1960s

  • Period: to

    1960

  • Perth: Philip Magalnir becomes the first Australian Aborigine to vote under the new Commonwealth electoral laws granting voting rights to Aborigines

  • London: Prime Minister Menzies declares that Australia is at war with Vietnam

  • Australia changes over to decimal currency.

  • Wave Hill: 200 hundred aborigines employed on the Wave Hill cattle station go on strike claiming a wage of $50 a week

  • The Federal Government announces it will set up the Office of Aboriginal Affairs

  • Portsea: Prime Minister Harold Holt disappears while swimming in heavy surf south of Melbourne. His body is never found