1959 in Australia

Infobox Australian year
monarch = Elizabeth II
governor-general = William Slim
pm =Robert Menzies
population = 10,056,479
australian =
elections =SA, WA, NSW, TAS"See also:"
1958 in Australia,
other events of 1959,
1960 in Australia and the
Timeline of Australian history.

Incumbents

*Prime Minister - Robert Menzies
*Governor General - William Slim, 1st Viscount Slim
*Premier of New South Wales - Joseph Cahill died in office 22 October; succeeded by Robert Heffron
*Premier of South Australia - Sir Thomas Playford
*Premier of Queensland - Frank Nicklin
*Premier of Tasmania - Eric Reece
*Premier of Western Australia - Albert Hawke succeeded by David Brand on 2 April
*Premier of Victoria - Henry Bolte

Events

* 26 January (Australia Day) - Darwin was granted city status
* February - major floods in Queensland [http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld/fld_history/floodsum_1950.shtml]
* March - formal construction of the Sydney Opera House began
* 4 June - the Soviet embassy in Canberra was reopened. It had been closed since 29 April 1954 as a result of the Petrov Affair [http://www.asio.gov.au/About/Timeline/Content/main.htm]
* August and September - Princess Alexandra toured Australia [http://150.theage.com.au/view_bestofarticle.asp?straction=update&inttype=1&intid=523]
* September - Australian National University building an "Atom Smasher" [http://150.theage.com.au/view_bestofarticle.asp?straction=update&inttype=1&intid=527]
*23 September the M/S Princess of Tasmania Australia's first passenger Roll-on/roll-off diesel ferry makes maiden voyage across Bass Strait.
* November - Donald Bradman batted for 15 minutes in a demonstration. He retired from cricket. [http://150.theage.com.au/view_bestofarticle.asp?straction=update&inttype=1&intid=519]

cience & Technology

Arts and literature

* William Dobell wins the Archibald Prize with a portrait of "Dr Edward MacMahon"
* "The Big Fellow" by Vance Palmer wins the Miles Franklin Literary Award

Film

"On the Beach" starring Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner was shot around Melbourne. The film was based on the novel by Nevil Shute.

Television

"Six O'Clock Rock" screened on the Australian Broadcasting Commission's channel. It was compered by Johnny O'Keefe and was the ABC's response to "Bandstand" on Channel Nine.

port

* Cricket
** New South Wales wins the Sheffield Shield
** England toured Australia in the summer of 1958/59 for The Ashes; Australia won the series 4-0.

* Football
** Brisbane Rugby League premiership: Northern Suburbs defeated Brothers 24-18
** New South Wales Rugby League premiership: St. George defeated Manly-Warringah 20-0
** South Australian National Football League premiership: won by Port Adelaide
** Victorian Football League premiership: Melbourne defeated Essendon 115-78

* Golf
** Australian Open: won by Kel Nagle

* Horse Racing
** "Regal Wench" wins the Caulfield Cup
** "Noholme" wins the Cox Plate
** "Fine and Dandy" wins the Golden Slipper
** "Macdougal" wins the Melbourne Cup

* Motor Racing
** Jack Brabham wins the 1959 Formula One Drivers' Championship
** The Australian Grand Prix was held at Longford, Tasmania and won by Stan Jones driving a Maserati

* Tennis
** Australian Open men's singles: Alex Olmedo defeats Neale Fraser 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3
** Australian Open women's singles: Mary Carter defeats Renee Schuurman 6-2 6-3
** Davis Cup: Australia defeats the United States 3-2 in the 1959 Davis Cup final

* Yachting
** "Solo" takes line honours and "Cherana " wins on handicap in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Births

* January 31 — Anthony LaPaglia, actor
* February 8 — Andrew Hoy, equestrian rider
* February 12 — Sigrid Thornton, actress
* February 24 — Mike Whitney, cricketer
* June 5 — Mark Ella, rugby union player
* July 21 — Paul Vautin, rugby league player and media personality
* July 26 — Gary Honey, long jumper
* August 19 — Rodney Adler, businessman
* August 30 — Mark "Jacko" Jackson, Australian footballer and actor
* October 6 — Robyn Maher, basketball player
* October 11 — Wayne Gardner, motorcycle and touring car racer
* September 4 — Kevin Harrington, Australian actor
* December 1 — Wally Lewis, rugby league player
* December 12 — Christine Stanton, high jumper
* December 15 — Greg Matthews, cricketer

Deaths

* February 22 - Harold Hardwick (b. 1888), freestyle swimmer
* June 20 - Sir Ian Clunies Ross (b. 1899), scientist
* August 8 - Albert Namatjira (b. 1902), Aboriginal artist noted for his central Australian landscapes painted in water-colours
* October 14 - Errol Flynn (b. 1909), Hollywood movie star born in Tasmania
* October 14 - Jack Davey radio comedian and quiz show host
* October 22 - Joseph Cahill (b. 1891), Premier of New South Wales
* November 10 - Gertrude Bodenweiser Australian choreographer [http://www.australiadancing.org/apps/ad?action=ViewSubject&id=14&resourceType=Manuscript]
* November 11 - Charles Chauvel (b. 1897), film maker
* November 24 - Dally Messenger (b. 1883), rugby footballer
* December 18 - Edouard Borovansky, Czech born ballet dancer and choreographer; founder of the Borovansky Australian Ballet

ee also

*1959
*1950s