History of Tasmania
Encyclopedia
The history of Tasmania
begins at the end of the most recent ice age
(approximately 10,000 years ago) when it is believed that the island was joined to the Australian mainland.
, and evidence indicates their presence in the territory, later to become an island, at least 35,000 years ago. The indigenous population at the time of British settlement in 1803 has been estimated at 5 000 but through persecution (see Black War
and Black Line
) and disease
much of the population was eradicated. The impact of introduced diseases, prior to the first European estimates of the size of Tasmania's population, means that the original indigenous population could have been somewhat larger than 5,000. The last surviving members are thought to have died in Hobart, with the last full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine thought to be Trugernanner
The first reported sighting of Tasmania by a European was on 24 November 1642 by the Dutch
explorer Abel Tasman
, who named the island Anthoonij van Diemenslandt, after his sponsor, the Governor of the Dutch East Indies. The name was later shortened to Van Diemen's Land
by the British. In 1772, a French expedition led by Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne
landed on the island. Captain James Cook
also sighted the island in 1777, and numerous other European seafarers made landfalls, adding a colourful array to the names of topographical features.
The first settlement was by the British
at Risdon Cove on the eastern bank of the Derwent
estuary in 1803, by a small party sent from Sydney, under Lt. John Bowen. An alternative settlement was established by Capt. David Collins 5 km to the south in 1804 in Sullivans Cove on the western side of the Derwent, where fresh water was more plentiful. The latter settlement became known as Hobart Town or Hobarton, later shortened to Hobart, after the British Colonial Secretary of the time, Lord Hobart. The settlement at Risdon was later abandoned.
The early settlers were mostly convicts and their military guards, with the task of developing agriculture and other industries. Numerous other convict settlements were made in Van Diemens Land, including secondary prisons, such as the particularly harsh penal colonies at Port Arthur
in the south-east and Macquarie Harbour on the West Coast. The Aboriginal resistance to this invasion was so strong, that troops were deployed across much of Tasmania to drive the Aborigines into captivity on nearby islands.
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
begins at the end of the most recent ice age
Ice age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
(approximately 10,000 years ago) when it is believed that the island was joined to the Australian mainland.
Indigenous people
Tasmania was totally inhabited by an indigenous population, the Tasmanian AboriginesTasmanian Aborigines
The Tasmanian Aborigines were the indigenous people of the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Before British colonisation in 1803, there were an estimated 3,000–15,000 Parlevar. A number of historians point to introduced disease as the major cause of the destruction of the full-blooded...
, and evidence indicates their presence in the territory, later to become an island, at least 35,000 years ago. The indigenous population at the time of British settlement in 1803 has been estimated at 5 000 but through persecution (see Black War
Black War
The Black War is a term used to describe a period of conflict between British colonists and Tasmanian Aborigines in the early nineteenth century...
and Black Line
Black Line
The Black Line was an event that occurred in 1830 in Tasmania, or Van Diemen's Land as it was then known. After many years of conflict between British colonists and the Aborigines known as the Black War, Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur decided to remove all Aborigines from the settled areas in...
) and disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
much of the population was eradicated. The impact of introduced diseases, prior to the first European estimates of the size of Tasmania's population, means that the original indigenous population could have been somewhat larger than 5,000. The last surviving members are thought to have died in Hobart, with the last full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine thought to be Trugernanner
European arrival
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
explorer Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman
Abel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer, explorer, and merchant, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the VOC . His was the first known European expedition to reach the islands of Van Diemen's Land and New Zealand and to sight the Fiji islands...
, who named the island Anthoonij van Diemenslandt, after his sponsor, the Governor of the Dutch East Indies. The name was later shortened to Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land was the original name used by most Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to land on the shores of Tasmania...
by the British. In 1772, a French expedition led by Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne
Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne
Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne , with the surname sometimes spelt Dufresne, was a French explorer who made important discoveries in the south Indian Ocean, in Tasmania and in New Zealand, where he died...
landed on the island. Captain James Cook
James Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
also sighted the island in 1777, and numerous other European seafarers made landfalls, adding a colourful array to the names of topographical features.
The first settlement was by the British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
at Risdon Cove on the eastern bank of the Derwent
Derwent River (Tasmania)
The Derwent is a river in Tasmania, Australia. It was named after the River Derwent, Cumbria by British Commodore John Hayes who explored it in 1793. The name is Brythonic Celtic for "valley thick with oaks"....
estuary in 1803, by a small party sent from Sydney, under Lt. John Bowen. An alternative settlement was established by Capt. David Collins 5 km to the south in 1804 in Sullivans Cove on the western side of the Derwent, where fresh water was more plentiful. The latter settlement became known as Hobart Town or Hobarton, later shortened to Hobart, after the British Colonial Secretary of the time, Lord Hobart. The settlement at Risdon was later abandoned.
The early settlers were mostly convicts and their military guards, with the task of developing agriculture and other industries. Numerous other convict settlements were made in Van Diemens Land, including secondary prisons, such as the particularly harsh penal colonies at Port Arthur
Port Arthur, Tasmania
Port Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, in Tasmania, Australia. Port Arthur is one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and the open air museum is officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction. It is located approximately 60 km south east of...
in the south-east and Macquarie Harbour on the West Coast. The Aboriginal resistance to this invasion was so strong, that troops were deployed across much of Tasmania to drive the Aborigines into captivity on nearby islands.
Pre-1800
- Date unknown (BC): Mouheneener band of South-East Tasmanian AboriginalAustralian AboriginesAustralian Aborigines , also called Aboriginal Australians, from the latin ab originem , are people who are indigenous to most of the Australian continentthat is, to mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania...
peoples settle in what is now the Hobart area - 1642: Abel TasmanAbel TasmanAbel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer, explorer, and merchant, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the VOC . His was the first known European expedition to reach the islands of Van Diemen's Land and New Zealand and to sight the Fiji islands...
, of the Dutch East India CompanyDutch East India CompanyThe Dutch East India Company was a chartered company established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia...
, becomes first European to sight Tasmanian mainlandMainlandMainland is a name given to a large landmass in a region , or to the largest of a group of islands in an archipelago. Sometimes its residents are called "Mainlanders"...
; he names it Van Diemen's Land after fellow Dutch East IndiesDutch East IndiesThe Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
(now IndonesiaIndonesiaIndonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
) Governor-GeneralGovernor-GeneralA Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
Anthony van DiemenAnthony van DiemenAnthony van Diemen , Dutch colonial governor, was born in Culemborg in the Netherlands, the son of Meeus Anthonisz van Diemen and Christina Hoevenaar. In 1616 he moved to Amsterdam, in hope of improving his fortune as a merchant; in this he failed and was declared bankrupt... - 1792: Captain William BlighWilliam BlighVice Admiral William Bligh FRS RN was an officer of the British Royal Navy and a colonial administrator. A notorious mutiny occurred during his command of HMAV Bounty in 1789; Bligh and his loyal men made a remarkable voyage to Timor, after being set adrift in the Bounty's launch by the mutineers...
anchors to Adventure BayAdventure BayAdventure Bay is a bay on Bruny Island in southeastern Tasmania. Discovered in 1773 by Tobias Furneaux, it was named after his ship, HMS Adventure. James Cook explored the region in 1777, as did William Bligh in 1788 and 1792....
for a second time and names Table Mountain (now Mount Wellington) - 1793: French explorer Bruni d'EntrecasteauxBruni d'EntrecasteauxAntoine Raymond Joseph de Bruni d'Entrecasteaux was a French navigator who explored the Australian coast in 1792 while seeking traces of the lost expedition of La Pérouse....
surveys Derwent, naming it Riviere du Nord - 1793: John HayesJohn Hayes (explorer)Sir John Hayes was an 18th century explorer for the British East India Company, who explored eastern Tasmania and named the Derwent River in 1793.-References:John Hayes is one of the unsung heroes of animation....
, of British East India CompanyBritish East India CompanyThe East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
, unaware of the French visit, sails up the river, which he names Derwent - 1798: Explorers George BassGeorge BassGeorge Bass was a British naval surgeon and explorer of Australia.-Early years:He was born on 30 January 1771 at Aswarby, a hamlet near Sleaford, Lincolnshire, the son of a tenant farmer, George Bass, and a local beauty named Sarah Nee Newman. His father died in 1777 when Bass was 6...
and Matthew FlindersMatthew FlindersCaptain Matthew Flinders RN was one of the most successful navigators and cartographers of his age. In a career that spanned just over twenty years, he sailed with Captain William Bligh, circumnavigated Australia and encouraged the use of that name for the continent, which had previously been...
visit Derwent as part of circumnavigation of Van Diemen's Land; Bass climbs at least part of Mount Wellington (then known as Table Mountain) on Christmas Day
1800–1809
- 1802: French explorer Nicolas BaudinNicolas BaudinNicolas-Thomas Baudin was a French explorer, cartographer, naturalist and hydrographer.Baudin was born a commoner in Saint-Martin-de-Ré on the Île de Ré. At the age of fifteen he joined the merchant navy, and at twenty joined the French East India Company...
surveys Derwent during month-long visit to South-East Tasmania, on which his party makes extensive notes on Aborigines, plants and animals. - 1803: Lieutenant John BowenJohn Bowen (colonist)John Bowen was a naval officer and colonial administrator. Led the first settlement of Tasmania at Risdon Cove. He was the son of James Bowen, and was born at Ilfracombe, Devon, England.-Early career:...
's 49-member party, with the ships Lady NelsonLady NelsonThe Royal Navy purchased Lady Nelson in 1799. She spent her career exploring the coast of Australia in the early years of the 19th century. She was the first known vessel to sail eastward through Bass Strait, the first to sail along the South coast of Victoria, as well as the first to enter Port...
and AlbionAlbionAlbion is the oldest known name of the island of Great Britain. Today, it is still sometimes used poetically to refer to the island or England in particular. It is also the basis of the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland, Alba...
, starts first European settlement of Tasmania at Risdon CoveRisdon CoveRisdon Cove was the site of the first British settlement in Van Diemen's Land, now Tasmania, the smallest Australian state. Risdon Cove, which was named after William Bellamy Risdon, second officer of the ship Duke of Clarence. Risdon served under Lt...
, naming it HobartHobartHobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
. - 1804: Lieutenant-Colonel David CollinsDavid Collins (governor)Colonel David Collins was the first Lieutenant Governor of the Colony of Van Diemens Land, founded in 1804, which in 1901 became the state of Tasmania in the Commonwealth of Australia.-Early life and military career:...
' 262-member party lands at Sullivans Cove in February; the settlement, which becomes known as Hobart Town, grows to 433 with arrival in June of rest of his Port PhillipPort PhillipPort Phillip Port Phillip Port Phillip (also commonly referred to as Port Phillip Bay or (locally) just The Bay, is a large bay in southern Victoria, Australia; it is the location of Melbourne. Geographically, the bay covers and the shore stretches roughly . Although it is extremely shallow for...
party. - 1804: Soldiers temporarily refuse guard duties at Risdon amid fears of convictConvictA convict is "a person found guilty of a crime and sentenced by a court" or "a person serving a sentence in prison", sometimes referred to in slang as simply a "con". Convicts are often called prisoners or inmates. Persons convicted and sentenced to non-custodial sentences often are not termed...
rebellion. - 1804: Aborigines killed in Risdon affray and settlement there abandoned.
- 1804: Church of EnglandChurch of EnglandThe Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
clergyman Robert KnopwoodRobert KnopwoodRobert Knopwood was an early clergyman and diarist in Australia.Knopwood was the third child and only surviving son of Robert Knopwood and his wife Elizabeth, née Barton of Threxton, Norfolk, England. Knopwood was educated at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and graduated B.A. in 1786, M.A....
conducts first divine service at Sullivans Cove. - 1804: Hobart's first cemeteryCemeteryA cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
opens, later St David's Park. - 1804: Colonel William Paterson establishes Port Dalrymple (Tamar River) settlement, first at George TownGeorge Town, TasmaniaGeorge Town is one of the larger towns in north-east Tasmania, on the eastern bank of the mouth of the Tamar River. At the 2006 census, George Town had a population of 4,266. It is the regional centre of the George Town Council Local Government Area....
, then at York TownYork Town, TasmaniaYork Town is a locality in northern Tasmania. It was the first attempt to establish a British presence in northern Tasmania, in 1804. It was a "bustling village" until 1808....
on river's western side. - 1805: After supply ships fail to arrive on time, famine forces David Collins to cut rations by one-third
- 1805: Collins leaves tent home to take up residence in first Government HouseGovernment HouseGovernment House is the name of many of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by...
, a wooden cottage. - 1805: Harbourmaster William CollinsWilliam CollinsWilliam Collins may refer to:* William Collins , Bishop of Gibraltar in the Church of England* William Collins , English poet* William Collins , English landscape artist...
establishes Australia's first whalingWhalingWhaling is the hunting of whales mainly for meat and oil. Its earliest forms date to at least 3000 BC. Various coastal communities have long histories of sustenance whaling and harvesting beached whales...
station at Ralphs BayRalphs BayRalphs Bay is a body of water in south east Tasmania, Australia. It is surrounded by the Tranmere and South Arm peninsulas. Sea access to the bay is from the Derwent River....
. - 1805: First land grants include 10 acres (40,000 m²) to Robert KnopwoodRobert KnopwoodRobert Knopwood was an early clergyman and diarist in Australia.Knopwood was the third child and only surviving son of Robert Knopwood and his wife Elizabeth, née Barton of Threxton, Norfolk, England. Knopwood was educated at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and graduated B.A. in 1786, M.A....
