Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1967
Australia's Indigenous Aboriginal people are recognised as Australian citizens and granted the right
to vote.
1970
The Indian Pacific train completes its first trans-continental journey from Sydney to Perth.
1979
The Skylab space station crashes in the state's remote southeastern sector. Remnants are now at the
Esperance Museum.
1980s
The state becomes known as WA Inc, a reference to its image as a giant corporation intent on specu-
lation and profit.
1983
'Bondie' (Alan Bond) funds the racing yacht
Australia II,
which wins the America's Cup with its
secret winged keel. Bond is later jailed for corporate fraud.
1987
Sleepy Fremantle is transformed for Australia's first defence of America's Cup. Australia loses 5-0 to
the United States.
1990s
Aboriginal rock art (the Bradshaw paintings), featuring distinctive stick-like images, possibly the
earliest figurative painting, is found in the Kimberley. The stolen generations are formally recog-
nised.
1995
The Fremantle Dockers join the Australian Football League.
1998
One of Australia's most infamous trade union battles is waged in Fremantle between the Maritime
Union and Patrick Corporation (a stevedore company).
