South Australian History

Below is a list of events occurring from 1836 to 1997 inclusive. You can either scroll through the list or select a more convenient scrolling starting point by clicking on a starting date below :

1836	November 20th School opened at Kingscote Kangaroo Island - First under a tree, then in a tent. The School was built in 1859.

1837	A school was opened in Adelaide area by a Mrs Hillier.

1839	An Infant School was opened by Mrs Gawler, wife of Governor Gawler, at or opposite Trinity church.

1844	First Colonial Census held, and showed a population of 17,366.

1848	Opening of the Savings Bank of South Australia. First ferry across the River Murray commenced operations at Wellington.
1850	An Act granting representative Government to South Australia passed by the British Parliament.

1851	The Central Board of Education established.

1855	First South Australian postage stamps issued.

1856	The new Constitution Act embodying the principle of responsible Government proclaimed: it provided for Parliament to consist of two Houses; a Legislative Council and a House of Assembly. Population of South Australia exceeded 100,000.

1857	Wednesday, 22nd April, 1857 - First sitting of Parliament.

1858	The Real Property Act, which embodied the principles of conveyancing formulated by Torrens, came into operation. back to top

1863	Administration of the Northern Territory taken over by South Australia. Shops of Adelaide lit for the first time with gas.

1865	The Bank of Adelaide founded.

1866	Adelaide Town Hall opened.

1867	Visit of HRH Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, who laid the foundation stone of the General Post Office.

1873	Eight hour working day adopted. First Health Act, establishing a Central Board of Health, passed. Model School in Grote Street established.
1875	The State Education Act passed. back to top

1876	South Australia became first State of Commonwealth to give legal recognition to trade unions.

1878	Provisions of the Education Act relating to compulsory school attendance brought into force in the Adelaide school district. State's population exceeds 250,000.

1882	Fire Brigades Board established.

1884	Adelaide Trades & Labor Council, the first delegates society, inaugurated.

1887	Act authorising payment to Members of Parliament passed.

1888	Totalisator legally authorised by an Act of Parliament. Agricultural Bureau was established.

1889	House of Assembly moved from Old Parliament House to the first stage of the new building. Bridge connected two buildings for access to the Legislative Council and Parliamentary Library. Premier, Hon. Thomas Playford Senior back to top

1890	At the general election 54 Members of Parliament (including two for the Northern Territory) were elected to represent 69,415 electors ie., 1,285 to each MP. Only males were electors.

1892	Education was made free to the compulsory age of 13.

1894	Act passed granting franchise (voting rights) to women, the same as for men, and allowing women to stand for Parliament.

1896	Women voted for the first time in the general election. State Bank of South Australia opened.

1900	Adelaide lit for the first time with electric light. The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act received Royal Assent and a Proclamation was issued uniting the States as the Commonwealth of Australia as from 1 January, 1901. First Workmen's Compensation Act passed.

1901	South Australia became a State within the federation of the 6 self-governing colonies of the Commonwealth. House of Assembly reduced to 42.

1906	Official opening of the first kindergarten in Franklin Street Adelaide South Australia.

1908	The first State High School, Adelaide High, was established.

1909	Payment of age pensions by the Commonwealth Government commenced.

1910	Payment of invalid pensions by the Commonwealth Government commenced.

1911	Northern Territory (previously administered by South Australia) was taken over by the Commonwealth Government. House of Assembly reduced from 42 to 40 (increased to 46 in 1915).

1913	Medical inspection of school children introduced.

1914	Plans to complete Parliament House abandoned because of war.

1915	Prices of commodities fixed by a commission. A referendum approved the closing of liquor bars at 6pm. Women appointed as Justices of the Peace for the first time. First women police appointed. back to top

1916	First Public Service Commissioner appointed. First State living wage with general application declared.

1919	First Lord Mayor of Adelaide elected.

1921	South Australia's population exceeded 500,000.

1925	The first Federal election at which voting was compulsory took place.

1926	State petrol tax declared invalid following a Commonwealth Government writ against the State.

1934	Sir Langdon Bonython promised £100,000 to build second stage of the building of Parliament.

1936	Centenary year of State's foundation celebrated. Sir Langdon Bonython donated £100,000 and second stage of Parliament building commenced with a further £150,000 from the Government.