- 1806: Colonel William Paterson begins transfer of York TownYork Town, TasmaniaYork Town is a locality in northern Tasmania. It was the first attempt to establish a British presence in northern Tasmania, in 1804. It was a "bustling village" until 1808....
settlement to site of modern LauncestonLaunceston, TasmaniaLaunceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart... - 1807: First Norfolk IslandNorfolk IslandNorfolk Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but it enjoys a large degree of self-governance...
settlers arrive in Hobart in the Lady NelsonLady NelsonThe Royal Navy purchased Lady Nelson in 1799. She spent her career exploring the coast of Australia in the early years of the 19th century. She was the first known vessel to sail eastward through Bass Strait, the first to sail along the South coast of Victoria, as well as the first to enter Port...
and settle at New NorfolkNew Norfolk, Tasmania-References:5. Fellowship of First Fleeters.6. New Norfolk's History and Achievements by Joe Cowburn and Rita Cox 1986-External links:* has extensive local information, history, photographs, resources and attractions... - 1807: Lieutenant Thomas LaycockThomas LaycockThomas Laycock was an English soldier, explorer, and later businessman, who served in North America during the War of 1812, but is most famous for being the first European to travel overland through the interior of Tasmania .-Early life:Thomas Laycock was the son of Thomas and Hannah Laycock...
leads five-man party on first overland journey from Launceston to Hobart, taking nine days, mainly to seek supplies for the northern settlement. - 1809: Deposed New South WalesNew South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
Governor William BlighWilliam BlighVice Admiral William Bligh FRS RN was an officer of the British Royal Navy and a colonial administrator. A notorious mutiny occurred during his command of HMAV Bounty in 1789; Bligh and his loyal men made a remarkable voyage to Timor, after being set adrift in the Bounty's launch by the mutineers...
arrives in Hobart and temporarily disrupts David Collins' authority as lieutenant-governor. - 1809: Floods in Derwent
1810–1819
- 1810: David Collins dies suddenly, Lieutenant Edward LordEdward LordCharles Edward Lord OBE JP politician and a leading figure in English local government. He is Chairman of Local Partnerships LLP and its subsidiary, the Public Private Partnerships Programme , and an ex-officio member of the Executive and Improvement Board of the Local Government Association...
takes over and first of three administrators pending appointment of second lieutenant-governor. - 1810: First church, St David's, built
- 1810: Colony's first flour mill built beside RivuletHobart RivuletThe Hobart Rivulet flows down from Mount Wellington and underneath the city of Hobart into the River Derwent.The rivulet was an important source of drinking water for the Mouheneener Aborigines, and later for the first European settlers. The site for Hobart was originally chosen in part due to the...
between Murray St and Elizabeth St, operated by Edward Lord and William Collins - 1810: Administration launches colony's first newspaperNewspaperA newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
, the Derwent Star and Van Diemen's Land Intelligencer - 1810: SealingSeal huntingSeal hunting, or sealing, is the personal or commercial hunting of seals. The hunt is currently practiced in five countries: Canada, where most of the world's seal hunting takes place, Namibia, the Danish region of Greenland, Norway and Russia...
expedition discovers Macquarie IslandMacquarie IslandMacquarie Island lies in the southwest corner of the Pacific Ocean, about half-way between New Zealand and Antarctica, at 54°30S, 158°57E. Politically, it has formed part of the Australian state of Tasmania since 1900 and became a Tasmanian State Reserve in 1978. In 1997 it became a world heritage... - 1811: After arriving from Sydney, Governor Lachlan MacquarieLachlan MacquarieMajor-General Lachlan Macquarie CB , was a British military officer and colonial administrator. He served as the last autocratic Governor of New South Wales, Australia from 1810 to 1821 and had a leading role in the social, economic and architectural development of the colony...
draws up plan for Hobart streets and orders construction of public buildings and Mount Nelson signal station. - 1812: Michael Howe (later bushrangingBushrangerBushrangers, or bush rangers, originally referred to runaway convicts in the early years of the British settlement of Australia who had the survival skills necessary to use the Australian bush as a refuge to hide from the authorities...
gang leader) among first convicts to arrive directly from England in HMS IndefatigableHMS Indefatigable (1784)HMS Indefatigable was one of the Ardent class 64-gun third-rate ships-of-the-line designed by Sir Thomas Slade in 1761 for the Royal Navy. She had a long career under several distinguished commanders, serving throughout the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars... - 1812: Northern Tasmania's lieutenant-governorship ceases, Government House in Hobart takes control of whole island
- 1813: Schooner UnityUnity (ship)The Unity was a ship that went missing in 1813 off the coast of Tasmania, Australia.The Unity was a schooner and was moored in Hobart when on the night of 24 April 1813, between 11pm and midnight, a gang of seven armed convicts boarded the ship...
not heard of again after convicts seize it in Derwen - 1813: First Post OfficePost officeA post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
opens in postmaster's house on corner of Argyle St and Macquarie St - 1814: Work starts on Anglesea Barracks, Australia's longest continuously occupied militaryMilitaryA military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
building - 1814: Colony's first horse races believed to have taken place at New TownNew Town, TasmaniaNew Town is a suburb of the city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, located about 4 km north of the central business district of Hobart. One of the city's oldest suburbs, it is now an inner city residential suburb. Many of its streets are lined with Federation style cottages...
- 1814: Lieutenant-governor's courtCourtA court is a form of tribunal, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law...
created to deal with small personal financial disputes. - 1814: Governor Lachlan Macquarie offers amnesty to bushrangerBushrangerBushrangers, or bush rangers, originally referred to runaway convicts in the early years of the British settlement of Australia who had the survival skills necessary to use the Australian bush as a refuge to hide from the authorities...
s - 1814: Ship ArgoArgoIn Greek mythology, the Argo was the ship on which Jason and the Argonauts sailed from Iolcos to retrieve the Golden Fleece. It was named after its builder, Argus.-Legend:...
disappears after seizure by convicts in Derwent - 1815: Michael Howe's bushranging gang kills two settlers in New Norfolk raid
- 1815: Lieutenant-Governor Thomas DaveyThomas DaveyThomas Davey was the second Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemens Land.-Early life:Few details are known of his early life, but Thomas Davey was serving in the army or navy in 1777, and went to Australia as a lieutenant-colonel of the Royal Marines with the First Fleet 10 years later...
declares martial law against all bushrangers, mainly escaped convicts, with some military deserters; Governor Lachlan MacquarieLachlan MacquarieMajor-General Lachlan Macquarie CB , was a British military officer and colonial administrator. He served as the last autocratic Governor of New South Wales, Australia from 1810 to 1821 and had a leading role in the social, economic and architectural development of the colony...
later revokes order. - 1815: Captain James Kelly circumnavigates island in whaleboat
- 1815: First Van Diemen's Land wheat shipment to Sydney.
- 1816: First emigrant ship arrives with free settlers from England
- 1817: Weekly mail service begins between Hobart and Launceston
- 1817: Work starts on new St David's Church, replacing earlier structure blown down in storm
- 1817: First convict shipConvict shipThe term convict ship is a colloquial term used to describe any ship engaged on a voyage to carry convicted felons under sentence of penal transportation from their place of conviction to their place of exile.-Colonial practice:...
s arrive directly from England - 1817: New Government House occupied in Macquarie St, on site of present Town Hall, lower Elizabeth St and Franklin Square.
- 1818: Government opens flour mill in Hobart
- 1818: Soldiers and convict kill bushranger Michael Howe on banks of Shannon River
- 1818: Government establishes nucleus of Royal Tasmanian Botanical GardensRoyal Tasmanian Botanical GardensThe Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, which cover an area of approximately 14 hectares , were established in Hobart in 1818 and are located within the Queens Domain. The Gardens hold historic plant collections and a large number of significant trees, many dating back to the nineteenth century...
- 1819: First proper hospitalHospitalA hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
opens - 1819: Hobart-New Norfolk road built
- 1819: St David's Church opens
1820–1829
- 1820: Roads macadamised, carthorses replaces bullocks
- 1820: First substantial jail completed on corner of Macquarie Street and Murray Street.
- 1820: MerinoMerinoThe Merino is an economically influential breed of sheep prized for its wool. Merinos are regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep...
sheep arrive from John MacarthurJohn Macarthur (wool pioneer)John Macarthur was a British army officer, entrepreneur, politician, architect and pioneer of settlement in Australia. Macarthur is recognised as the pioneer of the wool industry that was to boom in Australia in the early 19th century and become a trademark of the nation...
's stud in NSW. - 1820: First Wesleyan (Methodist) meeting in colony
- 1821: Arrival of first CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
clergyman, Father Phillip Conolly - 1821: On second visit, Governor Lachlan MacquarieLachlan MacquarieMajor-General Lachlan Macquarie CB , was a British military officer and colonial administrator. He served as the last autocratic Governor of New South Wales, Australia from 1810 to 1821 and had a leading role in the social, economic and architectural development of the colony...
chooses sites for PerthPerth, TasmaniaPerth is a town in the north-east of Tasmania, Australia. It lies 20 km south of Launceston, on the Midland Highway. The town has a population of 1,984 and is averaging a 1% increase per year . Perth is part of the Northern Midlands Council. Federal Lyons MHR Dick Adams also has an office...
, Campbell TownCampbell Town, TasmaniaCampbell Town is a town in Tasmania, Australia, located on the Midland Highway. At the 2006 census, the town had a population of 772.Campbell Town was originally one of the four garrison towns linking Hobart and Launceston. Today, it acts as the only major rest area on the Midland Highway, with...
, RossRoss, TasmaniaRoss is a historic town in the Midlands of the state of Tasmania in Australia. Situated on the Macquarie River, Ross is located 78 km south of Launceston and 117 km north of Hobart...
, OatlandsOatlands, TasmaniaOatlands is an important historical village built on the shores of Lake Dulverton in the centre of Tasmania, Australia. Oatlands is located 84 km north of Hobart and 115 km south of Launceston on the Midland Highway...
and BrightonBrighton, TasmaniaBrighton is a suburb 27km north of Hobart, in Tasmania, Australia. It lies between Pontville and the outer Hobart suburb of Bridgewater on the Midland Highway. At the 2006 census, Brighton had a population of 3,145.-History:...
. - 1821: Officials and convicts leave Port Dalrymple to establish Macquarie Harbour penal settlementMacquarie Harbour Penal StationThe Macquarie Harbour Penal Station was a notorious British penal settlement established on Sarah Island in the southern portion of Macquarie Harbour in what was Van Diemen's Land in , Australia....
at Sarah Island - 1822: Van Diemen's Land Agricultural Society holds first meeting in Hobart
- 1823: Presbyterian Church's first official ministry in Australia begins in Hobart
- 1823: Formation of first Tasmanian bank, Bank of Van Diemen's Land
- 1824: Inauguration of Supreme CourtSupreme courtA supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of many legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, instance court, judgment court, high court, or apex court...
- 1824: Opening of Cascade BreweryCascade BreweryCascade Brewery is the oldest continually operating brewery in Australia. It is based in South Hobart, Tasmania. The Cascade estate was founded beside the clean water of the Hobart Rivulet in 1824 by Peter Degraves, an entrepreneur who emigrated from England...
, Australia's longest continuously operating Brewery. - 1824: Cannibal convict Alexander PearceAlexander PearceAlexander Pearce was an Irish convict who was transported to Van Diemen's Land for theft. He escaped from prison several times, but eventually was captured and was hanged and dissected in Hobart for murder....
hanged after escaping twice from Macquarie Harbour and surviving by eating companions. - 1824: Convict Matthew Brady begins bushranging career after Escape from Macquarie HarbourMacquarie HarbourMacquarie Harbour is a large, shallow, but navigable by shallow draft vessels inlet on the West Coast of Tasmania, Australia.-History:James Kelly wrote in his narrative "First Discovery of Port Davey and Macquarie Harbour" how he sailed from Hobart in a small open five-oared whaleboat to discover...
- 1825: On 3 December Van Diemen's Land becomes colony independentIndependenceIndependence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
of NSW with appointed Executive Council, its own judicial establishment, and Legislative Council. - 1825: Opening of Richmond BridgeRichmond Bridge, TasmaniaThe Richmond Bridge is a heritage listed arch bridge located on the B31 in Richmond, 25 kilometres north of Hobart in Tasmania, Australia. It is the oldest bridge still in use in Australia.-History:...
, Australia's oldest existing bridgeBridgeA bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
. - 1825: Party of soldiers and convicts establishes Maria IslandMaria IslandMaria Island is a mountainous island off the east coast of Tasmania. The entire island is a national park. Maria Island National Park has a total area of 115.50 km², which includes a marine area of 18.78 km² off the island's northwest coast. The island is about 20 km in length from...
penal settlement - 1826: Van Diemen's Land Company launches North-West pastoral and agricultural development at Circular HeadCircular HeadThe Circular Head Council is a Local Government Area of Tasmania. It covers the far north-west corner of the state mainland.The major centres of the municipality are Smithton, on the north coast; Stanley, east of Smithton; and Marrawah on the west coast...
. - 1826: Tasmanian Turf Club established
- 1826: Settler John BatmanJohn BatmanJohn Batman was an Australian grazier, businessman and explorer who is best known for his role in the founding of a settlement which became Melbourne and the colony of Victoria.-Life:...
