Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1891
A violent shearers' strike around Barcaldine, where 1000 men camp around the town, establishes a
labour legend. The confrontation leads to the birth of the Australian Labor Party.
1901
The new federal government removes kanakas from Queensland, in line with the White Australia
policy. Mortality figures for these Pacific Islanders were almost five times those of whites.
1902
The first trans-Pacific cable between Australia and Canada is completed, terminating on the Gold
Coast. The cable also allows Australia to join the England cable link.
1908
Queensland's first national park is established on the western slope of Tamborine Mountain. Today,
the national park stretches onto the Tamborine plateau and into surrounding foothills.
1915
In line with Australia's close ties to Britain, Australian and New Zealand troops (the Anzacs) join the
Allied invasion of Turkey at Gallipoli.
1923
Vegemite, a savoury, yeasty breakfast spread, is invented. Given it is a byproduct of brewing that had
gone to waste, it is a modern marketing triumph.
1928
Reverend John Flynn starts the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Cloncurry - an invaluable service that
now has networks around the country.
1929
The Great Depression: thousands go hungry and one in three households experiences unemploy-
ment. Irene Longman becomes the first woman elected to Queensland's parliament.
1937
Thousands of cane toads are released into the wild in an effort to control pests damaging Queens-
land's sugar cane fields. The action proves disastrous to Australian biodiversity.
