Our aim is to contribute to our local and international community and through those efforts make the world a better place.

1973-74

Our President was Bert Robinson
Vice President was Wal Sneddon
The Prime Minister was Gough Whitlam

Rotary International President was William C. Carter of England

In August the club held a wine tasting to raise funds for the Far West Children’s Health Scheme. The night was a resounding success both socially & financially, with attendance of 250 persons raising $178. The club became interested in plans to establish a Field Study Centre at Pappinbarra. The proposed centre was designed to provide accommodation for 50 persons in 2 dormitory buildings, & an amenities block. Trails through the forest had already been mapped out. Brett Doyle was selected as the Youth Exchange Programme student to spend 1974 in South Africa. The Board of Directors decided to make the major project of the year the Wauchope District Memorial Hospital, & fund a four bed wing in the Hospital’s planned extensions. In March the club welcomed a GSE team from Japan, who stayed for 2 days. The changeover was held at the Wauchope RSL Club. Donations were made to Legacy, The Red Cross, The Spastic Centre, & Q-Robin. An additional amount of $200 was made to the Hospital Project. This $200 was a personal donation from Bill Edmonds who had won the Tiki Tour Competition. 100% attendees were Ken McLennon, Fred Frary, Andy Neal & Norm Drummond.

Australia’s first casino opens at Wrest Point in Hobart. The Federal voting age is lowered from 21 to 18 years. The Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub fire breaks out in Kings Cross. The first F-111 aircraft is delivered to the RAAF. The Opera House is officially opened by The Queen. Papua New Guinea is granted self-government prior to independence. Patrick White is named Australian of The Year. The Whitlam Government controversially purchases the painting “Blue Poles” by Jackson Pollock for $1.3 million. The film “Alvin Purple” is screened. “Gala Supreme” wins The Melbourne Cup. Kathy Freeman, Mathew Burke, George Gregan, Gordon Tallis, Susie O’Neil, Kieran Perkins, Louise Sauvage, & Steve Menzies are born. Arthur Fadden & Arthur Caldwell die. “Let’s get it on” by Marvin Gaye is the top pop song.
The Shire President was Cr. J. Abi-Saab.

1974-75

Our President was Wal Sneddon
Vice President was Bill Edmonds
Prime Minister was Gough Whitlam

The President of Rotary International was William R. Robbins of Florida USA

In October, club members travelled to Pappinbarra to erect tank stands for the Field Study Centre. Inbound YEP student, Petra Frenkin from Germany arrived for a 12 month hosting by the club. The annual Golf & Bowls day raised $1,000 for the Wauchope Hospital. This was handed over at an informal gathering in the Hospital’s new “Rotary Wing.” The wing consisted of two modern two-bed wards. In November the club sponsored free headlight & exhaust emission tests at local Holden dealership, Pearce & Henriksen’s. The “Learn To Drive” campaign continued at Wauchope High School, with 56 students gaining their driver’s licence. Just before Christmas the club organized a day out for the senior citizens. They were taken to Comboyne, entertained at the Service Club, & then enjoyed a barbeque lunch at Ellenborough Falls. In International Service the Club supported District 256’s project for a Mission School in Savii, Western Samoa. Alison Mooney was selected to attend the RYLA seminar, then invited to address the District Conference in Taree in March. In April, YEP student Petra was invited to give an address at the ANZAC Day Luncheon at the RSL Club. She was a great success with the Diggers present. Donations at the changeover totalled $2,273, the bulk of which went to The Wauchope Hospital. Others to benefit were the Red Cross, Legacy, Smith Family, Far West Children’s Health Scheme, Pappinbarra Field Centre & the “Darwin Cyclone Disaster Appeal.”

“Mungo Man” a 40,000-year-old skeleton is discovered in Lake Mungo. John Howard enters Parliament as a backbencher. “Bankcard” the first credit card is introduced. Cyclone Tracey devastates Darwin with 71 people losing their lives. Bernard Heinze is named Australian of The Year. “Countdown” screens for the first time. Unionists apply a “Green Ban” that saves “The Rocks” area of Sydney. Think Big wins the Melbourne Cup. Australia makes its first appearance in the FIFA World Cup. Andrew Johns, Wendell Sailor, Shane Webcke, Ricky Ponting & Emma George are born. The deaths occurred of Hudson Fysh, co-founder of Qantas, Frank Packer & former Governor General Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester. “Sweet Home Alabama” by “Lynrd Skynrd” is the top pop song.
The Shire President was Cr. J. Abi-Saab.