1937	South Australian Housing Trust established.

1938	First South Australian Housing Trust dwelling completed at Rosewater.

1939	New Parliament House opened by His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie - Premier, Sir Thomas Playford, President of the Legislative Council, Sir David John Gordon, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Sir Robert Nicholls. back to top

1941	First naval vessel built in South Australia launched.

1942	Daylight saving of one hour introduced for almost three months.

1943	Price stabilisation legislation came into force.

1943	Wage and price subsidies were introduced and the prices of tea, potatoes and other commodities were reduced in order to bring price indexes and wages to a lower level.

1944	First State Election was held with compulsory voting for the House of Assembly.

1945	Unemployment and sickness benefits came into operation.

1946	Legislation passed for the state acquisition of electricity supply and the formation of the Electricity Trust of South Australia.

1947	Conciliation commissioners appointed following an amendment to the Federal Conciliation and Arbitration Act.

1948	Forty hour working week introduced by Arbitration Court award. Free medicine scheme came into operation. Full scale production of the 'Holden' car commenced.

1949	Petrol rationing by the Commonwealth Government declared illegal but resumed later in the year under a State Act. back to top

1950	Federal free drugs scheme came into operation.

1951	Distribution of free milk to school children introduced.

1952	Hospital benefits scheme came into operation. Price control on clothing removed in South Australia. Compulsory chest x-rays introduced.

1953	Automatic quarterly cost-of-living adjustments to the basic wage discontinued. Size of the State Cabinet increased from six to eight Members.

1955	Adelaide Airport opened at West Beach.

1957	Centenary of responsible Government in South Australia celebrated. Long service leave legislation passed by the South Australian Parliament.

1959	First women members elected to Parliament - Joyce Steele (Liberal Party) (House of Assembly) and Jessie Cooper (Liberal Party) (Legislative Council). back to top

1960	First Adelaide Festival of Arts held (March 12-26).

1961	Compulsory driving tests introduced. Sturt's Desert Pea declared State's official floral emblem.

1963	School leaving age raised to 15 years. Population of South Australia exceeded 1,000,000. Three weeks annual leave for employees governed by State awards and determinations introduced

1965	Election of first Labor State Government since 1933. First woman judge in Australia appointed to Supreme Court of South Australia. Size of the State Cabinet increased from eight to nine Members.

1966	Prohibition of Discrimination Act 1966 prohibiting racial discrimination, the first such Act in Australia. Women sworn in for jury service for the first time. Flinders University of South Australia officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

1968	State Elections held. Labor Government returned but subsequently defeated on the floor of the House of Assembly at the first meeting of the new Parliament. New Liberal Premier, R S Hall, sworn in. Four weeks leave for State Government employees introduced. Sir James Harrison first Australian-born Governor of South Australia sworn in.

1969	Major electoral redistribution of House of Assembly boundaries. back to top

1970	House of Assembly increased to 47 electorates at the 30th May election with more equitable representation for the 615,000 voters. Abortion Law was also reformed in South Australia

1971	The qualifying age for voting was reduced to 18. Daylight saving introduced in South Australia for the first time since the 1939-45 war. Death of SA Governor Sir James Harrison in office. Sir Mark Oliphant, the first SA born Governor, sworn in. Wearing of seat-belts in motor vehicles made compulsory.

1972	New laws regulating door-to-door selling and used car dealing introduced. South Australian Film Corporation commenced operation. South Australia's first Ombudsman appointed.

