History of Important Religious and Political Events in Australia

  • Period: to

    1800-2023

  • Governor King Proclaims Tolerance of Catholics

    Governor King Proclaims Tolerance of Catholics

    While there were no sanctioned Catholic Priests in Australia until the 1820s the allowance of it paved the way for the Catholic Church to flourish.
  • The First Catholic Mass is Held in Australia

    The First Catholic Mass is Held in Australia

    Convict Priest Father Dixon was permitted to hold mass in Australia under heavy restrictions. Less than a year later the privilege was revoked. However, the work of Father Dixon paved the way for fathers O'Flynn and Connolly to be allowed to practise in Australia.
  • Father Jeramiah O'Flynn Comes to Australia

    Father Jeramiah O'Flynn Comes to Australia

    1817 - Father Jeremiah O'Flynn comes to Australia
    Father O'Flynn came to Australia because he knew we needed a priest, The Catholics loved him but he was practicing illegally and was deported with in the year. This kickstarted Catholicism in Australia and led to the next event.
  • Father Therry Comes to Australia

    Father Therry Comes to Australia

    Father Therry came to Australia under Senior Priest Father Connolly. Father Therry soon became a celebrated figure among Australians and helped improve the lives of many convicts as well as building the first church.
  • The Gold Rush Begins

    The Gold Rush Begins

    A prospector discovers gold near Bathurst. The Gold rush grows Australia's population from 438,000 to 1.7 million in 20 years. This helped Australia become the melting pot it is today.
  • The Saint Vincent de Paul Society Meets in Australia for the First Time

    The Saint Vincent de Paul Society Meets in Australia for the First Time

    The Saint Vincent de Paul Society helps hundreds of thousands of people every year. They first met in Melbourne at Saint Francis' Church.
  • Women in South Australia Get the Right to Vote

    Women in South Australia Get the Right to Vote

    he Adult Suffrage Bill gave women the right to vote as well as stand for parliament. The bill became official in 1895 when it was signed by Queen Victoria. This led to gender equality in Australia.
  • Australia is Federated

    Australia is Federated

    When Australia was federated all women apart from Aboriginal women were given the right to vote. Federation made it easier for Australia to become a fairer and more consistent government.
  • The Gallipoli Landing

    The Gallipoli Landing

    16,000 Australians and New Zealander soldiers landed at Gallipoli. The aim was for the British to capture Constantinople to relieve pressure on the Russians. The mission was a failure.
  • The Referendum to Give Aboriginals Citizenship Passes

    The Referendum to Give Aboriginals Citizenship Passes

    Prior to the Referendum Aboriginal people were considered fauna. The referendum gave them official citizenship of Australia.
  • Pope Paul VI Becomes the First Pope to Visit Australia

    Pope Paul VI Becomes the First Pope to Visit Australia

    Pope Paul VI was the first Pope to visit Australia, paving the way for other Popes to do the same,
  • Homosexuality Decriminalised in South Australia

    Homosexuality Decriminalised in South Australia

    In 1972 a gay man named Doctor George Duncan was murdered by a group of men who were believed to have been police at the River Torrens, a well known meeting spot for gay people. This led to a state wide discussion about decriminalisation.
  • Mary MacKillop is Canonized

    Mary MacKillop is Canonized

    Mary Mackillop was the first Australian Saint to be canonized. She educated the poor and helped expose a pedophile priest.
  • The Campaign for the Voice Starts

    The Campaign for the Voice Starts

    Aboriginal leaders rejected an offer to recognise Aboriginal people in the constitution, opting instead to push for representation in Parliament. The Voice Referendum will be held in 2023.
  • Gay Marriage is Legalised

    Gay Marriage is Legalised

    The legalisation of gay marriage gave gay couples the same rights as heterosexual couples. This was important because it gave gay and hetreosexual couples the same protections.