"The years spanned by Menzies'
lifetime had taken civilization from horseless carriages to freeways;
from the Wright brothers to a jet that could cross the world in a
day; instant telecommunication, bringing an isolated Australia into
the 'global village'; wars that drew the nations together; the nuclear
bomb; and a growing maturity as travel, education and culture became
accessible to everyone; Menzies lived through the changes and seemed
to enjoy the journey." Video script, Menzies In His Time, 1994.
State
Funeral: Order of Service, Scots' Church, Melbourne
19 May 1978
Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Trust is formed.
Northern Territory
is given self-government.
Pat O'Shane
becomes the first Aboriginal law graduate and first Aboriginal barrister.
"A study
of the ethnic origins of the Australian population in 1978 found that
77% of people had British origins, with 45% coming from England. Other
major groups of ethnic origin were the Italians, Germans, Dutch and Greeks.
Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders accounted for 1% of the population." The Macquarie Book of Events, 1983 p 71.
Parliament
approves new Parliament House.
HRH Princess Alexandra and Sir Edward Hughes at the official launch of
the Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Foundation 3
World's first test tube baby is born in Britain.
Middle East
peace talks begun in 1977 between Israel and Egypt, cease.
Pope John Paul
I is elected but dies suddenly in September after a reign of 33 days.
Polish cardinal is elected as Pope John Paul II, the first non-Italian
Pope since 1522.
China and Japan
sign a ten-year peace and friendship treaty.