1975-76

Our President was Fred Frary
Vice President Was Andy Neal
The Prime Minister was Gough Whitlam, then Malcolm Fraser

Rotary International President was Ernesto Imbassahy de Bello of Brazil.

A Fun & Games day was held at the home of Richard & Margaret Marocco’s home, which raised $926.63, which went to the Wauchope Hospital & the Far West Children’s Health Scheme. The annual Golf & Bowls Day was held in September with takings of $1,000. The profit from the day went to the Wauchope Hospital for oxygen equipment. Phillip Kelly was selected to attend the RYLA seminar at the University of New England in early 1976. Extension to the Rotary Rooms was discussed, & the anticipated cost of $4,000 was provided by a bank loan, which was guaranteed by five members offering $500 as collateral. Bernie Versase supervised the work. In February, club caterer, Mrs. Maher & her helpers finished up after over 20 preparing & serving meals. The annual outing for seniors was to Trial Bay in April. Ian & John Jeffrey, Danny White & Joe Andrews provided entertainment. A brief student exchange took place between Wauchope & Trangie. The changeover was a huge success with over 150 Rotarians & guests. Donations included $1,400 to the Wauchope Hospital to purchase a humidicrib to replace the 15 year old one in use. Others to benefit from the $3,000 handout were Wauchope Soccer Club, Wauchope High School, Wauchope Public School, the newly established Wauchope Historical Society, the Far West Children’s Health Scheme, Beechwood Youth Club, Wauchope-Bonny Hills S.LS.C, Legacy, Q-Robin, Spastic Centre & the Red Cross. 100% attendance went to Eric Doyle, Richard Marocco, Andy Neal, Reg Stokes, Wal McLaren & Fred Frary.

The Tasman Bridge Disaster occurred when the MV Lake Illawarra struck the Tasman Bridge killing 7 crew & 5 motorists. 2JJ, the predecessor of Triple J begins broadcasting. Malcolm Fraser replaces Billy Sneddon as leader of the Federal Liberal Party. The Australian Embassy in Vietnam is closed prior to the fall of Saigon. Medibank is introduced in July. Australia Post & Telecom are formed out of The Post Master General’s Department; Papua New Guinea gains independence from Australia. Thirteen miners are killed in an underground explosion at the Kianga Coal Mine in Moura, Queensland. “The Balibo 5” are killed in Portuguese Timor by Indonesian troops. A major Australian Constitutional Crisis takes place when Governor General, Sir John Kerr dismisses Gough Whitlam, & installs Malcolm Fraser as interim Prime Minister. Fifteen people are killed in an arson attack on the Savoy Hotel in King’s Cross. John Cornforth shares the Nobel Prize for Chemistry, & is named Australian of The Year. Xavier Herbert’s novel, “Poor Fellow My Country” wins The Miles Franklin Award. “Picnic At Hanging Rock” directed by Peter Weir is released. Graham Kennedy said the crow call in a live ad during “The Graham Kennedy Show.” He was fired & banned for life by GTV-9. Think Big wins The Melbourne Cup. Natalie Cook, Jason Gillespie, Natalie Imbruglia, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Daniel Kowalski, David Hicks, Simon Katich, Petria Thomas, Stuart Clark & Mark Veduka are born. Jack Lang & Annette Kellerman die. “Get Down Tonight” by “KC & The Sunshine Band” is the top pop song.

The Shire President was Cr. J. Abi-Saab.

1976-77

Our President was Andy Neal
Vice President was Reg Stokes
The Prime Minister was Malcolm Fraser