1973	Full adult voting rights for the Legislative Council with the abolition of property qualifications. Voting remains voluntary. New long service leave provision for three months after ten years service came into force. Dunstan ALP Government returned at State election to become the first ALP Government to retain office after a general election in South Australia since 1910. Cross Lotto game introduced by State Lotteries Commission. Compulsory blood tests for road accident victims introduced.

1974	First match held at the new South Australian National Football League headquarters at West Lakes. Conversion of road signs to metric measurements undertaken. Judgement handed down making four weeks annual leave standard for workers under State Awards. Legislation allowing hotel trading to 12 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays came into force.

1975	Transmission of television in colour commenced. Dunstan ALP Government was returned with a reduced majority. Medibank commenced operations in South Australia. Legislation for the redistribution of House of Assembly electoral boundaries passed by the Legislative Council.

1976	Capital punishment abolished in South Australia. Sir Douglas Nicholls appointed first aboriginal Governor in South Australia. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited South Australia.

1977	Election held following redistribution of boundaries. South Australia's first million dollar lottery, the Celebration Lottery, drawn by the Lotteries Commission. The South Australian Health Commission came into operation. Keith Seaman sworn in as the new Governor of South Australia. Adelaide's first water filtration plant at Hope Valley commenced operations. Late night shopping in city and suburbs commenced.

1978	A Royal Commission held in to the dismissal of Police Commissioner Salisbury. Adelaide tramways held centenary celebrations. Lotteries Commission introduced Instant Money Game with prizes of up to $10,000. South Australian Heritage Committee was formed.

1979	D A Dunstan, the State's second longest serving Premier resigned for health reasons. Adelaide's unemployment levels highest in Australia in March - 8.9% of the workforce. Liberal Party elected to Government in State election. New public transport zone-fare system introduced. Merger of The Bank of Adelaide, the only private bank with its Head Office in South Australia, with the ANZ Banking Group approved. Charles Moore retail group ceased operating in South Australia. back to top

1980	Bushfire destroyed 35 houses in Adelaide Hills, causing $6 million damage. First of State Transport Authority's new 'Series 2000' railcars began service. New slogan 'The Festival State' for South Australian motor vehicle number plates. Constitutional Museum opened. The Tarcoola-Alice Springs rail link opened.

1981	Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Bill became law. On 15th February, Adelaide had its hottest day since 1948. Temperature reached 43.4 degrees Celsius. On 1st June, Adelaide recorded its lowest barometric pressure ever (979 millibars)

1982	Commencement of Moomba-Stony Point liquids pipeline. Lt.-Gen. Sir Donald Dunstan, KBE, CB, sworn in as the State's new Governor, in April. Following amendments to the Licensing Act, some hotels in 'tourist areas' began trading on Sundays, for one or two 2-hour periods. International air services commenced through Adelaide Airport at West Beach. State elections held: J C Bannon, new Labor Premier sworn in.

1983	First twins born in South Australia under Queen Elizabeth Hospital's in vitro fertilisation program. Large bushfires in February claimed 28 lives in South Australia. Damage estimated at over $200 million. Fires at nine separate locations, including Clare, Adelaide Hills and South-East. Adelaide recorded its lowest maximum March daytime temperature, 14.9 degrees Celsius (on March 22) for 104 years. The State was visited by HRH Charles, Prince of Wales, and the Princess of Wales. Mrs Wendy Chapman was elected Adelaide's first woman Lord Mayor. Liquids pipeline from Moomba to Port Bonython completed.

1984	Maralinga Land Rights Bill passed by State Parliament, returning 76,000 square kilometres of South Australia's Far North to the traditional Aboriginal owners. Australian National's new Adelaide Rail Passenger Terminal at Keswick began operating. State Bank of South Australia and Savings Bank of South Australia amalgamated.

