Australian Events

Posted in 1966

  • Harold Holt with Sir Robert MenziesHolt Government, January 20: Sir Robert Menzies retires after 16 years as Prime Minister.
  • The Governor-General Lord Casey accepts Sir Robert's resignation as Prime Minister. This is the first time an Australian Prime Minister has resigned while in office.
  • Australia suffers its worst casualties of the Vietnam War: Eighteen Australian soldiers are killed in the battle of Long Tan, 20 are seriously injured.
  • US President Johnson visits Australia and is greeted with a mixture of enthusiasm and protest.
  • Decimal currency is introduced on 14 February when pounds, shillings and pence are replaced by dollars and cents.
  • Prince Charles arrives in Australia to attend school at Geelong Grammar's Timbertop campus in Victoria.
  • Sir Robert Menzies with the Governor-General, Lord Casey at Government HouseThe White Australia Policy ends, essentially through administrative means.

† Australia's Prime Ministers

  

 

 

Australia's decimal currency