Rotary International President was Robert Manchester 2nd from Ohio, USA

The extensions to the Club’s meeting rooms were completed in September. The Wauchope District Memorial Hospital donated a large frig, while furnishings, curtains & carpeting were provided, & a gas stove, which was purchased from Hastings District Hospital was installed. Responding to a request from the Department of Labour & Industry, 16 male & 1 female student were billeted for one week. The students from Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Western Samoa, Indonesia & Singapore, were attending an International Training Course. Courses such as these were set up after the Second World War by the International Training Institute as part of the Commonwealth Government’s Foreign Policy. The aim was to train selected personnel in the fields of local government, education, nursing & business operations where opportunities were not available in their own countries. The trainee’s stay overlapped the visit by the District Governor, Gordon Rowe, & they were invited as guests to a Club dinner with the DG. In August, YEP student, Ruth Gleeson from Colorado arrived for a 12-month stay. In September a well attended career night was held at the Wauchope High School. Following this, Fred Frary constructed a display unit for careers information, & donated it to the school. The annual Golf & Bowls Day was it’s usual success raising $1,079. A four-drawer filing cabinet was purchased from The Bank of NSW for $20. In International Service the Club raised funds for a District 265 World Community Service Project to upgrade facilities at the Onamliga Mission Station in the Eastern Highlands of New Guinea. In March, Mrs. Baker cooked & served her final meal for the Club. Catering was taken over by Reg Stokes & Bill Edmonds, with an occasional Chinese meal being provided by Henry Young. A successful first clothing collection for The Smith Family was held, with over 2 tonnes received. At the changeover, despite the Club still owing $4,000 for the extensions, donations totalling $1,400 were made, These included $400 to the Rotary Youth Centre Management Committee, $400 to the Wauchope District Hospital, $60 to Legacy, & $20 each to the Red Cross, the Far West Children’s Health Scheme, the Spastic Centre & Q-Robin.

The Family Law Act comes into effect. Elizabeth Evatt is sworn in as the first Chief Justice of The Family Court. Neville Wran becomes Premier of NSW. Cigarette & tobacco advertising are banned on radio & TV. “Blue Hills,” the longest running ABC radio serial ends after 32 years. The Royal Australian Navy Grumman aircraft fleet are destroyed by arson in Nowra. Edward (Weary) Dunlop is named Australian of The Year. Australia’s population reaches 13,892,995. The films, “Don’s Party” & “Storm Boy” are released. Mining ends on Fraser Island. “The Sullivans” & “The Young Doctors” are aired on the Nine Network. “Van Der Hum” wins The Melbourne Cup. Australia defeats the West Indies 4-1 in the cricket tests. Casey Chambers, Megan Gale, Mark Webber, Marcus Ambrose, Brett Kimmorley, Mark Philippoussis, Brett Lee & Matt Welsh are born. Gladys Moncrieff & Bert Oldfield pass away. “Play That Funky Music” by “Wild Cherry” is the top pop song.
The Shire President was Cr. J Abi-Saab.

1977-78
1977 was the Club’s Silver Jubilee year. For information on this milestone for the club, refer to “The Golden Anniversary” link.

Our President was Reg Stokes
Vice President was Eric Doyle
The Prime Minister was Malcolm Fraser

Rotary International President was W. Jack Davis of Bermuda.

Club membership fees rose to $40 per annum, & the District number was changed from 265 to 965. In August the club welcomed YEP student Signhill Arneson from Norway. For a number of days, the Club also hosted 12 students from Papua New Guinea, 2 Solomon Islanders, 1 Kenyan & 1 Fijian under the auspices of the International Training Institute. The annual bowls & golf day raised $1,000 for Bundaleer Nursing Home. Robert Howe, a member of the Port Macquarie Rotaract Club was selected to attend the RYLA seminar at the University of New England. Bill Edmonds, Reg Stokes & Jack Parsons continued to prepare & serve the Club’s meals. The savings that resulted meant the Club’s overdraft could be paid off quicker. February was highlighted with a combined ladies’ night with the Rotary Clubs of Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie West & Laurieton, at East Port Bowling Club to welcome a GSE team from District 136, Iceland. In March the Club held a successful wine tasting & bottling night, with much wine consumed, & bottles sold. The club held it’s annual ANZAC Day meeting in the Club’s rooms, & catered for 200 members of the Radiographers’ Association Convention at “Timbertown.” At the changeover, donations included $1,000 to Bundaleer Nursing Home, $400 to Wauchope Hospital, $100 to Legacy, & $50 each to the Red Cross, Q-Robin, & The Far West Children’s Health Scheme.