1985	Voting for the Legislative Council made compulsory. The Adelaide Station and Environs Redevelopment (ASER) Property Trust continued construction on the site of the old railway station yards. The Trust is building a 400-room international hotel (the Hyatt), a convention centre, a new office block and two parking stations. ASER is also a partner in the company which operates the casino established in the station building. First Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix won by Keke Rosberg of Finland, driving a 'Williams'. State elections held in December with Bannon Labor Government being returned to office. State Government appointed Australia's first Commissioner for the Ageing.

1986	M/s Anne Levy, MLC, became first woman Presiding Officer in Australia with her appointment as President of the Legislative Council. Australia Act passed to sever remaining legislative, executive and judicial links with the United Kingdom. Jubilee celebrations, commemorating the 150th anniversary of European settlement, began on New Year's Eve. Visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh. Sixth World Three Day Equestrian Event Championships held at Gawler in May. Pope John Paul II visited the State. South Australian Maritime Museum in Port Adelaide opened in December.

1987	Tall ships visited Port Adelaide in December en-route to Hobart Work commenced on Botanic Gardens tropical conservatory. A substantial part of the submarine construction contract for RAN was awarded to South Australia.

1988	Red-light cameras installed at selected traffic sites. $2.00 coin used for the first time. Large bushfire in January burnt out 70% of Wilpena Pound.

1989	National Crime Authority opened office in Adelaide Following the State Government election, ALP formed a minority Government with the help of two independents Wayne Matthew was elected Member for Bright with a majority of 1.1% Adelaide Children's Hospital and Queen Victoria Hospital amalgamated to become the Adelaide Medical Centre for Women and Children. back to top

1990	Free travel on STA scheduled services for children and students introduced. Adelaide recommended as preferred site for MFP by the MFP Joint Steering Committee. Club Keno, the world's only on-line computer generated Keno game commenced. Police introduced radar speed cameras. Wayne Matthew MP was appointed Shadow Minister for Children's Services and Youth Affairs.

1991	University of South Australia formed by merging South Australian Institute of Technology and three Colleges of Advanced Education. Electoral reform referendum held in February, approved by 89.9% of voters. Dame Roma Mitchell, AC, DBE, sworn in as new Governor for five year term. Commonwealth Government gave go-ahead for Australia's first Multi Function Polis. New system of water and sewerage rages introduced. $40m Adelaide Entertainment Centre opened in July.

1992	Decision made for the Hackney Bus Depot site to be developed by the Botanic Gardens in a way which will compliment the Bicentennial Conservatory. Australia's last remaining metropolitan afternoon newspaper, Adelaide's 'The News' closed. The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) was introduced to replace the previous matriculation system. Wayne Matthew MP was appointed Shadow Minister for Police & Emergency Services, Correctional Services, and State Services. The wettest year on record with 882.4mm of rain.

1993	The first Collins class submarine, HMAS Collins, was launched in August, 1993. It was built at the Osborne facility of the Australian Submarine Corporation. The design, based on the Swedish Vastergotland class, has been adapted for Australian conditions and can accommodate women crew members. Each of these submarines to be built by the Australian Submarine Corporation is 78 metres long, weights 3,000 tonnes and is conventionally powered. The fourth and final report of the Royal Commission into the State Bank of South Australia and the State Bank Group of Companies was released. In the report the Royal Commissioner, Mr John Mansfield QC (who replaced the original Royal Commissioner Mr Samuel Jacobs QC) detailed 56 recommendations for further investigation of which the bulk centred on possible civil damages claims for the Bank's losses. This Report brought to an end the Royal Commission which had run for two years and cost approximately $35m. The Liberal Party, led by Dean Brown, won the State Election by a majority of 27 seats (ie., 37 seats to 10 ALP). Although the Liberal Party gained one Legislative Council seat from Labor (11 to 9) the Australian Democrats held onto their two seats and balance of power, as the President of the Legislative Council is a Member of the Liberal Party. Wayne Matthew MP was appointed Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, after being re- elected to Parliament with a majority of 19%. Poker machines introduced into South Australia. The Adelaide Casino publicly launched 415 poker machines, a forerunner to what was opened in hotels and clubs throughout the State from July, 1994 onwards. Each machine has to return at least 85% to players and the State turnover tax for each machine is 4%. All machines are connected to a central computer system which monitors the bets and winnings of each machine. Shock announcement that the rights to stage the Australian Formula One Grand Prix after 1996 had been granted to Victoria and that the event would be held on a new street track in Melbourne. Subsequent talks between the South Australia and Victorian Governments clarified the issue and agreement was reached that the event would go to Victoria after the 1995 event. Adelaide City Soccer Club (Zebras) won the 1994 and their third National Championship in Melbourne. Although only being fifth at the end of the home and away games, Adelaide won their way through to the finals and beat the minor round premiers, Melbourne Knights (1-0).

