Completes the final revision of his second book of memoirs The Measure of the Years. The book is launched by Sir Paul Hasluck in October 1970.

Chapters include:
* A Retrospective Survey of the Science and Art of Politics
* Developments in Education
* Canberra - the Making of a City
* The Petrov Spy Case
* Sir Owen Dixon
* Some Legal Memoirs, Mostly Light-hearted
* Apartheid and Sport
* Cricket and cricketers.

May 8th: Vietnam Moratorium Day: over 200 000 people across Australia march in the streets on 8 and 9 May.  For many people the issue divides family and friends with some using disguises to avoid being recognised.

"Up to 1970, British migrants still constituted almost half of the total arrivals, but the aim of an annual population increase of 1% (never fully achieved) encouraged migrants from a wider selection of countries."
The Macquarie Book of Events, 1983 p 71

Pope Paul VI, the first Pope to visit Australia, arrives in Sydney on November 30.

A concrete span collapses during construction of the West Gate Bridge across the Yarra River in Melbourne; 35 workmen are killed.

Inaugural journey of the Indian Pacific train from Sydney to Perth.

Margaret Court wins Wimbledon and completes the tennis grand slam, becoming only the second woman to do so.

At Kent State University, USA, the Ohio National Guard fires upon students demonstrating against the Vietnam War, killing 4 and wounding 9 others.

Luna 17 lands an 8-wheeled vehicle on the moon to explore its surface.

Divorce is permitted in Italy.

Boeing 747 airliner (the Jumbo Jet) goes into service.