Australia’s only suicide by aircraft takes place when a disgruntled former employee of Cornellan Airways took the lives of 5 people & himself. Australia experiences it’s worst railway disaster at Granville in which 83 people died. The Federal Court of Australia begins to exert its authority. A referendum is held & questions on Senate casual vacancies, referendums, & retirement of judges are passed. A Plebiscite decides that “Advance Australia Fair” is to be the National Anthem. The Office of Commonwealth Ombudsman is established. Anti-drugs campaigner Donald McKay disappears. The Tasman Bridge in Hobart re-opens after the disaster that saw a part of it collapse. The Coalition government of Joh Bjelke-Peterson in Queensland is returned for a fourth successive term. Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser is returned to office for the 2nd time. Soap Operas “Bell Bird”, “Number 96” & “The Box” are cancelled. The Australian Soccer League kicks off becoming the first Australian football code to become National. Allan Moffat & Colin Bond finish 1-2 in the Bathurst 1000 motor race. “Gold & Black” wins The Melbourne Cup. Cadel Evans, Jason Akermanis, Darren Lockyer, Garth Tander, Geoff Ogilvy, Schapelle Corby, Michael Klim & Brad Haddin are born. Actor Peter Finch dies. “Dancing Queen” by Abba is the top pop song.
The Shire President was Cr. J. Abi-Saab.

1978-79

Our President was Eric Doyle
Vice President was Bernie Versace.
The Prime Minister was Malcolm Fraser

Rotary International President was Clem Renouf of Nambour Queensland.

Fundraising for Bundaleer was made a priority for the year. The annual Services Clubs’ Ball, which had not been held for some time, was revived, & all proceeds set aside for Bundaleer. In August, YEP student Keith Norum from West Virginia arrived to spend 6 months in Wauchope, & the following 6 months in Bellingen. Club members were still catering for the weekly dinners, & savings made resulted in $1,200 being paid off on the bank loan. Our Club & the Lions Club combined for a Melbourne Cup night, which raised $174 for Bundaleer. In February the club organized a bus trip to Laurieton for the seniors, & in March welcomed a GSE team from Oklahoma. The annual golf & bowls day made a profit of $830, which was donated to the Wauchope District Hospital. In April, Wauchope & the Rotary Clubs of Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie West & Laurieton made a decision to establish a Tourist Information Centre at Kew, as part of the celebrations for Rotary Internationals’ 75th Anniversary. Council had abandoned the project some years earlier due to expected costs. In May, a working bee saw repairs & a general sprucing up carried out in Sister City Park. Over 4 tonnes of clothing was collected for the Smith Family. Ralda Carter was selected as our YEP student to spend 12 months in South Africa. At the changeover held at the Wauchope RSL Club, donations of $50 were made to the Far West Children’s Health Scheme, $25 to the Red Cross, $50 to Q-Robin & $25 to Legacy. Awards for 100% attendance went to Peter Hall, Andy Neal, Bernie Versace, Keith Dark, Richard Marocco & Eric Doyle.

The Sydney Hilton bombing kills 3 & injures 11 others. Cyclone Alby kills 5 in Western Australia. Australia’s Ken Warby sets a world water speed record at Blowering Dam in NSW. November 21st is the last day of commercial whaling in Australia. The last whale caught by an Australian company was the day before. Brett Whiteley wins the Archibald Prize. “Arwon” wins The Melbourne Cup. Apollo wins the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Brooke Hanson, Ben Cousins, Kate Ritchie, Harry Kewell, & Matt Shirvington are born. Sir Robert Menzies, Johnny O’Keefe & Robert Heffron pass away. Australia’s population is 14,192, 234. “Last Dance” by Donna Summer is the top pop song.
The Shire President was Cr. J. J. Steinmetz for 3 months then Cr. J. Abi-Saab.

1979-80

Our President was Bernie Versace
Vice President was Tom Ibbotson
The Prime Minister was Malcolm Fraser.

Rotary International President was James L. Bomar Jr. from Tennessee.

The 1st community services for the year were participation in the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal, & catering at the Bundaleer Picnic Races. The first working bee for the planned Kew centre is held in September. The club gave support to District 265’s I.P.A.C project, “Cattle for dairy development” in Lamkana, India. A poor turnout saw the annual bowls & golf day raise only $600. In January the Club welcomed YEP student Seung Yeon Kim from Pusan, South Korea. In February a combined Rotary Clubs 75th Anniversary of R.I. Ball was held, & an orchestra from Sydney was engaged for the night. Regular working bees for the Kew Centre were organised by Bill Russell throughout the year. At the changeover, President Bernie praised Bill’s efforts & stated that not only was the project a great success, but it provided great fellowship. Donations made included
$600 to the Kew Centre, $50 to Wauchope Junior Cricket & $90 to the Rotary Foundation.