1994	The Report of the State Audit Commission was released. Immediately after gaining office the new Brown Liberal Government set up a Commission of Audit to undertake a broad review of the State's public sector finances. The emphasis of the recommendations was to cut costs, improve efficiencies and to reduce public debt. It covered all areas of State Government operations (health, education, ETSA, E&WS, Housing Trust, Police, etc), and each sector received specific recommendations. Following the Audit Commission Report the State Government released a Financial Statement which outlined the Government program and aims for streamlining the State Public Service, reducing Budget deficit and State debt

1995	Introduction of Basic Skills testing for Grade 3 and Grade 5 South Australian School Students. STA becomes TransAdelaide. Our final South Australian Grand Prix, with world record breaking attendance levels - race day being a sell out. Hindmarsh Island Royal Commission. John Doyle QC is appointed as South Australia’s new Chief Justice. Reconstruction of Brighton Jetty began. Clean up of the Patawolonga Commencement of Southern Expressway. Introduction of Police Radar Guns Private management of Mount Gambier Prison Premier Hon. Dean Brown MP announces a cabinet reshuffle, with Scott Ashenden MP and Rob Kerin MP being appointed Government Ministers. Hon Wayne Matthew MP gains State Government Services in lieu of Police Portfolio, and is promoted two positions up the cabinet ladder. Beatification of Mother Mary McKillop.

1996	United Water signs contract to manage & operate Adelaide’s water and wastewater systems. The improved services will save $164 million over the life of the United Water contract and a new water industry with a focus on exports. Federal Liberal Government elected in March 1996. The Hon. John Howard MP becomes Prime Minister. Work commences on Southern Expressway. New Brighton Jetty opens. Aquaculture industry in South Australia develops considerably with a series of management plans released. $10 million new Sturt Police Centre is opened. $5.8 million new Flinders Medical Emergency Department opens. Western Mining announce it will proceed with a $1.25 Billion expansion of Olympic Dam. Sir Eric Neal AO sworn in on 22/7/96 as the new Governor for South Australia. The Hon John Olsen sworn in as Premier on 29/11/96 The Hon Wayne Matthew MP resigns from State Cabinet on 14/12/96

1997	Port Power enter the Australian Football League (AFL) Work commences on the extension of the Adelaide Airport runway Cities of Brighton and Glenelg amalgamate to form the City of Holdfast Bay Berri bridge opens after 30 years of lobbying by the local community On 11 October 1997 the Liberal Party, lead by Premier John Olsen, was re-elected with a majority of 25 seats (plus 1 National Party member) to Labor's 21 Seats. This was the first re-elected Liberal Government for 37 years. The Legislative Council continued to be a 'Hung Parliament' with 10 Liberal members, 8 Labor, 3 Democrat and one Independent against Poker Machines. On 17 December 1997 the Hon. Wayne Matthew MP was sworn back into the Ministry as Minister for Administrative Services and Minister for Information Services. On 17 December 1997 the Southern Expressway opened to all traffic. The Expressway was fully operational from 22 December 1997. back to top

