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Key events in Melbourne's history
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Melbourne is founded
John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner founded Melbourne.
(I couldn't find the actual date, only the year. This is important because if this didn't happen, we woulcn't be here today. -
Melbourne becomes a city
Queen Victoria declares Melbourne a city. This gave us a small amount of independance from Sydney, but we were still part of NSW at the time. -
Melbourne Hospital is founded
Melbourne Hospital founded. (Later called the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 1935). I couldn't find an accurate date for this one either. This was important because it allowed Melbourne's growing population to recieve medical care. This was before a sewage system and so disease was very common. -
Gold rush begins!
Gold rush begins when gold is found at Buninyong. This was important because Melbourne became one of the richest cities in the world and Melbourne's population exploded into the thousands. -
First steam railway journey in Australia
It was from Melbourne Terminus (Flinders Street) to Sandridge (Port Melbourne). Melbourne is now using steam trains, which can move large amounts of people/things very quickly at the time. This also allowed people to travel around Victoria very quickly, which would have taken days otherwise. -
Stonemasons win
The Stonemasons win the 8-hour working day right. This gave all the workers a balanced day and lifestyle, where they worked for 8 hours, slept for 8 hours and had 8 hours to do whatever they wanted. -
Royal Exhibition Building
The Royal Exhibition Building is opened The Royal Exhibition Building (used to be Melbourne International Exhibition, then later the Parliament of Australia) was used as the Parliament building of Australia from 1901 before Parliament was moved to Canberra. It's now a World Heritage Site. -
City streets first lit by electric lighting
Melbourne's city streets are now being lit using electric lighting. Electric lighting is more reliable than gas and Melbourne is now starting to use electric power more, and eventually powers all sorts of things. -
Sewage System (at last!)
First part of the mains sewage system becomes operational. People are no longer having to dump waste in the Yarra/surrounding areas as it can now be delt with using the sewage system. This also reduced the amount of diseases caused by the dumping of waste. -
Commonwealth of Australia is formed
The commonwealth of Australia is formed with Melbourne being the capital city, and the most populated. Melbourne is now independant from England, and we can now make our own rules/laws (most of the time). This is a giant step forward in our country's development. -
Electric trams!
The first electric trams are opened in Melbourne. Electric trams are a huge help to people that are trying to get from one place to another, especially when they need to move quickly without any interuptions. This also lead to electric trains, etc. which is a huge step forward in transportation in Melbourne. -
Federal Parliament is moved to Canberra
Federal Parliament is moved to Canberra, and Canberra is the new capital of Australia. This stopped Melbourne and Sydney fighting over who was the capital city (apparently). -
Moomba!
The first Moomba parade is held. This is a very multicultural event (and still is today), it shows that Melbourne was a very diverse place in the 1950's and that's continuded on. -
Olympic Games!
The Olympic Games are held in Melbourne. This brought lots of tourism to Melbourne and it also showed the rest of the world what Melbourne was like and probably increased population a little. -
City Loop
The city loop subway line is opened. People can now travel around Melbourne easily without disrupting those above the ground. -
Rialto Towers
The Rialto Towers are completed and becomes Melbourne's tallest building, and the tallest building in the Southern hemisphere. This shows that Melbourne is one of the most advanced cities in the world (in terms of architecture and deisgn). -
Docklands
The development of the Docklands area begins. After many years of abandonment, people have started to find the Docklands appealing again. So now we have extremely pricey residentual areas, and businesses that can afford to work there. -
Crown Casino
Crown Casino and the entertainment complex opens. This is Melbourne's first gambling centre. One of Melbourne's (if not the biggest) entertainment complex attracts people from all over Australia, and also those from overseas. It generates many jobs here in Melbourne, and is good for the economy. -
Bolte Bridge
The Bolte Bridge is open for traffic. This allowed people to travel to and from places, and allowed people from opposite sites of the city to get to where they wanted even quicker than before. -
CityLink freeways open
The CityLink freeways are opened in Melbourne, they include two new tunnels, a cross-harbour bridge and electronic tolling. Melbournians can now travel from A to B even quicker than before, for a price. This is great because it cuts travel time. -
Commonwealth Games
The commonwealth games were held here. This allowed people to see and experience Melbourne, and brought lots of tourism here, which boosted the economy. -
Melbourne's 200th Birthday!
Happy Birthday Melbourne! This is important because we can see how far Melbourne has come alone since its foundation 200 years ago,