, later one of MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
's founders, helps to capture bushranger Matthew BradyMatthew BradyMatthew Brady was a notorious bushranger in Van Diemen's Land in the early 19th century. Born from two immigrants from Ireland, he was sometimes known as the "Gentleman Bushranger" due to his good treatment and fine manners when robbing his victims.Originally a corporal in a British regiment, he...
near Launceston. - 1826: Disease epidemic in Hobart, blamed on rivulet pollution
- 1826: CourthouseCourthouseA courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
built on corner of Macquarie St and Murray St - 1826: Street lighting with oil lamps introduced
- 1826: Legislative Council meets formally for the first time
- 1827: First regattaRegattaA regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
-style events on Derwent - 1827: Van Diemen's Land Company begins settlement at Emu Bay (now BurnieBurnie, Tasmania- Sport :Australian rules football is popular in Burnie. The city's team is the Burnie Dockers Football Club in the Tasmanian State League.Rugby union is also played in Burnie. The local club is the Burnie Rugby Union Club. They are the current Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide Division Two Premiers...
) - 1828: Proclamation by Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur excludes Aborigines from settled areas
- 1828: Cape Grim massacreCape Grim massacreThe Cape Grim massacre occurred 10 February 1828 in the North west of Van Diemen's Land, now known as Tasmania, when four shepherds with muskets are alleged to have ambushed over 30 Tasmanian Aborigines from the Pennemukeer band from Cape Grim, killing 30 and throwing their bodies over a 60 metre...
- 1828: Martial law later declared against Aborigines in settled areas after Van Diemen's Land Company shepherds kills 30 Aborigines at Cape GrimCape GrimCape Grim is the northwestern point of Tasmania, Australia.It is the location of the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station which is operated by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology in a joint programme with the CSIRO....
- 1828: Start of regular mailMailMail, or post, is a system for transporting letters and other tangible objects: written documents, typically enclosed in envelopes, and also small packages are delivered to destinations around the world. Anything sent through the postal system is called mail or post.In principle, a postal service...
service with Sydney - 1828: Widespread floods
- 1829: Jail for women convicts ("female factory") opens at Cascades
- 1829: "Protector" George Augustus Robinson starts Aboriginal mission at Bruny Island
- 1829: Convicts seize brig Cyprus at Recherche Bay and sail to China
- 1829: Van Diemen's Land Scientific Society formed under patronage of Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur
- 1829: Hobart-New Norfolk coach service begins
1830–1839
- 1830: George Augustus Robinson starts reconciliation efforts with Aborigines by visiting west coast
- 1830: Samuel Anderson, Pioneer Settler, arrives in Hobart aboard the Lang, employed as book keeper with Van Diemens Land Co. Will go on to establish the third permanent settlement in Victoria at Westernport.
- 1830: Administration launches "Black Line" military campaign across most of colony to round up Aborigines; in seven weeks two are shot and two are captured
- 1830: Port ArthurPort Arthur, TasmaniaPort Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, in Tasmania, Australia. Port Arthur is one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and the open air museum is officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction. It is located approximately 60 km south east of...
penal settlement established - 1830: Convict chain gang starts work on causewayCausewayIn modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated, usually across a broad body of water or wetland.- Etymology :When first used, the word appeared in a form such as “causey way” making clear its derivation from the earlier form “causey”. This word seems to have come from the same source by...
across Derwent at BridgewaterBridgewater, TasmaniaBridgewater, Tasmania, is one greater Hobart's northern-most suburbs, located 19 km from the city. It is situated on the eastern shore of the Derwent River. It is a suburb of the local government area of the Municipality of Brighton.... - 1831: Australia's first novel, Quintus Servinton, by Henry SaveryHenry SaveryHenry Savery was a convict transported to Port Arthur, Tasmania and Australia's first novelist. It is generally agreed that his writing is more important for its historical value than its literary merit....
, published in Hobart - 1831: New land regulations discontinue free land grantLand grantA land grant is a gift of real estate – land or its privileges – made by a government or other authority as a reward for services to an individual, especially in return for military service...
s, replacing them with sales - 1832: George Augustus RobinsonGeorge Augustus RobinsonGeorge Augustus Robinson was a builder and untrained preacher. He was the Chief Protector of Aborigines in Port Phillip District from 1839 to 1849...
arrives in Hobart with Aborigines from Oyster BayGreat Oyster BayGreat Oyster Bay is a broad and sheltered bay on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia which opens onto the Tasman Sea. The Tasman Highway runs close to the West Coast of the bay with spectacular views of the rugged granite peaks of the Hazards and Schouten Island of the Freycinet Peninsula which...
and Big River tribes, the last Aborigines removed from European-settled areas; WybalennaWybalenna IslandWybalenna Island comprises four round granite islands with a combined area of about 16 ha, in south-eastern Australia. It is part of Tasmania’s Prime Seal Island Group, lying in eastern Bass Strait west of Flinders in the Furneaux Group...
, Flinders IslandFlinders IslandFlinders Island may refer to:In Australia:* Flinders Island , in the Furneaux Group, is the largest and best known* Flinders Island * Flinders Island , in the Investigator Group* Flinders Island...
, chosen for Aboriginal resettlement site. - 1832: Ends of martial law against Aborigines
- 1832: Work starts on Cascade BreweryCascade BreweryCascade Brewery is the oldest continually operating brewery in Australia. It is based in South Hobart, Tasmania. The Cascade estate was founded beside the clean water of the Hobart Rivulet in 1824 by Peter Degraves, an entrepreneur who emigrated from England...
- 1832: Regular Hobart-Launceston coach service begins
- 1832: Maria Island penal settlement closes
- 1832: Derwent Light ("Iron Pot") lit for first time
- 1833: Robert Massie arrives in Tasmania takes up position as Engineer with Van Diemens Land Co.
- 1833: First professional theatricalTheatreTheatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
performance in Hobart - 1833: Macquarie HarbourMacquarie HarbourMacquarie Harbour is a large, shallow, but navigable by shallow draft vessels inlet on the West Coast of Tasmania, Australia.-History:James Kelly wrote in his narrative "First Discovery of Port Davey and Macquarie Harbour" how he sailed from Hobart in a small open five-oared whaleboat to discover...
penal settlement closes, convicts transferred to Port Arthur - 1834: Convicts evacuating Macquarie Harbour capture brig Frederick and sail to ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
- 1834: StagecoachStagecoachA stagecoach is a type of covered wagon for passengers and goods, strongly sprung and drawn by four horses, usually four-in-hand. Widely used before the introduction of railway transport, it made regular trips between stages or stations, which were places of rest provided for stagecoach travelers...
es begin daily Hobart-New Norfolk, weekly Hobart-Launceston services - 1834: Daily Hobart-New Norfolk steamship trips begin
- 1834: Launceston "female factory" completed
- 1834: Point Puer boys' convict establishment opens at Port Arthur
- 1834: First coal shipment leaves convict mines on Tasman Peninsula
- 1834: JuryJuryA jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
trial system for all civil cases begins - 1834: Horse-drawn coaches begin taxi-style service
- 1834: Henty brothers leave Launceston for Portland Bay to make first European settlement in VictoriaVictoria (Australia)Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
- 1835: Nearly all remaining Tasmanian Aborigines surrender to George Augustus Robinson and are moved to Flinders Island
- 1835: Transport George III sinks in D'Entrecasteaux ChannelD'Entrecasteaux ChannelThe D'Entrecasteaux Channel is a region of water between Bruny Island and the south-east of the mainland of Tasmania. It extends between the estuaries of the Derwent, and the Huon Rivers...
with loss of 139 male convicts of 220 aboard - 1835: In separate expeditions, John BatmanJohn BatmanJohn Batman was an Australian grazier, businessman and explorer who is best known for his role in the founding of a settlement which became Melbourne and the colony of Victoria.-Life:...
and John Pascoe FawknerJohn Pascoe FawknerJohn Pascoe Fawkner was an early pioneer, businessman and politician of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. In 1835 he financed a party of free settlers from Van Diemen's Land , to sail to the mainland in his ship, Enterprize...
leave Launceston to launch first European settlements at Port PhillipPort PhillipPort Phillip Port Phillip Port Phillip (also commonly referred to as Port Phillip Bay or (locally) just The Bay, is a large bay in southern Victoria, Australia; it is the location of Melbourne. Geographically, the bay covers and the shore stretches roughly . Although it is extremely shallow for...
, which developed into MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. - 1835: Samuel Anderson leaves Launceston to establish third permanent Victorian settlement at Bass in Western Port.
- 1835: Colonial artist John GloverJohn Glover (artist)John Glover was an English/Australian artist in what is known as the early colonial period of Australian art. In Australia he has been dubbed the father of Australian landscape painting.-Life in Europe:...
sends 35 paintings of Van Diemen's Land to London exhibition. - 1835: First meeting to establish Launceston Bank for Savings.
- 1836: First Catholic Church was built—St John the Evangelist's Church in Richmond. It is the oldest running Catholic Church in Australia.
- 1836: Charles DarwinCharles DarwinCharles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
visits Hobart during round-the-world voyage in HMS BeagleHMS BeagleHMS Beagle was a Cherokee-class 10-gun brig-sloop of the Royal Navy. She was launched on 11 May 1820 from the Woolwich Dockyard on the River Thames, at a cost of £7,803. In July of that year she took part in a fleet review celebrating the coronation of King George IV of the United Kingdom in which... - 1836: Post office moves to premises on corner of Elizabeth Street and Collins Street
- 1836: Eleven counties, and some parishes therein, proclaimed; establishing the cadastral divisions of the colony
- 1837: Robert Massie leaves VDL and joins Samuel Anderson at Bass Victoria where his skills as an engineer enhance their partnership with the building of a tidal powered flour mill.
- 1837: Theatre Royal opens
- 1837: Lieutenant Governor Sir John FranklinJohn FranklinRear-Admiral Sir John Franklin KCH FRGS RN was a British Royal Navy officer and Arctic explorer. Franklin also served as governor of Tasmania for several years. In his last expedition, he disappeared while attempting to chart and navigate a section of the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic...
founds Tasmanian Society for the Study of Natural Science - 1837: Police office built on corner of Macquarie Street and Murray Street
- 1838 The first secular register of births, deaths and marriages in the British colonies established
- 1838: First annual Hobart RegattaRegattaA regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
on Derwent - 1838: Work begins on old Customs House, which becomes Parliament HouseParliament House, CanberraParliament House is the meeting facility of the Parliament of Australia located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. The building was designed by Mitchell/Giurgola Architects and opened on 1988 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia...
at start of responsible self-government in 1856 - 1838: Sir John Franklin establishes board of education to introduce non-denominational schools
- 1838: Bruny Island lighthouseLighthouseA lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
completed
1840–1849
- 1840: Economic depressionDepression (economics)In economics, a depression is a sustained, long-term downturn in economic activity in one or more economies. It is a more severe downturn than a recession, which is seen by some economists as part of the modern business cycle....
starts, continues until 1845 - 1840: Captain James Ross arrives with Antarctic expedition in HMS Erebus and HMS Terror
- 1840: Sir John Franklin establishes Ross Bank meteorological observatory site, named after explorer, near present Government House site
- 1840: Dr William Bedford founds first Hobart private hospital (in house near Theatre Royal) after dispute at government hospital
- 1840: Transportation from Britain to NSW ends, causing heavier influx of convicts to Tasmania
- 1842: Colony's first official census, populationPopulationA population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
57,471 - 1842: The Weekly Examiner begins publication in Launceston
- 1842: Hobart proclaimed a cityCityA city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
- 1842: Tasmanian Journal of Natural Science, first Australian scientific journal, begins publication
- 1842: Peak year for convict arrivals (5329)
- 1842: Maria Island's Darlington penitentiary reopened
- 1843: Arrival of Tasmania's first Anglican bishop, Francis Russell NixonFrancis Russell NixonFrancis Russell Nixon was the first Bishop of Tasmania.Nixon was the son of Rev. Robert Nixon, an amateur painter. Nixon was educated at the Merchant Taylors school and St John's College, Oxford, graduating BA 1827 and subsequently MA and DD. He was chaplain at Naples and afterwards held the...
- 1843: Bushranger Martin CashMartin CashMartin Cash was a notorious convict bushranger known for escaping twice from Port Arthur, Van Diemen's Land...
captured in Hobart, his death sentence was commuted and he was later pardoned - 1844: First CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
bishop, Robert Willson, arrives - 1844: Formation of Royal Society of TasmaniaRoyal Society of TasmaniaThe Royal Society of Tasmania was formed in 1844.The RST was the first Royal Society outside the United Kingdom. It started as the "Tasmanian Society" formed by Sir John Franklin assisted by Ronald Campbell Gunn....
, first branch outside Britain, as development of society founded in 1837 by Sir John Franklin; society branch takes over botanical gardens - 1844: Norfolk IslandNorfolk IslandNorfolk Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but it enjoys a large degree of self-governance...