1998	On 7 July 1998 after intense questioning in Parliament, Deputy Premier Graham Ingerson resigned his position. On 16 July 1998 the Adelaide Airport runway extension opened, delivering major benefits to South Australia's export and tourism industries. On 3 August 1998 Graham Ingerson resigned from the Ministry. On 7 August 1998 workers excavated the last metre of earth to break through to daylight on the Crafers Freeway tunnel, the first tunnel built anywhere on Australia's 18,700 kilometres of national Highway. Radison Playford Hotel opened on North Terrace. On 8 October 1998 Premier Olsen re-shuffled his Cabinet. The Hon. Wayne Matthew MP was sworn in as Australia's first Minister for Year 2000 Compliance.

1999

2000	On 14 February 2000 Premier Olsen re-shuffled his Cabinet. The Hon. Wayne Matthew MP was sworn in as Minister for Mines and Energy and Minister Assisting the Deputy Premier.

2001	On 3 March 2001 the South Australian Government entered into a non-financial facilitation agreement for the construction of a 45 petajoule, 660 kilometre gas pipeline from Victoria to Adelaide. The facilitation agreement was signed with an alliance of demand-side parties comprising Australian National Power, Origin Energy and SAMAG. The terms of the agreement require the pipeline to be commissioned and gas delivered by December 2003. On 28 May 2001 the Hon. Wayne Matthew MP announced the formation of "Energy SA" to drive the expansion of Sustainable and Renewable Energy utilisation. On 22 July 2001 the Premier officially opened the new Northern Grandstand at Football Park providing an additional 7000 seats. The $12.5 million project, jointly funded by the SANFL and the State Government, and a $1.5 million contribution from the AFL, was completed almost a month a head of schedule. On 30 July 2001 the Premier announced that Victoria Square would become a dry zone. On 14 August 2001 the Premier announced that one of the world’s largest investment advisory firms, JPMorgan Investor Services, is set to significantly expand in Adelaide creating 250 new jobs and retaining 200 existing jobs. back to top

2002	At the State Election held on Saturday 9 February 2002 no Political Party gained an absolute majority. Despite tougher electoral boundaries and a swing against the Liberal Party, Wayne Matthew was re-elected with an increased margin (by 0.5%) of 5%. The Liberal Party received 17,578 more 2 party preferred votes than the Labor Party in the House of Assembly, or 50.93% of the vote to Labor's 49.07%. The Liberals won 20 Seats, Nationals 1, Independent Liberals 3 and Labor 23. As no group had the numbers to govern, in order to resolve the impasse, on 5 March 2002 in the South Australian House of Assembly the Liberal Government moved a motion of confidence in itself. This was defeated by 1 vote . As a consequence, the Labor Party formed Government with the support of an independent member of parliament, thereby thwarting the democratic will of 50.93% of the South Australian people.

2005	On Monday 14 March 2005, Wayne Matthew announced that he would not be contesting the March 2006 State Election. He stated that after serving 16 years and 4 months in State Parliament, almost 14 years of that time on the front bench, 8 of those years as a Minister, he was ready for a change. His parliamentary contribution was praised by Liberal Leader and former Premier, Rob Kerin.

	In May 2005 Wayne Matthew stepped aside from the Front Bench in preparation for his retirement from Parliament in March 2006.

2006	On Saturday 18 March 2006, the Labor minority Government lead by Premier Mike Rann was re-elected with the biggest Labor result in South Australia's history. Labor won 28 seats in the 47 Seat House of Assembly, the Liberals 15, so called Nationals 1 and Independents 3.

	Labor's Chloe Fox won the seat of Bright despite very few appearances in the electorate and moving into the electorate only about 12 months earlier. Political commentators described this victory and a similarly large swing in the seat of Newland (following the retirement of Liberal Member, Dorothy Kotz) as being due to a combination of the State wide swing to Labor and the retirement of well known, long serving, local MPs. back to top