August 23 - Lance Whitnall , Australian Rules footballer

DEATHS

April 15 - David Brand (b. 1912), Premier of Western Australia

June 6 - Ion Idriess (b. 1889), author