, formerly administered by NSW, comes under Tasmanian control - 1845: Emigrant ship Cataraqui wrecked near King Island, 406 lives lost
- 1845: Hobart Savings Bank opens
- 1845: Jewish community consecrates Hobart Synagogue, Australia's oldest
- 1845: Artist John Skinner ProutJohn Skinner ProutJohn Skinner Prout was born in Plymouth, England, nephew of the famous English watercolourist Samuel Prout.Prout emigrated to Sydney in 1840, accompanied by his wife and their seven children, Prout hoping to pursue a career in Australia as a professional artist and printer...
organises first known Australian exhibition of pictures in Hobart - 1846: Foundation of the Hutchins School and Launceston GrammarGrammarIn linguistics, grammar is the set of structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language. The term refers also to the study of such rules, and this field includes morphology, syntax, and phonology, often complemented by phonetics, semantics,...
School - 1846: Lieutenant-governor Sir John Eardley-Wilmot dismissed, allegedly for failure to suppress convict homosexualityHomosexualityHomosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
- 1846: Convict transportationPenal transportationTransportation or penal transportation is the deporting of convicted criminals to a penal colony. Examples include transportation by France to Devil's Island and by the UK to its colonies in the Americas, from the 1610s through the American Revolution in the 1770s, and then to Australia between...
to Tasmania suspended until 1848 - 1846: Tasmania becomes first Australian colony to enact legislation to protect native animals
- 1847: Britain orders closure of NSW convict establishment and transfer of remaining prisoners to Tasmania
- 1847: Big Hobart meeting petitions Queen VictoriaVictoria of the United KingdomVictoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
for end to transportation - 1847: Wybalenna Aboriginal settlement at Flinders IslandFlinders IslandFlinders Island may refer to:In Australia:* Flinders Island , in the Furneaux Group, is the largest and best known* Flinders Island * Flinders Island , in the Investigator Group* Flinders Island...
closes and surviving 47 Aborigines move to Oyster Cove - 1847: News of Sir John Franklin's death during ArcticArcticThe Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
exploration reaches Hobart - 1847: Charles Davis founds hardware business
- 1847: Launceston doctor W. R. Pugh uses ether as general anaesthetic for first time in Tasmania
- 1848: Hobart peaks as whalingWhalingWhaling is the hunting of whales mainly for meat and oil. Its earliest forms date to at least 3000 BC. Various coastal communities have long histories of sustenance whaling and harvesting beached whales...
port, with 1046 men aboard 37 ships - 1848: Colony now only place of transportation in British EmpireBritish EmpireThe British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
- 1849: "Young Irelanders" (Irish political prisoners), including William Smith O'BrienWilliam Smith O'BrienWilliam Smith O'Brien was an Irish Nationalist and Member of Parliament and leader of the Young Ireland movement. He was convicted of sedition for his part in the Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848, but his sentence of death was commuted to deportation to Van Diemen's Land. In 1854, he was...
, arrive at Port ArthurPort Arthur, TasmaniaPort Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, in Tasmania, Australia. Port Arthur is one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and the open air museum is officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction. It is located approximately 60 km south east of... - 1849: Anti-transportation league formed after Launceston public meeting
- 1849: Tasmania gets first public libraryLibraryIn a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
- 1849: Tasmanian appleAppleThe apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
growers export to the United States of America and New Zealand
1850–1859
- 1850: Prisoner Patrick O'DonoghuePatrick O'Donoghue (Young Irelander)Patrick O'Donoghue , also known as Patrick O'Donohoe, from Clonegal, County Carlow, was an Irish Nationalist revolutionary and journalist, a member of the Young Ireland movement.-Young Irelander Rebellion:...
starts publishing 'The Irish Exile', first Irish Nationalist paper in Australia. - 1850: First secular high school built at Domain
- 1850: Constitution Dock officially opened
- 1851: O'Donoghue sent to a chain-gang, released, restarts his paper and sent again to a chain-gang.
- 1851: Black Thursday bushfires in February
- 1851: InfluenzaInfluenzaInfluenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
epidemic - 1851: First electionElectionAn election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the...
for 16 non-appointed members of Legislative Council - 1851: Hobart Chamber of CommerceChamber of commerceA chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
established - 1851: Launceston host for first intercolonial cricketIntercolonial cricket in AustraliaIntercolonial cricket in Australia was the name used to describe first-class cricket matches played between the various colonies of Australia prior to federation in 1901. After federation, they became known as Interstate matches. By the 1880s regular intercolonials were being played, generally...
match (Van Diemen's Land v Port PhillipPort PhillipPort Phillip Port Phillip Port Phillip (also commonly referred to as Port Phillip Bay or (locally) just The Bay, is a large bay in southern Victoria, Australia; it is the location of Melbourne. Geographically, the bay covers and the shore stretches roughly . Although it is extremely shallow for...
district) - 1851: Maria IslandMaria IslandMaria Island is a mountainous island off the east coast of Tasmania. The entire island is a national park. Maria Island National Park has a total area of 115.50 km², which includes a marine area of 18.78 km² off the island's northwest coast. The island is about 20 km in length from...
's Darlington penitentiary abandoned - 1852: Elections for first Hobart and Launceston municipal councils
- 1852: Payable goldGoldGold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
discovered near FingalFingal, TasmaniaFingal is a small Australian town located in Fingal Valley in the north-east of Tasmania, on the Esk Highway.-History:The Fingal area was surveyed in 1824 by Roderic O'Connor and John Helder Wedge, and is believed to have been named after Fingal's Cave in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland rather than... - 1853: Jubilee festival in Hobart celebrates end of convict transportation after arrival of last ship, the St Vincent
- 1853: First Tasmanian adhesive postage stampPostage stampA postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
issued - 1854: Severe floods, fires hit city
- 1854: The MercuryThe Mercury (Hobart)The Mercury is a daily newspaper, published in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, by Davies Brothers Pty Ltd, part of News Limited and News Corporation...
founded as bi-weekly publication - 1855: Horse-drawn "buses" (large carts) begin services, mainly on city–New Town route; they later become enclosed vehicles
- 1855: Henry Young becomes first vice-regal representative to have title of GovernorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
- 1856: Name of Van Diemen's LandVan Diemen's LandVan Diemen's Land was the original name used by most Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to land on the shores of Tasmania...
officially changed to TasmaniaTasmaniaTasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
after grant of responsible self-government - 1856: New two-house Parliament opens after elections, William Champ becomes colony's first PremierPremiers of TasmaniaThe Premier of Tasmania is the head of the executive government in the Australian state of Tasmania. By convention, the party or political grouping which has majority support in the House of Assembly will nominate its leader to be Premier. The nominated politician is then invited by the Governor of...
- 1856: Norfolk IslandNorfolk IslandNorfolk Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but it enjoys a large degree of self-governance...
transferred from Tasmanian to NSW control - 1857: Hobart's municipal Incorporation
- 1857: Hobart-Launceston telegraph line opens
- 1857: Hobart customers start using coal gasCoal gasCoal gas is a flammable gaseous fuel made by the destructive distillation of coal containing a variety of calorific gases including hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane and volatile hydrocarbons together with small quantities of non-calorific gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen...
, streets get gas lighting - 1858: First meeting of Hobarts Marine Board, Australia's oldest port authorityPort authorityIn Canada and the United States a port authority is a governmental or quasi-governmental public authority for a special-purpose district usually formed by a legislative body to operate ports and other transportation infrastructure.Port authorities are usually governed by boards or...
- 1858: Hobart and Launceston councils form municipal policePoliceThe police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
s forces - 1858: Council of EducationEducationEducation in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
established - 1858: Hobart Savings BankBankA bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
founded - 1858: Parliament passes Rural Municipalities Act
- 1859: Worries about public health prompt Hobart Town Council to appoint health officer
- 1859: New Government HouseGovernment HouseGovernment House is the name of many of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by...
at Domain occupied for first time, by Governor Henry Young and Lady Young
1860–1869
- 1860: British troops sail from Hobart for Māori war in New Zealand
- 1860: Volunteer corps of infantryInfantryInfantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
, cavalryCavalryCavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
and artilleryArtilleryOriginally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
formed - 1860: Economic depressionDepression (economics)In economics, a depression is a sustained, long-term downturn in economic activity in one or more economies. It is a more severe downturn than a recession, which is seen by some economists as part of the modern business cycle....
- 1860: The MercuryThe Mercury (Hobart)The Mercury is a daily newspaper, published in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, by Davies Brothers Pty Ltd, part of News Limited and News Corporation...
begins daily publication - 1862: Tasmania adopts Torrens titleTorrens titleTorrens title is a system of land title where a register of land holdings maintained by the state guarantees an indefeasible title to those included in the register...
land-conveyancing and registration system - 1862: Serious DerwentDerwent River (Tasmania)The Derwent is a river in Tasmania, Australia. It was named after the River Derwent, Cumbria by British Commodore John Hayes who explored it in 1793. The name is Brythonic Celtic for "valley thick with oaks"....
flooding - 1862: Hobart's post officePost officeA post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
moves to rebuilt courthouse on corner of Macquarie St and Murray St - 1863: Opening of Tasmanian MuseumMuseumA museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
on present site - 1864: First shipment of trout and salmon ova arrives from England
- 1866: Hobart Town Hall opened
- 1866: Hobart Philharmonic Society formed
- 1867: George Peacock launches one of Australia's first jam factories in Hobart (later operated by Henry Jones and Co under the name IXLHenry Jones IXLHenry Jones IXL is a company primarily known as a manufacturer of jams, conserves and sauces in Australia.-History:The company was first established by Henry Jones in Hobart in 1891 as H. Jones & Company. The company derived from Jones' employment with George Peacock's jam factory from 1874...
) - 1868: First royal visit, during which Prince AlfredAlfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and GothaAlfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the third Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and reigned from 1893 to 1900. He was also a member of the British Royal Family, the second son and fourth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha...
(Duke of EdinburghDuke of EdinburghThe Duke of Edinburgh is a British royal title, named after the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726...
) lays foundation stone for St David's Cathedral and turns first sod for Tasmania's first railway, Launceston-DeloraineDeloraine, TasmaniaDeloraine is a town on the Meander River, in the central north of Tasmania, Australia. It lies 50 km west of Launceston and 52 km south of Devonport along the Bass Highway. It is part of the Meander Valley Council. At the 2006 census, Deloraine had a population of 2,243.The region was...
line, built by a private company. - 1868: With Education Act, Tasmania becomes first Australian colony to have compulsory state education system, administered by local school boards
- 1869: Death of William LanneWilliam LanneWilliam Lanne was a Tasmanian Aborigine. He is most well known as the last full-blooded Aboriginal Tasmanian man....
("King Billy"), reputedly the last full blood Tasmanian Aboriginal man; whose remains were disrespected horribly after disagreement over who should have his remains. - 1869: Submarine communications cableSubmarine communications cableA submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean....
successfully establishes link between Tasmania and Melbourne.
1870–1879
- 1870: British troops leave
- 1870: Tasmanian Public LibraryState Library of TasmaniaThe State Library of Tasmania is the organisation which runs the library system in the state of Tasmania, Australia. The State Library operates as part of the Tasmanian Department of Education, and maintains close ties with Tasmanian schools and senior secondary colleges.The headquarters of the...
formally constituted - 1871: Opening of Launceston–Deloraine railway, Tasmania's first—
- 1871: James "Philosopher" Smith discovers tin at Mount Bischoff
- 1872: Direct telegraphic communication begins between Tasmania and England
- 1873: Work begins on private operated Hobart–Launceston rail link—
- 1873: Government takes over Launceston-DeloraineDeloraine, TasmaniaDeloraine is a town on the Meander River, in the central north of Tasmania, Australia. It lies 50 km west of Launceston and 52 km south of Devonport along the Bass Highway. It is part of the Meander Valley Council. At the 2006 census, Deloraine had a population of 2,243.The region was...
line - 1874: St David's Cathedral consecrated
- 1874: Tasmanian Racing Club established
- 1874: Launceston rioters protest against rates levy for Deloraine railway
- 1874: First book publication of Marcus ClarkeMarcus ClarkeMarcus Andrew Hislop Clarke was an Australian novelist and poet, best known for his novel For the Term of his Natural Life.- Biography :...
's For the Term of His Natural LifeFor the Term of his Natural LifeFor the Term of His Natural Life, written by Marcus Clarke, was published in the Australian Journal between 1870 and 1872 , appearing as a novel in 1874. It is the best known novelisation of life as a convict in early Australian history...
, set mainly in Tasmania - 1875: Hobart Hospital begins professional training of nurses
- 1875: Widespread flooding
- 1876: TruganiniTruganiniTrugernanner , often referred to as Truganini, was a woman widely considered to be the last "full blood" Palawa ....
, described as last Tasmanian full blooded Aborigine, dies in Hobart - 1876: Hobart-Launceston railway opens
- 1877: Port Arthur penal settlement closed
- 1877: Gold discovered at BeaconsfieldBeaconsfield, TasmaniaBeaconsfield is a town near the Tamar River, in the north-east of Tasmania, Australia. It lies 40 kilometres north of Launceston on the West Tamar Highway. It is part of the Municipality of West Tamar...
- 1878: Mount Heemskirk tin mining begins
1880–1889
- 1880: Earthquake hits Hobart
- 1880: Tasmania gets first telephoneTelephoneThe telephone , colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sounds, usually the human voice. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other...
with line from city centre to Mount Nelson signal station - 1880: Start of Derwent Sailing Boat Club (later Royal Yacht Club of TasmaniaRoyal Yacht Club of TasmaniaThe Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, is the largest yacht club in the Australian state of Tasmania, and is best known for its role as the finishing destination for the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race...