Neville Bonner is announced as the Australian of The Year. A fire at Lunar Park kills 7, closing the park. Commonwealth Death Duties are abolished. The American space station, Skylab crashes in WA. The inaugural meeting of The Farmers Federation is held. Fourteen coal miners die in an explosion in Appin, NSW. The Australian Federal Police is formed. “60 Minutes” begins on the Nine Network, & “Prisoner” airs for the first time on the 0-10 network. “Hyperno” wins The Melbourne Cup. Australia wins The Admiral’s Cup yacht race. Jack Newton wins The Australian Open Golf. The National Basketball League is formed. Geoff Huegill & Heath Ledger are born. Author Ion Idriess, & former premier of WA, David Brand pass away. Australian women are granted maternity leave. Kakadu National Park & The Great Barrier Reef are proclaimed. “YMCA” by “The Village People” is the top pop song.
The Shire President is Cr. J Abi-Saab.

1980-81

Our President was Tom Ibbotson
Vice President was Frank Harrison
The Prime Minister was Malcolm Fraser

Rotary International President was Rolf Krärich of Finland

The year began by helping The Salvation Army with its Red Shield Appeal, followed by the Club’s annual drive for warm clothing for the Smith Family. The September golf & bowls day was a great success, with $1,700 in profit, of which $1,500 was donated to Bundaleer Nursing Home. In November the Club catered for 300 delegates to the Homestead National Convention by providing a bush barbeque dinner at Timbertown. The Club’s Christmas party was held at The Star Hotel, where YEP student Seung Yeon Kim was farewelled. In February the Club hosted a GSE team from District 508, which took in parts of Washington & Idaho states, & the province of British Columbia in Canada. The team had a busy 3 days, with visits to David Oriel’s magnet factory, a tour of Timbertown, a trip to Yarras Ply Mill & a trip through the Bellangry State Forest. Wauchope Rotary Club & the Quota club combined to put on an Arts Festival. The venture proved to be a cultural, artistic & financial success, with great support from local artists & the people of Wauchope. Rotary’s share of the profit was put towards supporting Wauchope’s entrant in the Miss Australia Quest: Donna-Maree Carney, whose efforts were going towards raising funds for The Spastic Centre. The Quota Club donated $250 from their share of the profit to the Q-Robin school for handicapped children, which they’d established in Wauchope. At the changeover donations included $500 to Wauchope High School’s library, $250 to Wauchope Ambulance & $300 to Wauchope District Hospital.

A Beech light aircraft crashes in Sydney killing 13. The Australian Olympic Federation decided to send a team to the Moscow Games despite objections from the Prime Minister. A dingo at Ayer’s Rock takes Azaria Chamberlain. The Federal elections see Malcolm Fraser returned to office with a halved majority. Construction begins on the new Parliament House in Canberra. Channel 10’s “Arcade” premiers. Costing $3 million, it is axed after 39 episodes, & is still the biggest flop on Australian television. “Kingswood Country” debuts on the Seven Network. SBS commences transmission in Sydney & Melbourne, & becomes the first station to use UHF frequencies. Alan Jones becomes the 2nd Australian driver to win the Formula One Drivers Championship. “Beldale Ball” wins The Melbourne Cup. The Illawarra Steelers are admitted into the NSWRL competition. Grant Hackett & Tony Mottram are born. The death occurs of Australia’s 18th Prime Minister, John McEwan. “You shook me all night long” by “AC/DC” is the top pop song.
The Hastings Mayor was Cr. W.E. Poole.

1981-82

Our President was Frank Harrison/Eric Doyle
Vice President was Roy Hunt/Richard Marocco
The Prime Minister was Malcolm Fraser

