1956 in Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
See also: 1955 in Australia, other events of 1956, 1957 in Australia and the Timeline of Australian history.
Contents |
[edit] Incumbents
- Prime Minister - Robert Gordon Menzies began his second term of Office on 10th December 1949 and was in office until 20th January 1966. He was leader of the Liberal Party. His nickname was "Pig Iron Bob"
- Governor General - William Slim
- Premier of New South Wales - Joseph Cahill
- Premier of South Australia - Thomas Playford
- Premier of Queensland - Vince Gair
[edit] Events
- November 22 - The 1956 Summer Olympics opened in Melbourne. The opening ceremony was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with 107,700 people watching.
- The Murray River flooded (the biggest flood in recorded history), affecting many towns near the river.
[edit] Sport
- Melbourne Cup winner in 1956 was Evening Peal ridden by Goerge Podmore Trained by E.D.Lawson
- Melbourne Football Club wins the VFL Grand Final (Australian Rules Football)
- New South Wales wins the Sheffield Shield
- Kurrewa IV takes line honours and Solo wins on handicap in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
- Rugby League Winners of Sydney Premiership St George defeated Balmain
- Australian Men's Tennis was won by Lew Hoad from NSW aged 22
- Australian Women's Tennis was won by Miss M Carter
[edit] Births
- January 8 - Mel Gibson, actor
- May 9 - Jana Wendt, journalist