) - 1880: Gold discovered at Pieman River on West Coast, TasmaniaWest Coast, TasmaniaThe West Coast of Tasmania is the part of the state that is strongly associated with wilderness, mining and tourism, rough country and isolation...
- 1881: William Shoobridge organises first trial shipment of appleAppleThe apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
s from Hobart to Britain - 1881: Hobart officially replaces 'Hobart Town' as capital's name
- 1882: Married Women's Property Act allows wives to own property in their own right
- 1882: Silver-lead discovered at ZeehanZeehan, TasmaniaZeehan is a town on the west coast of Tasmania, Australia. It lies southwest of Burnie. At the 2006 census, Zeehan had a population of 845. It is part of the Municipality of West Coast....
- 1882: Hobart Stock ExchangeAustralian Securities ExchangeThe Australian Securities Exchange was created by the merger of the Australian Stock Exchange and the Sydney Futures Exchange in July 2006. It is the primary stock exchange group in Australia....
opens - 1883: Typhoid and diphtheriaDiphtheriaDiphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity...
epidemic prompt public health legislation - 1883: Government opens first Hobart and Launceston telephone exchanges
- 1883: Trades and Labor Council formed
- 1883: Discovery of gold at "Iron Blow" at Mount Lyell amidst increased West Coast, TasmaniaWest Coast, TasmaniaThe West Coast of Tasmania is the part of the state that is strongly associated with wilderness, mining and tourism, rough country and isolation...
mineral prospecting - 1885: Education Department created, centralising control of schools
- 1885: Mersey and Deloraine Railway opened—4' 6" gauge
- 1885: Oatlands to Parattah Railway opened
- 1885: Formation of the Mt Lyell Prospecting Association
- 1886: Copper found at Mount Lyell
- 1886: Government takes over Tasmanian MuseumMuseumA museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
and Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens - 1886: Federal Council of Australasia discusses FederationFederationA federation , also known as a federal state, is a type of sovereign state characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central government...
at its first assembly held in Hobart - 1886: Public Health Act creates local boards of health
- 1887: Derwent ValleyDerwent Valley Railway (Tasmania)The Derwent Valley Railway is a heritage railway in Tasmania, Australia. It operates from New Norfolk. It is 3' 6" narrow gauge.-History:Tasmanian Government Railways opened the Derwent Valley Line in 1886. Initially, it ran from the junction at Bridgewater along the main north-south Hobart to...
railway line to New Norfolk opens, extended to Glenora within a year - 1887: Establishment of The Friends School in Hobart by the Society of Friends (Quakers).
- 1887: Italian entrepreneur Diego Bernacchi floats company to develop Maria IslandMaria IslandMaria Island is a mountainous island off the east coast of Tasmania. The entire island is a national park. Maria Island National Park has a total area of 115.50 km², which includes a marine area of 18.78 km² off the island's northwest coast. The island is about 20 km in length from...
- 1888: Hobart gets first technical school
- 1888: Reservoir water supply opened
- 1888: Launceston proclaimed a city
1890–1899
- 1890: University of TasmaniaUniversity of TasmaniaThe University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
opens at the Domain - 1890: Government takes over Hobart-Launceston railway
- 1890: Legislation provides for payment of Tasmanian parliamentarians
- 1891: Bank of Van Diemen's Land collapses, economic depression follows
- 1891: Queen Victoria Museum and Art GalleryQueen Victoria Museum and Art GalleryThe Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is a museum located in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. Established in 1891, the Queen Victoria has a strong reputation for its excellent collection, which includes fine exhibitions of colonial art, contemporary craft and design, Tasmanian history and...
opens in Launceston - 1891: Apsley Railway opened
- 1892: George FitzGerald founds FitzGeralds department store chain, now owned by Harris ScarfeHarris ScarfeHarris Scarfe Department Stores was founded in Adelaide, South Australia in 1849. At its peak, Adelaide was home to several major South Australian department stores , of which Harris Scarfe is the sole...
- 1893: Private company begins electric tramTramA tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
way in Hobart, first in an Australian capital city - 1893: Mount Lyell Mining and Railway CompanyMount Lyell Mining and Railway CompanyMount Lyell Mining and Railway Company was a Tasmanian mining company formed on the 29 March 1893, most commonly referred to as Mount Lyell. Mount Lyell was the dominant copper mining company of the West Coast from 1893 to 1994, and was based in Queenstown, Tasmania.Following consolidation of...
. formed - 1893: Government establishes Tasmanian Tourist Association
- 1894: Hobart international exhibition opens
- 1894: Government introduces flat-rate income tax system
- 1895: Premiers conference in Hobart discusses proposals for federal constitution and plebiscite.
- 1895: Launceston becomes first southern hemisphere city to get electric light after first Tasmanian hydro-electric station opens at Duck Reach on South Esk RiverSouth Esk RiverThe South Esk River is the longest river in Tasmania. It starts in the mountains near Fingal flowing through Avoca, Evandale, Longford, Hadspen and finally Launceston. The river is dammed at Trevallyn Dam near Launceston and used for the city's Hydro Electricity scheme...
- 1895: All Tasmanian districts move to Australian Eastern Standard Time, ending different time zones in colony
- 1896: Entrepreneur George Adams launches TattersallsTattersallsTattersalls is the main auctioneer of race horses in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall , who had been stud groom to the second Duke of Kingston. The first premises occupied were near Hyde Park Corner, in what was then the outskirts of London...
lottery venture in Hobart; first lottery held to dispose of assets of failed Bank of Van Diemen's Land - 1896: Ore smeltingSmeltingSmelting is a form of extractive metallurgy; its main use is to produce a metal from its ore. This includes iron extraction from iron ore, and copper extraction and other base metals from their ores...
begins at Mount LyellMount Lyell Mining and Railway CompanyMount Lyell Mining and Railway Company was a Tasmanian mining company formed on the 29 March 1893, most commonly referred to as Mount Lyell. Mount Lyell was the dominant copper mining company of the West Coast from 1893 to 1994, and was based in Queenstown, Tasmania.Following consolidation of... - 1897: Hare-ClarkSingle transferable voteThe single transferable vote is a voting system designed to achieve proportional representation through preferential voting. Under STV, an elector's vote is initially allocated to his or her most preferred candidate, and then, after candidates have been either elected or eliminated, any surplus or...
voting system used on trial basis for state polls in Hobart and Launceston - 1897: Formation of Southern Tasmania Football Association
- 1897: Serious bushfires start on New Year's Eve, end with six lives lost
- 1898: Tasmanians vote four to one in favour of referendumReferendumA referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
on federation with mainland colonies - 1898: Municipal police forces become part of new statewide government force
- 1898: Electric street lighting begins in Hobart
- 1898: Norwegian-born Carsten Borchgrevink's Antarctic expedition arrives in Hobart on way south; Tasmanian Louis BernacchiLouis BernacchiLouis Charles Bernacchi , a physicist and astronomer, is best known for his role in several expeditions to the Antarctic.-Early life:...
joins as physicist - 1899: First Tasmanian troops leave for Second Boer WarSecond Boer WarThe Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
in South Africa - 1899: Federation of AustraliaFederation of AustraliaThe Federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia formed one nation...
wins overwhelming Tasmanian approval in second referendum
1900–1909
- 1900: More Tasmanian troops leave for Second Boer War
- 1900: Adult male suffrageSuffrageSuffrage, political franchise, or simply the franchise, distinct from mere voting rights, is the civil right to vote gained through the democratic process...
for House of AssemblyHouse of AssemblyHouse of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level....
adopted, with property qualifications abolished - 1900: End of whaling operations from Hobart
- 1900: Bubonic plagueBubonic plaguePlague is a deadly infectious disease that is caused by the enterobacteria Yersinia pestis, named after the French-Swiss bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin. Primarily carried by rodents and spread to humans via fleas, the disease is notorious throughout history, due to the unrivaled scale of death...
scare grips Tasmania - 1900: Macquarie IslandMacquarie IslandMacquarie Island lies in the southwest corner of the Pacific Ocean, about half-way between New Zealand and Antarctica, at 54°30S, 158°57E. Politically, it has formed part of the Australian state of Tasmania since 1900 and became a Tasmanian State Reserve in 1978. In 1997 it became a world heritage...
becomes a Tasmanian dependency - 1901: Administrator Sir John Dodds reads proclamation of Commonwealth of Australia from Tasmanian Supreme Court steps
- 1901: Visit by Duke and Duchess of CornwallCornwallCornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
and York (future King George VGeorge V of the United KingdomGeorge V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
and Queen MaryMary of TeckMary of Teck was the queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, as the wife of King-Emperor George V....
) - 1901: First elections for Federal Parliament
- 1901: Zeehan conference leads to formation of Tasmanian Workers Political League (forerunner to Labor PartyAustralian Labor PartyThe Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
) - 1902: Last Tasmanian troops return from the Boer War
- 1902: Robert Carl StichtRobert Carl StichtRobert Carl Sticht was an American metallurgist and copper mine manager, active in Colorado and Montana, U.S.A. and in Tasmania, Australia...
completes world's first successful pyritic smelting at Mount LyellMount Lyell Mining and Railway CompanyMount Lyell Mining and Railway Company was a Tasmanian mining company formed on the 29 March 1893, most commonly referred to as Mount Lyell. Mount Lyell was the dominant copper mining company of the West Coast from 1893 to 1994, and was based in Queenstown, Tasmania.Following consolidation of... - 1903: Women get House of Assembly voting right (the already had it for federal polls)
- 1903: Hobart-Launceston telephone line opens
- 1903: Two ships leave Hobart on relief expedition to free British explorer Robert ScottRobert Falcon ScottCaptain Robert Falcon Scott, CVO was a Royal Navy officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the Antarctic regions: the Discovery Expedition, 1901–04, and the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition, 1910–13...
's Discovery from Antarctic ice - 1903: Launceston smallpoxSmallpoxSmallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
epidemic forces cancellation of Tasmanian centenary celebrations, some festivities a year later - 1904: Legislation allows Tasmanian women to become lawyers
- 1904: Formation of Tasmanian National Association (forerunner to Liberal Party)
- 1904: Native flora and fauna reserve declared at Schouten IslandSchouten IslandSchouten Island is a 28 km2 island in eastern Tasmania, Australia. It lies 1.6 kilometres south of Freycinet Peninsula and is a part of Freycinet National Park.-History:...
and Freycinet PeninsulaFreycinet PeninsulaFreycinet Peninsula is a large peninsula in eastern Tasmania, Australia. It is located north of Schouten Island, at . It is the site of Freycinet National Park.... - 1905: WirelessWirelessWireless telecommunications is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not physically connected. Distances can be short, such as a few meters for television remote control, or as far as thousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications...
telegraphyTelegraphyTelegraphy is the long-distance transmission of messages via some form of signalling technology. Telegraphy requires messages to be converted to a code which is known to both sender and receiver...
experiments between Hobart and Tasman Island and between state and mainland - 1905: General Post OfficePost officeA post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
building opens - 1906: Marconi Co. demonstrated a wireless telegraphy service between DevonportDevonport, Tasmania-Sport:The Devonport Football Club is an Australian Rules team competing in the Tasmanian Statewide League. The Devonport Rugby Club is a Rugby Union team competing in the Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League...
and QueenscliffQueenscliff, VictoriaQueenscliff is a small town on the Bellarine Peninsula in southern Victoria, Australia, south of Swan Bay at the entrance to Port Phillip. It is the administrative centre for the Borough of Queenscliffe...
, VictoriaVictoria (Australia)Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively.... - 1906: Tasman Lighthouse first lit
- 1907: New public library, built with money from American philanthropistPhilanthropistA philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
Andrew CarnegieAndrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
, opens in Hobart - 1907: Hare-Clark voting system extended to all of Tasmania
- 1908: State school fees abolished
- 1908: Queen Alexandra Maternity Hospital opens in Hobart
- 1908: First Scout troopsScouting in TasmaniaScouting in Tasmania, a State of Australia, is predominantly represented by the branch of Scouts Australia and Girl Guides NSW & ACT, a member organisation of Girl Guides Australia...
formed - 1909: Guy Fawkes Day (November 5) fire destroy Hobart market, City Hall later built on site
- 1909: First statewide use of Hare-Clark voting system elects first Labor government, led by John Earle; government lasts only one week, with return of conservatives
- 1909: Irish blight wipes out potato crop
1910–1919
- 1910: Carters' wage strike paralyses Hobart for a week, ends with win for workers
- 1910: Legislation sets maximum 48-hour working week and minimum wages in several trades
- 1910: Great Lake hydro-electric project starts
- 1911: Douglas MawsonDouglas MawsonSir Douglas Mawson, OBE, FRS, FAA was an Australian geologist, Antarctic explorer and Academic. Along with Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott, and Ernest Shackleton, Mawson was a key expedition leader during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.-Early work:He was appointed geologist to an...
's ship AuroraAurora (ship)SY Aurora was a steam yacht built by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd. shipbuilders in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1876, for the Dundee Seal and Whale Fishing Company. Her primary use was whaling in the northern seas, and she was built sturdily enough to withstand the heavy weather and ice that would be...
docks in Hobart on way to Antarctic - 1911: Philip Smith teachers' college opens at Domain, Electric trams begin running in Launceston
- 1912: Mount Lyell1912 North Mount Lyell DisasterThe 1912 North Mount Lyell Disaster refers to a fire that broke out on 12 October 1912 at the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company operations on the West Coast of Tasmania...
fire traps miners underground, 42 die - 1912: Norwegian Roald AmundsenRoald AmundsenRoald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen was a Norwegian explorer of polar regions. He led the first Antarctic expedition to reach the South Pole between 1910 and 1912 and he was the first person to reach both the North and South Poles. He is also known as the first to traverse the Northwest Passage....
