-
Australia is colonised by the British
Australia is colonised by the British which now commands an empire upon which "the sun never sets". -
Germany becomes a federated nation.
Germany becomes a federated nation after war against France unified the 25 different states. The Germans defeated the French and took the French province of Alsace-Lorraine -
Gas heaters
Gas heaters are introduced. -
Wilhelm II becomes Emperor of Germany
Wilhelm II becomes Emperor (Kaiser) of Germany wishing to turn Germany into a great imperial power "with its own place in the sun". Other great powers at the time, especially Britain and France, feared that Germany might dominate the world and take away their colonies. -
Sir Henry Parkes - Issue of federation
Sir Henry Parkes renewed the issue of Federation in a speech at Tenterfield. -
Representatives meet at Melbourne
A meeting of representatives from the colonies met in Melbourne and agreed to call a constitutional convention. -
First National Australasian Convention
The first National Australasian Convention (meeting of representatives of all six colonies and New Zealand) met in Sydney. The first draft of the australian constitution was drawn up. -
Death of Sir Henry Parkes
Sir Henry Parkes passes away. The first silent movie is shown in Sydney. -
Period: to
Second National Australasian Convention - First referendum
1897 Mar - The second National Australasian Convention began.
1898 Jan - The Convention adopted the draft constitution.
1898 Jun - The first referendum of federation was held in NSW, Vic, SA and TAS, A "No" vote in NSW.
Gramophone is first played in Australia -
Second Referendum
The Second Referendum in all colonies except WA. All voted "Yes".
First successful wireless transmission is heard in Australia -
Period: to
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act - WA
June - The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act was passed by the British Parliament.
July WA voted to join the federation. -
Period: to
Commonwealth of Australia - Australian Flag
Jan - The sis Australian colonies federated to create the Commonwealth of Australia.
Edmund Barton became the first Prime Minister
Mar - Australia's population reached 3 824 913. Aborigines were nor included in the census (this will remain unchanged until 1967) or given the right to vote (this will remain unchanged until 1962).
May - The first federal parliament was opened in Melbourne by the Duke of York, later King George V.
Sep - The winning design for the new Australian flag was announced. -
White Australian Policy
The White Australian Policy came into being with the passing of the Immigration Restriction Act and the Pacific Islander Labourers Act. -
Australian women vote
Australian women are among the first in the world to be given the right to vote. British women do not get the same voting rights until 1928. -
Conciliation and Arbitration Court
The Conciliation and Arbitration Court is set up to settle disputes between employers and employees. Electric street light is first introduced in Sydney. -
Potential war over Morocco
A war almost breaks out over Morocco (Africa) between Britain and France against Germany. This happens again in 1911. -
Bondi Lifesaving - Naval race
The Surf Lifesaving Club was founded at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
A naval race between Britain and Germany begins with each country trying to match the other's naval technology. Britain remains the more dominant European power. -
The Harvester Judgement
The Harvester Judgement developed the concept of a basic wage which was the minimum a man could be paid. This had to be enough to support a man, his wife and 3 children. Women and non-white workers were not entitled to the basic wage and were therefore paid much less than white men. Sydney and Melbourne are connected by telephone. -
Period: to
New capital -Potential war
Aug - The site for the new capital was selected.
May - The Australian coat of arms was officially adopted.
Federal old age and invalid pensions were introduced.
A war almost breaks out over Bosnia-Herzegovina (Eastern Europe) between Germany and Austria on one side and Russia and Serbia on the other. -
First Flight
First flight in Australia -
Maternity Allowance - Car registration
A maternity allowance (baby bonus) was introduced.
The government brought in car registration and driving licences sine car ownership increased to 37 000 (cars were only affordable for the rich). The speed limit at the time was 19km/hr. -
Canberra
The name 'Canberra' was proclaimed for the new national capital. -
Period: to
Mail by Plane - Austro-Hungarian Heir Assassinated - Australia in WWI
Mail is delivered from Melbourne to Sydney for the first time by plane, taking 3 days and making 7 stops.
Jun - The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, is assassinated in Sarajevo (in Bosnia) by Gavrillo Princip who wants the Bosnians to be free of the control of the Austro-Hungarian empire. This sparks World War One
Aug - The outbreak of WWI. Australia becomes involved because it remains a member of the British empire.
