1994 in Australia Totally Explained

February 27 - Australian Federal Sports & Environment Minister Ros Kelly resigns over "The Sports Rorts Affair", where it was alleged that she apportioned money for community sporting projects in a pork barreling fashion

May - John Hewson is replaced as leader of the opposition by Alexander Downer.

July 25 - Telephone numbers through Australia start changing to eight digits (Mona Vale, Sydney 1st to change)

August - 'Wollemia nobilis', a "fossil tree" discovered by bushwalker David Noble only 150 km from the largest city in Australia.

September 5 - New South Wales State MP for Cabramatta John Newman is shot outside his home (Australia's first political assassination since 1977)

November 4 - Sydney's third runway opens, ensuring protests about noise levels.

December 2 - Australian government agrees to pay reparations to aborigines that were displaced during the nuclear tests in 1950s and 1960s.

Arts and literature

Film

Muriel's Wedding & The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert are major box office hits both here & abroad.

Television

January 18 - Blue Heelers premieres on Channel 7.

April 28 - The Tasmanian television market is aggregated, with TasTV (now WIN Television) taking a Nine Network affiliation & Southern Cross taking a dual Seven & Ten affiliation.

July 21 - Mother and Son finale airs. (1984-1994)

Hey Dad...! hosts its final original episode (1984-1994)

A Country Practice (1981-1993 on Channel 7) revival attempt on Channel 10 backfires.

Sport

February 9 - 20 minute quarters & final 8 introduced in the AFL.

February - Australia takes its first Winter Olympic medal when the Australian short track speed skating team wins bronze in the 5000m relay at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.

March 2 - Rumours of a breakway competition reported after relations deteriorate between the Brisbane Broncos & the NSWRL

March 10 – First day of the Australian Track & Field Championships for the 1993-1994 season, which are held at the Sydney Athletic Field in Sydney. The combined events championships were conducted in Canberra on March 17 and 18, 1994.

May 1 – Adelaide City become NSL Champions for the third time, defeating a Mark Viduka inspired Melbourne Knights at Olympic Park.

May 23 - Queensland stage heart-stopping fightback in the last five minutes of State of Origin I. After coming from 12-4 down, winger Mark Coyne scores match-winner in final minute.

June 8 - 87,161 people-an Australian rugby league record-turn out at the MCG for State of Origin II. NSW win 14-0.

July 17 - Michael Dalton wins the men's national marathon title, clocking 2:16:17 in Brisbane, while Joanne Cowan claims the women's title in 2:45:35.

July 26 - NSWRL general manager John Ribot concedes a privately run competition is feasible as news of a "Super League" competition surfaces.

September 24 - West Coast Eagles (20.20.143) defeated Geelong (8.15.63) to win the 98th AFL premiership.

September 25 - Canberra captain & rugby league legend Mal Meninga ends club career on winning note when he leads Canberra to a comprehensive 36-12 defeat of Canterbury Bulldogs in the NSWRL Grand Final. His playing career would finish two months later when he lead the Kanagroos on a successful tour of Great Britain & France.

October 20 - ARL chairman Ken Arthurson warns the Broncos that they face expulsion over their involvement with Super League

Deaths

January 16 - Jack Metcalfe (81), track and field athlete (b. 1912)

May 14 - Leonard Teale, actor (b.1922)

Further Information

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