Rotary International President was Stanley E. McCaffrey of California

The board set the annual membership at $50, joining fee at $25 & $5 dinner charge. Installing the Club’s Board of Directors plus one permanent member from The Hastings Municipal Council changed the administration of Rotary Youth Centre. The Club was busy in August/September catering for the Bundaleer Picnic Races, running a billycart race & selling hot chips from a stall in Andrews Park, & then hosted Apex, Lions & Quota club at a barbeque at Timbertown. In November the annual golf & bowls day raised $1,000. The Christmas party in December was held at Bundaleer entertaining the residents & giving each a present. The following week the Clubs’ Christmas outing was aboard the “Claranda” for a Hastings River Cruise. In January President Frank was transferred in his job, & his position as President filled by Eric Doyle. Director Jack Parsons organized a bus tour of the Hunter Region wineries, which was hailed as most enjoyable by those who went. In March a GSE team from New York were hosted for the day with morning tea at Kindee, lunch at the Wauchope RSL, followed by a tour of Timbertown before departing for Kempsey. Renovations & improvements to the Youth Centre included carpeting the meeting room, laying linoleum in the kitchen, & installing concrete steps & pathway at the side of the building. The second annual Arts Festival was held in conjunction with the Quota Club. Paintings to the value of $7,300 were sold, & a further $1,000 in the sale of craft items was realised. The club made a profit of $3,000 for its part. The changeover saw the Clubs first “Paul Harris” awarded to Charter Member, Bill Statham by PDG Kevin Handes. Donations made included $750 to Bundaleer & $600 to the gymnastics club. 100% awardees included Neville Parsons, Andy Neal & Keith Dark.

Townsville International Airport opens. Australia withdraws recognition of Pol Pot in Cambodia. Andrew Peacock resigns from cabinet accusing the Prime Minister of gross disloyalty. A fire at the Pacific Nursing Home in Sylvania Heights, Sydney kills 16. The Rembrandt Hotel fire in Sydney kills 19 people. The film “Puberty Blues” is released in Sydney. “Good Morning Australia” premiers on Network 10. “TV Week Logies” airs for the first time on 10, having been switched from the Nine network. “The Wheel Of Fortune” premiers on the Seven Network. Channel Nine celebrates 25 years of broadcasting. “A Country Practice” debuts on Channel Seven. Trevor Chappell bowls underarm in a cricket test against NZ. The action is later banned. The Canberra Raiders are accepted as the 14th team in the NSWRL competition for 1982. Fans burn down the stands at Cumberland Oval after Parramatta defeat Newtown, winning their first NRL Grand Final. “Just A Dash” wins The Melbourne Cup. Lleyton Hewitt, Michael Clarke, Lauren Jackson, Shane Watson, Doug Bollinger, Vanessa Amorosi, Nathan Hauritz & Mitchell Johnson are born. The deaths occurred of Sir Thomas Playford, Russell Drysdale, Dame Enid Lyons, Sir Robert Askin & Sir Reginald Ansett. “Don’t Stop Believing” by “Journey” is the top pop song.
The Hastings Mayor was Cr. N. Matesich.

1982-83

Our President was Richard Marocco
Vice President was John Hinton
The Prime Minister was Malcolm Fraser

Rotary International President was Hiroji Mukasa

The first community service activity for the year was to provide pork & champagne lunches at the Bundaleer Picnic Races. The work on the Kew Centre continued. In August a “Bushwhackers’ Ball was held at Rawdon island, prompting a statement by the Bulletin Editor to comment, “it must have been a magnificent night. I don’t remember much about it!” In September the Club met at the Wauchope High School for the annual dinner provided by the Home Economics Classes. Club Captains Lisa McCarthy & Tony Rose were speakers.

The High Court upholds The Racial Discrimination Act, effectively extending Commonwealth power. In the middle of the Franklin Dam dispute, Labour Premier, Harry Holgate is voted out & replaced by a Liberal government led by Robin Gray. The Queen opens the new building of The National Gallery of Australia. The Tasmanian Wilderness Society led by Bob Brown stages a blockade of the Franklin Dam site, which continues, into 1983. On December 14th UNESCO agrees to list the Tasmanian Wild Rivers as a World Heritage Site. Random Breath Testing comes to NSW. One of Australia’s worst droughts to date hits the country. “Sons & Daughters” premiers on the Seven Network. “National News Today” which becomes “Today” is premiered on the Nine Network. Nine, Seven & the ABC conduct stereo transmission tests. The South Melbourne Swans move to Sydney, becoming the Sydney Swans. The Newtown Jets & Canterbury Bulldogs play out the only scoreless draw in NRL history. The Kangaroos complete an undefeated tour of England & France for the first time. Australia’s population reaches 15,184,247. Ian Thorpe is born. “Gurners Lane” won The Melbourne Cup. “Apache” by “The Sugar Hill Gang” is the top pop song.
The Hastings Mayor was Cr. N. Matesich.