, first man to reach South PoleSouth PoleThe South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
, arrives in Hobart on return from Antarctic expedition - 1912: Hobart City Council takes over tramway service
- 1912: First Tasmanian Girl GuideGuides AustraliaGirl Guides Australia is the national Guiding organisation in Australia. It provides a girls only space and its mission is to enable girls and young women to grow into confident, self respecting members of the community. Membership is open to all girls and young women from all cultures, faiths and...
company formed - 1913: First government high schools open in Hobart and Launceston
- 1913: Hobart City Council buys tram service
- 1913: Term "free by servitude" referring to ex-convicts, appears for last time in official documents, after use for more than 100 years
- 1914: A. Delfosse Badgery makes Tasmania's first flight from Elwick in a plane he built himself
- 1914: First Tasmanian troops leave to fight in World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
- 1914: The town of Bismarck is renamed CollinsvaleCollinsvale, TasmaniaCollinsvale is a suburb of the City of Glenorchy, part of the greater Hobart area in Tasmania, Australia.The area was originally known called Sorell Creek, and was inhabited mostly by British settlers in the mid-nineteenth century...
due to anti-German sentiment inflamed by the war - 1914: State government buys hydro-electric company
- 1915: Tasmanian legislation establishes Australia's first special authority to create and manage parks and reserves
- 1915: Serious bushfires
- 1916: In Tasmania's worse rail disaster, driver and six passengers die, 31 survive injuries, after Launceston-Hobart express crashes near CampaniaCampania, TasmaniaCampania is a township located in Tasmania's Coal River Valley. It is located in the Southern Midlands Council.It is one of the most important wine-producing regions of Tasmania, and has had commercial vineyards since the mid-19th century.-History:...
- 1916: First all-Tasmanian battalionBattalionA battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
(the 40th) leaves for World War I - 1916: Opening of Great Lakes hydro scheme's first stage, WaddamanaWaddamana, TasmaniaWaddamana is a former 'hydro-town' in Tasmania. It is at the foot of the southern side of the Central Plateau of Tasmania.It flourished with a population of over 100 in the early 1900s when the power plant situated there was being built...
power station - 1916: State's first national parkNational parkA national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
s declared at Mount FieldMount Field National ParkMount Field National Park is a national park in Tasmania, Australia, 64 km northwest of Hobart. The landscape ranges from eucalyptus temperate rainforest to alpine moorland, rising to 1,434 metres at the summit of Mount Field West....
and FreycinetFreycinet National ParkFreycinet is a national park on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, 125 km northeast of Hobart. It occupies a large part of the Freycinet Peninsula, named after French navigator Louis de Freycinet, and Schouten Island.... - 1916: Daylight saving timeDaylight saving timeDaylight saving time —also summer time in several countries including in British English and European official terminology —is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summertime so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less...
first introduced as temporary wartime measure - 1917: Electrolytic Zinc Company works at Risdon and Australian Commonwealth Carbide's plant at Electrona established
- 1917: Ridgeway reservoir completed
- 1919: Worldwide Spanish influenza epidemic reaches Tasmania, affecting one-third of the population and claiming 171 lives
- 1919: Ex-World War I airman A. L. Long makes first flightFlightFlight is the process by which an object moves either through an atmosphere or beyond it by generating lift or propulsive thrust, or aerostatically using buoyancy, or by simple ballistic movement....
over Bass Strait - 1919: Frozen Tasmanian meat exported for the first time
1920–1929
- 1920: Visit by Prince of Wales, future King Edward VIIIEdward VIII of the United KingdomEdward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
- 1920: Miena dam completed
- 1920: Launceston-born Hudson FyshHudson FyshSir Wilmot Hudson Fysh KBE, DFC was an Australian aviator and businessman. A founder of the Australian airline company Qantas, Fysh was born in Launceston, Tasmania. Serving in the Battle of Gallipoli and Palestine Campaign as a lieutenant of the Australian Light Horse Brigade, Fysh later became...
helps found QantasQantasQantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport... - 1922: Legislation enables women to stand in state elections
- 1922: Legacy movement starts with founding of Remembrance Club in Hobart by Major-General Sir John GellibrandJohn GellibrandMajor General Sir John Gellibrand KCB, DSO & Bar was an Australian Army Major General in World War I and member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing the Tasmanian Division of Denison as a Nationalist Party member from 1925 to 1928.-Early life and career:John "Jack" Gellibrand...
- 1922: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National ParkCradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National ParkCradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is located in the Central Highlands area of Tasmania , 165 km northwest of Hobart. The park contains many walking trails, and is where hikes along the well-known Overland Track usually begins...
proclaimed - 1923: First concert by Hobart Symphony Orchestra
- 1923: Severe flooding in Hobart
- 1923: Labor's Joseph LyonsJoseph LyonsJoseph Aloysius Lyons, CH was an Australian politician. He was Labor Premier of Tasmania from 1923 to 1928 and a Minister in the James Scullin government from 1929 until his resignation from the Labor Party in March 1931...
, a future prime minister, becomes state premier - 1924: Private company starts first Tasmanian radio stationRadio stationRadio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
, 7ZL (now part of ABC), with regular broadcasts from The MercuryThe Mercury (Hobart)The Mercury is a daily newspaper, published in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, by Davies Brothers Pty Ltd, part of News Limited and News Corporation...
building - 1924: Electrolytic Zinc Co makes first superphosphate at Risdon
- 1925: Workmen open David Collins' grave during conversion of old St David's Cemetery into St David's Park
- 1925: OsmiridiumOsmiridiumOsmiridium, are names given to natural alloys of osmium and iridium, with traces of other platinum group metals. Osmiridium has been defined as containing a higher proportion of iridium, while iridosmine contains more osmium...
fields discovered at Adamsfield in south-west - 1927: Inquiry into proposed bridge linking Hobart city with eastern shore
- 1927: Visit by Duke and Duchess of York (future King George VIGeorge VI of the United KingdomGeorge VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
and Queen ElizabethElizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
) - 1928: Cadbury's Claremont factory makes first chocolateChocolateChocolate is a raw or processed food produced from the seed of the tropical Theobroma cacao tree. Cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia in Mexico, Central and South America. Its earliest documented use is around 1100 BC...
- 1928: Voting in Tasmanian state electionElectionAn election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the...
s becomes compulsory (federal voting became compulsory in 1924) - 1929: Disastrous floods1929 Tasmanian FloodsThe most deadly floods in Tasmania's history occurred in April 1929 when 22 people were killed and 40 injured. The floods helped to prompt the construction of flood levees in the city of Launceston, Tasmania's second largest city and an important economic centre in the North of Tasmania.Flooding...
, mainly in Northern Tasmania, take 22 lives; dam burst damages Derby township and tin mines - 1929: Hobart gets automatic telephoneTelephoneThe telephone , colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sounds, usually the human voice. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other...
system - 1929: Great DepressionGreat DepressionThe Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
begins - 1929: Legislation creates Hydro-Electric CommissionHydro TasmaniaHydro Tasmania, known for most of its history as The HEC, is the government owned enterprise which is the predominant electricity generator in the state of Tasmania, Australia...
, replacing government department
1930–1939
- 1931: Tasmanian Harold GattyHarold GattyHarold Charles Gatty was an Australian navigator, inventor, and aviation pioneer...
and American Wiley PostWiley PostWiley Hardeman Post was a famed American aviator, the first pilot to fly solo around the world. Also known for his work in high altitude flying, Post helped develop one of the first pressure suits. His Lockheed Vega aircraft, the Winnie Mae, was on display at the National Air and Space Museum's...
make record round-the-world flightFlightFlight is the process by which an object moves either through an atmosphere or beyond it by generating lift or propulsive thrust, or aerostatically using buoyancy, or by simple ballistic movement....
(eight days, 15 hours) - 1932: Ivan and Victor Holyman start air service between Launceston and Flinders IslandFlinders IslandFlinders Island may refer to:In Australia:* Flinders Island , in the Furneaux Group, is the largest and best known* Flinders Island * Flinders Island , in the Investigator Group* Flinders Island...
- 1932: Lyell HighwayLyell HighwayThe Lyell Highway is a highway in Tasmania, running from Hobart to Queenstown. The name is derived from Mount Lyell, the mountain peak where copper was found in the late 19th century, and the site of the Mount Lyell copper mine, and the sole reason for the existence of Queenstown...
opens, linking Hobart with West CoastWest Coast, TasmaniaThe West Coast of Tasmania is the part of the state that is strongly associated with wilderness, mining and tourism, rough country and isolation... - 1932: Former premier Joseph Lyons becomes prime minister, only Tasmanian to hold that office
- 1933: Commonwealth Grants Commission appointed to inquire into affairs of claimant states, including Tasmania
- 1934: Holyman Airways (a forerunner of Ansett Airlines) launches Launceston-Melbourne service, within months, company plane Miss Hobart disappears over Bass Strait with loss of 12 people, including proprietor Victor Holyman
- 1934: Election of government led by Albert OgilvieAlbert OgilvieAlbert George Ogilvie was an Australian politician and Premier of Tasmania from 22 June 1934 until his death on 10 June 1939....
starts 35 years of continuous Labor governments - 1935: Five die when Holyman Airways plane Loina crashes off Flinders IslandFlinders IslandFlinders Island may refer to:In Australia:* Flinders Island , in the Furneaux Group, is the largest and best known* Flinders Island * Flinders Island , in the Investigator Group* Flinders Island...
. - 1935: Hobart gets first electric trolley buses
- 1935: Legislation for three-year state parliament terms
- 1936: SS Paringa sinks in Bass StraitBass StraitBass Strait is a sea strait separating Tasmania from the south of the Australian mainland, specifically the state of Victoria.-Extent:The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Bass Strait as follows:...
while towing tanker, 31 die - 1936: ABCAustralian Broadcasting CorporationThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
forms orchestra - 1936 (7 September): Last known Tasmanian tiger (thylacineThylacineThe thylacine or ,also ;binomial name: Thylacinus cynocephalus, Greek for "dog-headed pouched one") was the largest known carnivorous marsupial of modern times. It is commonly known as the Tasmanian tiger or the Tasmanian wolf...
) dies at Hobart's Beaumaris Zoo - 1936: First commercial flights use federal aerodrome at Cambridge
- 1936: Submarine telephone cable service begins between Tasmania and Victoria via King Island
- 1936: First two area schools (renamed district schools in 1973) open at Sheffield and Hagley
- 1937: Open of Mount Wellington summit road, built as Depression relief work project
- 1937: PoliomyelitisPoliomyelitisPoliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route...
epidemic - 1937: Five-year state parliamentary terms return
- 1938: Production starts at APPM's BurnieBurnie, Tasmania- Sport :Australian rules football is popular in Burnie. The city's team is the Burnie Dockers Football Club in the Tasmanian State League.Rugby union is also played in Burnie. The local club is the Burnie Rugby Union Club. They are the current Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide Division Two Premiers...
mill - 1938: Work begins on floating arch bridge across Derwent in Hobart
- 1939: World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
begins - 1939: Death in office of prime minister Joseph Lyons
- 1939: Royal Hobart HospitalRoyal Hobart HospitalThe Royal Hobart Hospital is a public hospital located the in Hobart CBD, Tasmania, Australia. The RHH also functions as a teaching hospital in co-operation with University of Tasmania. The hospital's research facilities are known as the RHH Research Foundation.The hospital is run by the Tasmanian...
opens on present site
1940–1949
- 1940: Tasmanian soldiers leave for North African campaign with Australian 6th DivisionAustralian 6th DivisionThe 6th Division of the Australian Army was a unit in the Second Australian Imperial Force during World War II. It served in the North African campaign, the Greek campaign and the New Guinea campaign, including the crucial battles of the Kokoda Track, among others...
- 1940: German naval raiders Pinguin and Atlantis lay mines off Hobart and other Australian areas. Hobart closed to shipping because of mine threat; Bass Strait closed after mine sinks British steamer Cambridge.
- 1941: Tasmanian soldiers leave for MalayaBritish MalayaBritish Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
with Australian 8th DivisionAustralian 8th DivisionThe 8th Division of the Australian Army was formed to serve in World War II, as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, who were in turn, part of the Allies of World War II. The 8th Division was raised from regular army units and new, all-volunteer infantry brigades, from July 1940 onwards... - 1941: Australian Newsprint Mills' Boyer plant becomes first in world to produce newsprint from hardwood
- 1942 (January–March): daylight saving timeDaylight saving timeDaylight saving time —also summer time in several countries including in British English and European official terminology —is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summertime so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less...
introduced as wartime measure - 1942: Women 18 to 30 called up for war work
- 1943: Floating-arch pontoon bridge Hobart BridgeHobart BridgeThe Hobart Bridge was a pontoon bridge that crossed the River Derwent, connecting the eastern and western Shores of the City of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.- History :...
opens - 1943: Enid LyonsEnid LyonsDame Enid Muriel Lyons, AD, GBE was an Australian politician and the first woman to be elected to the Australian House of Representatives as well as the first woman appointed to the federal Cabinet...
