Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1883
Yarra Falls, a rock bridge spanning the Yarra at Customs House that divided fresh water from salt
and was used as a crossing, is removed by explosives.
1884
HV McKay's invention of the Sunshine stripper harvester in Ballarat makes leaps and bounds in the
efficient harvest of cereal crops, putting Australia on the map as a leading exporter of grain.
1901
Australia's collection of colonies become a nation. The Federation's first parliament is held at the
Royal Exhibition Building; parliament will sit in Melbourne for the next 27 years.
1923
Vegemite, a savoury sandwich spread and Australia's most enduring culinary quirk, is invented in
Melbourne, using autolysis to break down yeast cells from waste provided by Carlton & United Brew-
eries.
1925
The first Australian-built Ford Model Ts roll off an improvised production line in a disused wool store
in Geelong.
1928
Australia's first set of traffic lights begins operation at the junction of Collins and Swanston Sts in
Melbourne.
1930
A plucky young chestnut gelding called Phar Lap wins the Melbourne Cup. His winning streak en-
dears him to the nation and he remains one of the most popular exhibits in the Melbourne Museum.
1953
The first Italian Gaggia espresso machine is imported to Melbourne. Soon University Cafe in
Carlton, Pellegrini's in the city and Don Camillo in North Melbourne are serving the city's first cap-
puccinos.
1956
Melbourne hosts the summer Olympic Games. Despite this mark of sporting bonhomie, the event is
marked with political unrest due to the Suez crisis and the Soviet invasion of Hungary.