(later Dame Enid), widow of Joseph Lyons, elected first woman member of House of RepresentativesAustralian House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
, winning seat of Darwin (now BraddonDivision of BraddonThe Division of Braddon is an Australian Electoral Division in Tasmania.The division was created in 1955 to replace the abolished Division of Darwin, and is named for Sir Edward Braddon, a Premier of Tasmania and one of Tasmania's five original federal MPs...
). - 1944: University of TasmaniaUniversity of TasmaniaThe University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
begins transfer to Sandy BaySandy Bay, TasmaniaSandy Bay is a suburb of the city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, located immediately south of the central business district.The suburb is home to many large homes, and adjoins the waterfront Salamanca area and Battery Point. The suburb is known as one of the city's prestigious areas...
site - 1944: State Library established
- 1945: Rani wins first Sydney to Hobart Yacht RaceSydney to Hobart Yacht RaceThe Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, starting in Sydney, Australia on Boxing Day and finishing in Hobart. The race distance is approximately...
- 1946: Australian National Airways plane crashes at Seven Mile Beach, killing 25
- 1946: Last horse-drawn Hobart cab ceases operation
- 1946: Poliomyelitis epidemic
- 1947: War-affected migrants begin arriving from Europe to work for Hydro-Electric Commission
- 1947: Edward Brooker takes over as Labor premier after Robert Cosgrove's resignation to face corruption and bribery charges
- 1948: Margaret McIntyre wins Legislative Council seat in May, becoming the first woman member of Tasmanian Parliament; airliner crash in NSW in September kills her and 12 others.
- 1948: Robert Cosgrove resumes premiership after acquittal on corruption and bribery charges
- 1948: ABC forms Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra on permanent basis
- 1948: Fire destroys Ocean Pier
- 1948: Antarctic research station established on Macquarie IslandMacquarie IslandMacquarie Island lies in the southwest corner of the Pacific Ocean, about half-way between New Zealand and Antarctica, at 54°30S, 158°57E. Politically, it has formed part of the Australian state of Tasmania since 1900 and became a Tasmanian State Reserve in 1978. In 1997 it became a world heritage...
- 1949: Poliomyelitis epidemic
- 1949: Government introduces compulsory X-rays in fight against tuberculosis
- 1949: Tasmanian politician Dame Enid Lyons, widow of former prime minister Joseph Lyons, becomes first woman to reach federal ministry rank, as Executive Council vice-president
- 1949: Government buys Theatre Royal
1950–1959
- 1951: BrightonBrighton, TasmaniaBrighton is a suburb 27km north of Hobart, in Tasmania, Australia. It lies between Pontville and the outer Hobart suburb of Bridgewater on the Midland Highway. At the 2006 census, Brighton had a population of 3,145.-History:...
army camp gets first intake of national serviceNational serviceNational service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
trainees - 1951: Hartz Mountains National ParkHartz Mountains National ParkHartz Mountains National Park is located in the south of Tasmania, Australia. It is one of 19 Tasmanian National Parks, and in 1989 it was included in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, in recognition of its natural and cultural values...
proclaimed - 1951: Tasmanian Historical Research AssociationTasmanian Historical Research AssociationTasmanian Historical Research AssociationHobart based Tasmanian historical group and publisher in existence since 1951. The Launceston Royal Society became the Launceston Historical Society in 1988....
commences - 1951: Serious bushfires
- 1951: Italian and German migrants arrive to work under contract for Hydro-Electric Commission
- 1952: First woman elected to Hobart City Council
- 1952: Severe floods
- 1952: Government ends free hospital scheme
- 1952: Single state licensing body formed for hotels and clubs
- 1953: Tasman Limited diesel train service begins between Hobart and northern towns
- 1953: Housing Department created to manage public housing
- 1953: BeaconsfieldBeaconsfieldBeaconsfield is a market town and civil parish operating as a town council within the South Bucks district in Buckinghamshire, England. It lies northwest of Charing Cross in Central London, and south-east of the county town of Aylesbury...
becomes first Australian centre to get fluoridated water - 1954: Queen Elizabeth IIElizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
becomes first reigning monarch to visit state, accompanied by Prince Phillip. As part of 150th anniversary celebrations, she unveils monument to pioneer British settlers - 1954: Hobart Rivulet area damaged as severe floods affect southern and eastern Tasmania
- 1954: Metropolitan Transport Trust formed
- 1954: TattersallsTattersallsTattersalls is the main auctioneer of race horses in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall , who had been stud groom to the second Duke of Kingston. The first premises occupied were near Hyde Park Corner, in what was then the outskirts of London...
Lotteries moves headquarters from Hobart to Melbourne - 1954: Spouses of property owners get right to vote in Legislative Council elections
- 1955: Royal commission appointed to inquire into University of TasmaniaUniversity of TasmaniaThe University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
after request by Professor Sydney Orr - 1955: House of Assembly gets first two women members, Liberals Mabel Miller and Amelia Best
- 1955: Hobart becomes first Australian city to get parking meterParking meterA parking meter is a device used to collect money in exchange for the right to park a vehicle in a particular place for a limited amount of time. Parking meters can be used by municipalities as a tool for enforcing their integrated on-street parking policy, usually related to their traffic and...
s - 1955: Proclamation of Lake PedderLake PedderLake Pedder was once a natural lake, located in the southwest of Tasmania, Australia but the name is now used in an official sense to refer to the much larger artificial impoundment and diversion lake formed when the original lake was expanded by damming in 1972 by the Hydro Electric Commission of...
National Park (later extended to form Southwest National ParkSouthwest National ParkThe Southwest National Park is a national park located in the south-west of Tasmania, Australia. The park is Tasmania's largest and forms part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area....
). - 1955: First ingot poured at Bell Bay aluminium refinery
- 1955: Labor Party's federal conference in Hobart brings Australian Labor PartyAustralian Labor PartyThe Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
split over industrial groups to head, leading to formation of Australian Labor Party (Anti-Communist), later Democratic Labor PartyDemocratic Labor PartyThe Democratic Labor Party is a political party in Australia that espouses social conservatism and opposes neo-liberalism. The first "DLP" Senator in decades, party vice-president John Madigan was elected to the Australian Senate with 2.3 percent of the primary vote in Victoria at the 2010 federal... - 1955: Lactos cheese factory opens at BurnieBurnie, Tasmania- Sport :Australian rules football is popular in Burnie. The city's team is the Burnie Dockers Football Club in the Tasmanian State League.Rugby union is also played in Burnie. The local club is the Burnie Rugby Union Club. They are the current Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide Division Two Premiers...
- 1956: University of Tasmania Council dismisses Professor Sydney Orr, alleging improper conduct by him with female student; Orr launches unsuccessful court action against university for wrongful dismissal
- 1956: Tasmania gets first woman mayor, Dorothy EdwardsDorothy EdwardsDorothy Edwards was a British children's writer.Born as Dorothy Violet Ellen Brown into a working-class family, her father taught her to read at an early age, enabling her to write her first story at four years of age...
of Launceston - 1957: Water Act establishes Rivers and Water Supply Commission
- 1958: Hobart waterside works block two Australian Labor Party (Anti-Communist) members, father Frank Hursey and son Denis, from working in dispute over their objection to paying union levy that would partly go to ALP; police guard Hurseys after court order; Supreme Court awards them damages
- 1959: MG Car Club of Tasmania formed
- 1959: Princess of Tasmania becomes first roll-on/roll-off passenger ferryFerryA ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
on Bass StraitBass StraitBass Strait is a sea strait separating Tasmania from the south of the Australian mainland, specifically the state of Victoria.-Extent:The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Bass Strait as follows:...
run - 1959: High Court verdict in Hursey case upholds unions' right to levy members for political purposes, expel those who refuse to pay
- 1959: Federal Government reduces claimant states to two, Tasmania and Western Australia
1960–1969
- 1960: Severe floods in Derwent Valley and Hobart, with business basements under water and houses washed away
- 1960: Television stations ABT-2 (ABCAustralian Broadcasting CorporationThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
) and TVT-6TVT-6TVT is the first provincial television station in Australia and Hobart's, and Tasmania's, first television station, delivering its first official broadcast on 23 May 1960. The callsign stood for "TeleVision Tasmania"....
(now WINWIN TelevisionWIN Television is an Australian television network owned by the WIN Corporation that is based in Wollongong, New South Wales. WIN commenced transmissions on 18 March 1962 as a single Wollongong-only station, and has since expanded to 24 owned-and-operated stations with transmissions covering a...
) start programs from Mount Wellington transmitters - 1960: New jail opens at RisdonRisdon, TasmaniaRisdon is a suburb of Hobart, capital city of Tasmania, Australia. It is west of Risdon Vale. Eucalyptus risdonii is native to this location, and is the emblem of Geilston Bay High School....
- 1960: Hobart tramTramA tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
s cease, succeeded by electric trolley buses - 1960: First meeting of Inland Fisheries Commission
- 1960: Opening of new State Library headquarters
- 1960: First city parking station opens in Argyle Street
- 1961: Construction of Hobart-Sydney ferry terminal begins
- 1962: Australian Paper Makers Ltd's Port Huon mill opens
- 1962: TEMCO's Bell Bay ferro-manganese plant begins production
- 1962: Government subsidises municipal fluoridation schemes
- 1963: University of Tasmania completes move to Sandy BaySandy Bay, TasmaniaSandy Bay is a suburb of the city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, located immediately south of the central business district.The suburb is home to many large homes, and adjoins the waterfront Salamanca area and Battery Point. The suburb is known as one of the city's prestigious areas...
site; Universities Commission recommends medical school - 1964: Tasman BridgeTasman BridgeThe Tasman Bridge is a five-lane bridge crossing the Derwent River, near the CBD of Hobart, Tasmania. The bridge has a total length of 1,395 metres . It provides the main traffic route from the CBD to the eastern shore - particularly Hobart International Airport and Bellerive Oval...
opens for traffic, old pontoon bridge towed away - 1964: Hobart's water supply fluoridated
- 1964: GlenorchyGlenorchy, TasmaniaGlenorchy is a business district and suburb in the northern part of greater Hobart, capital of the state of Tasmania, Australia. The land was originally used for agriculture but is now a largely suburban, working-class area...
proclaimed city - 1965: First Tasmanians leave for Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
under national service scheme - 1965: Ferry Empress of Australia makes first Sydney-Hobart voyage
- 1965: Official opening of Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music
- 1965: Bass Strait oil drilling begins
- 1966: Huge copper reserves found in Mount Lyell area
- 1966: Savage RiverSavage River, TasmaniaSavage River is a small Australian mining township located on the West Coast of Tasmania.-History:Government surveyor Charles Sprent discovered Savage River's iron ore deposits in 1877, however the minerals were left untouched for nearly a century due to the difficulty in extracting iron from the...
iron ore agreements involving $62 million signed - 1967 (February): Black Tuesday bushfire1967 Tasmanian firesThe 1967 Tasmanian fires were an Australian natural disaster which occurred on 7 February 1967, an event which became known as the Black Tuesday bushfires...
s claim 62 lives—53 in Hobart area—and destroy more than 1300 homes - 1967: Tasmanian joins other states in approving full constitutional rights for Aborigines
- 1967: Hydro-Electric Commission tables plans in State Parliament to dam Lake PedderLake PedderLake Pedder was once a natural lake, located in the southwest of Tasmania, Australia but the name is now used in an official sense to refer to the much larger artificial impoundment and diversion lake formed when the original lake was expanded by damming in 1972 by the Hydro Electric Commission of...
in South-West - 1967: Daylight saving timeDaylight saving timeDaylight saving time —also summer time in several countries including in British English and European official terminology —is the practice of temporarily advancing clocks during the summertime so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less...
and breathalyser tests introduced - 1968: Full adult franchise introduced for Legislative Council elections
- 1968: Hobart trolley buses cease, replaced by diesel vehicles
- 1968: State abolishes death penalty
- 1968: Savage River iron ore project officially opens
- 1968: Batman BridgeBatman BridgeThe Batman Bridge is a modern bridge spanning the Tamar River in northern Tasmania. The bridge is on the Batman Highway connecting the West Tamar Highway to the East Tamar Highway . The eastern end of the bridge is located at Whirlpool Reach, George Town Council and the western end is located...
across lower Tamar River opens - 1969: Tasmanians vote Labor Party out after 35 years in office, Liberal-Centre Party forms coalition government
- 1969: Worst floods in 40 years hit Launceston
1970–1979
- 1970: Parliament legislates for permanent daylight saving time
- 1970: State marine research laboratories at TaroonaTaroona, TasmaniaTaroona is a major residential suburb approximately 15 minutes drive from the centre of Hobart, Tasmania on the scenic route between Hobart and Kingston...
open - 1970: Electrolytic Zinc Company opens $6 million residue treatment plant
- 1971: First woodchipWoodchippingWoodchipping is the act and industry of chipping wood for pulp, processed wood products, and mulch.-Papermaking:Timber is converted to woodchips and sold, primarily, for pulp production used in paper manufacture...
shipment leaves Tasmanian Pulp and Forest Holdings' mill at TriabunnaTriabunna, TasmaniaTriabunna is the largest township on the east coast of Tasmania, is the civic and municipal heart of the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, and is located 84 kilometres to the northeast of the state capital Hobart. It is a coastal town situated on the Tasman Highway, and is sheltered within Spring Bay... - 1971: APPM Ltd's Wesley Vale paper plant opens
- 1971: First state Aboriginal conference held in Launceston
- 1972: Conservationists lose battle to prevent flooding of Lake PedderLake PedderLake Pedder was once a natural lake, located in the southwest of Tasmania, Australia but the name is now used in an official sense to refer to the much larger artificial impoundment and diversion lake formed when the original lake was expanded by damming in 1972 by the Hydro Electric Commission of...
in South-West for hydro-electric scheme - 1972: Liberal-Centre Party coalition government collapses
- 1972: Tasmanian College of Advanced Education opens in Hobart
- 1972: Ferry Princess of Tasmania makes last Tasmanian voyage
- 1972: Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre opens at Tasmanian Aboriginal Information Centre
- 1973: Coastal freighter Blythe Star sinks with loss of three men, seven survivors spend eight days adrift in lifeboat before coming ashore on Forestier Peninsula
- 1973: Australia's first legal casinoCasinoIn modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
opens at Wrest Point Hotel CasinoWrest Point Hotel CasinoThe Wrest Point Hotel Casino was Australia's first legal casino, opening in the suburb of Sandy Bay in Hobart, Tasmania, on 10 February 1973.-History:... - 1973: Sir Stanley BurburyStanley BurburySir Stanley Charles Burbury, KCMG, KCVO, KBE was an Australian jurist. He was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania, and the first Australian-born person appointed as Governor of Tasmania 1973-1982.-Biography:...
, formerly chief justice, becomes first Australian-born governorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Tasmania - 1974: Three die when boiler explosion demolishes laundry at Mt St Canice Convent, Sandy Bay
- 1974: Tasmanian workers under state wages board awards get four weeks annual leave; woman awarded equal pay
- 1974: Hobart suburban rail services cease
- 1975: Freighter MV Lake IllawarraMV Lake IllawarraThe MV Lake Illawarra was a Handysize bulk carrier of 7,274 tons in the service of the Australian National Line shipping company. This ship is known for causing the Tasman Bridge disaster when it collided with pylon 19 of Hobart's giant high concrete arch style Tasman Bridge on the evening of...
crashes into Tasman Bridge, causing 12 deaths and bringing down part of bridge; temporary Bailey bridge put across Derwent - 1975: Police academy completed at Rokeby
- 1975: Hotels allowed to open for Sunday trading
- 1975: Totalizator Agency BoardTotalizator Agency BoardTotalisator Agency Board in Australia and New Zealand, universally shortened to TAB, is the name given to monopoly totalisator organisations. All were originally government owned...
begins operating - 1976: Members of Aboriginal community ritually cremate TruganiniTruganiniTrugernanner , often referred to as Truganini, was a woman widely considered to be the last "full blood" Palawa ....
's remains, scatter ashes in D'Entrecasteaux ChannelD'Entrecasteaux ChannelThe D'Entrecasteaux Channel is a region of water between Bruny Island and the south-east of the mainland of Tasmania. It extends between the estuaries of the Derwent, and the Huon Rivers... - 1976: Tasmanian Wilderness Society formed
- 1976: Freight equalisation scheme subsidises sea cargo to and from state
- 1977: Repaired Tasman Bridge reopens to traffic
- 1977: Royal visit, during which Aboriginal activist Michael MansellMichael MansellMichael Mansell is an Aboriginal lawyer and activist, who has dedicated his life to social, political and legal reform to improve the lives and social standing of Tasmanian Aborigines....
presents the Queen with land rights claim - 1977: Tasmanian Film Corporation launched
- 1978: Australian National Railways takes over Tasmanian rail system; Tasman Limited ceases operations, ending regular passenger train services in state
- 1978: Hydro-Electric Commission proposes power scheme involving GordonGordon RiverThe Gordon River is one of the major rivers of Tasmania, Australia. It rises in the centre of the island at Lake Richmond and flows westward for about 193km where it empties into Macquarie Harbour on the West Coast of Tasmania. Major tributaries include the Serpentine River and the Franklin...
, FranklinFranklin RiverThe Franklin River lies in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park at the mid northern area of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Its source is situated at the western edge of the Central Highlands and it continues west towards the West Coast of Tasmania...
and King rivers - 1979: Tasmanian College of Advanced Education moves to Launceston
- 1979: State's first ombudsmanOmbudsmanAn ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and some internal or external constituency while representing not only but mostly the broad scope of constituent interests...
begins duties - 1979: Hobart gets increased Saturday morning shopping
- 1979: Government expands South-West conservation area to more than one-fifth of state's total area
1980–1989
- 1980: Australian Antarctic DivisionAustralian Antarctic DivisionThe Australian Antarctic Division is an agency of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities . The division undertakes science programs and research projects to contribute to an understanding of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean...
headquarters completed at KingstonKingston, TasmaniaKingston is a township and region on the outskirts of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Nestled 15 km south of the city between and around several hills, Kingston is the council seat of its wider municipality, the Kingborough Council, and today serves as the gateway between Hobart and the... - 1980: Labor MHA Gillian James becomes first woman to become State Government minister
- 1980: Australian Maritime CollegeAustralian Maritime CollegeThe Australian Maritime College is a tertiary education institution based in Launceston, Tasmania and is an institute of the University of Tasmania. AMC is Australia's national centre for maritime education, training and research...
opens at Beauty PointBeauty Point, TasmaniaBeauty Point is a town by the Tamar River, in the north-east of Tasmania, Australia. It lies 45km north of Launceston, on the West Tamar Highway and at the 2006 census, had a population of 1,116. It is part of the Municipality of West Tamar Council.... - 1980: Australian Heritage Commission includes Tasmania on National Estate register
- 1981: Plebiscite on preferred new hydro-electric power development scheme shows 47% of voters favour Gordon-below-FranklinFranklin DamThe Franklin Dam or Gordon-below-Franklin Dam project was a proposed dam on the Gordon River in Tasmania, Australia, that was never constructed. The movement that eventually led to the project's cancellation became one of most significant environmental campaigns in Australian history.The dam was...
development, 8% prefer Gordon-above-Olga, with 45% casting informal votes, including 'no dams' write-ins. - 1981: DevonportDevonport, Tasmania-Sport:The Devonport Football Club is an Australian Rules team competing in the Tasmanian Statewide League. The Devonport Rugby Club is a Rugby Union team competing in the Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League...
proclaimed city - 1981: Bushfires destroy 40 ZeehanZeehan, TasmaniaZeehan is a town on the west coast of Tasmania, Australia. It lies southwest of Burnie. At the 2006 census, Zeehan had a population of 845. It is part of the Municipality of West Coast....
homes - 1982: Proclamation of Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage AreaTasmanian WildernessThe Tasmanian Wilderness is a term that is used for a range of areas in Tasmania, Australia.The World Heritage Areas in South West, Western and Central are the most well known. However, there are also other areas in Tasmania that have the elements of being known as wilderness areas, the Tarkine...
, including South-West, Franklin-Lower Gordon Wild Rivers and Cradle Mountain-Lake St ClairCradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National ParkCradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is located in the Central Highlands area of Tasmania , 165 km northwest of Hobart. The park contains many walking trails, and is where hikes along the well-known Overland Track usually begins...
national parks; conservationists blockade Gordon-below-Franklin hydro-electric dam work - 1982: Tasmanians elect Liberals as government in their own right for first time in state's history
- 1983: Federal regulations block Franklin DamFranklin DamThe Franklin Dam or Gordon-below-Franklin Dam project was a proposed dam on the Gordon River in Tasmania, Australia, that was never constructed. The movement that eventually led to the project's cancellation became one of most significant environmental campaigns in Australian history.The dam was...
construction; High Court rules in favour of federal sovereignty, ending the proposed Gordon-below-Franklin scheme - 1983: Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council established
- 1983: Visit by The PrinceCharles, Prince of WalesPrince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
and Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century... - 1984: Official opening of Bowen BridgeBowen BridgeThe Bowen Bridge is a four-lane road bridge crossing the Derwent River in Tasmania, Australia. The Bridge lies on the river approximately half way between the Tasman Bridge and the Bridgewater Bridge. The Bridge links the East Derwent Highway with the Brooker Highway at Glenorchy some 10...
- 1984: Official opening of Wrest Point Convention Centre
- 1984: Fire damages Theatre Royal
- 1984: Atlantic salmonAtlantic salmonThe Atlantic salmon is a species of fish in the family Salmonidae, which is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and in rivers that flow into the north Atlantic and the north Pacific....
eggs introduced to Tasmania - 1985: Four-day cremation ceremony at Oyster Cove, south of Hobart, for Aboriginal remains recovered from museums
- 1985: CSIRO Marine Laboratories open in Hobart
- 1985: Last voyage by ferry Empress of Australia before replacement by Abel TasmanAbel Tasman (ship)M/S Abel Tasman was a passenger/vehicle ferry built at shipyard Nobiskrug in Rendsburg, Germany in 1975.- History :The M/S Abel Tasman was the first ferry of the TT-line - a passenger/vehicle ferry that was built at Nobiskrug in Rendsburg for the TT-line as the Nils Holgersson for the...
- 1985: Last Tasmanian drive-in theatres close in Hobart and Launceston
- 1985: Municipal rationalisation advances with Launceston taking over St Leonards and Lilydale
- 1986: Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul IIBlessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
holds massMass (liturgy)"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
for 32,000 people at Elwick racecourse during Hobart visit - 1986: Archaeologists discover Aboriginal rock paintings in South-West believed to be 20,000 years old
- 1987: Launching of Lady Nelson replica ship
- 1987: High Court decision bans logging in Lemonthyme, southern forests
- 1987: Antarctic supply ship Nella DanNella DanMV Nella Dan was one of the famous 'Dan' ships of the Danish J. Lauritzen A/S Lines that were almost synonymous with ANARE shipping through the early years of Australia's official Antarctic program...
sinks off Macquarie IslandMacquarie IslandMacquarie Island lies in the southwest corner of the Pacific Ocean, about half-way between New Zealand and Antarctica, at 54°30S, 158°57E. Politically, it has formed part of the Australian state of Tasmania since 1900 and became a Tasmanian State Reserve in 1978. In 1997 it became a world heritage... - 1988: International fleet of about 200 sailing, cruise and naval ships from about 20 countries calls at Hobart as part of Australian BicentennialAustralian BicentenaryThe bicentenary of Australia was celebrated in 1970 on the 200th anniversary of Captain James Cook landing and claiming the land, and again in 1988 to celebrate 200 years of permanent European settlement.-1970:...
celebrations; more than 150 leave on race to Sydney - 1988: Clarence and BurnieBurnie, Tasmania- Sport :Australian rules football is popular in Burnie. The city's team is the Burnie Dockers Football Club in the Tasmanian State League.Rugby union is also played in Burnie. The local club is the Burnie Rugby Union Club. They are the current Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide Division Two Premiers...
proclaimed cities - 1988: Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame opens
- 1989: State election ends with Labor-GreenTasmanian GreensThe Tasmanian Greens are a political party in Australia which developed from numerous environmental campaigns in Tasmania, including the flooding of Lake Pedder and the Franklin Dam campaign...
accord involving five independents; their no-confidence vote in Robin GrayRobin Gray (Australian politician)Robin Trevor Gray is a former Australian politician who was Premier of Tasmania from 1982 to 1989. A Liberal, he was elected Liberal state leader in 1981 and in 1982 defeated the Labor government of Harry Holgate on a policy of "state development," particularly the building of the Franklin Dam, a...
's minority Liberal government gives Labor's Michael FieldMichael Field (Australian politician)Michael Walter Field, AC was Tasmanian Labor leader from 1988 until his retirement in 1996, and was the Premier of Tasmania between 1989 and 1992...
premiership
1990–1999
- 1990: Sea Cat Tasmania, built in Hobart by InCatInternational CatamaransIncat is a manufacturer of large HSC catamarans, based in the Derwent Park suburb of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia founded by Bob Clifford. The company builds large commercial and military vessels that use aluminium construction, wave-piercing and water-jet technology...
, begins summer crossings of Bass Strait - 1990: King Island scheeliteScheeliteScheelite is a calcium tungstate mineral with the chemical formula CaWO4. It is an important ore of tungsten. Well-formed crystals are sought by collectors and are occasionally fashioned into gemstones when suitably free of flaws...
mine closes - 1990: World Rowing Championships held on Lake BarringtonLake Barrington (Tasmania)Lake Barrington is an artificial lake in northern Tasmania, 40 km south of Devonport. It is 20 km long-Creation:It was built on the Forth River in 1969 to provide a head of water for the Devils Gate Power Station...
, near SheffieldSheffield, TasmaniaSheffield is a town situated 23 km inland from Devonport on the north-west coast of Tasmania, Australia's island state. Sheffield has long been the rural hub for the Mount Roland area. The Sheffield area is well known for its high quality butterfat production via dairy farming. The area is... - 1991: Savings Bank of Tasmania and Tasmanian Bank amalgamate as Trust Bank
- 1991: Port Huon paper millPaper millA paper mill is a factory devoted to making paper from vegetable fibres such as wood pulp, old rags and other ingredients using a Fourdrinier machine or other type of paper machine.- History :...
, ElectronaElectronaElectrona is a genus of lanternfish in the family Myctophidae.- Species :* Electrona antarctica * Electrona carlsbergi * Electrona paucirastra Bolin, 1962...
siliconSiliconSilicon is a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. A tetravalent metalloid, it is less reactive than its chemical analog carbon, the nonmetal directly above it in the periodic table, but more reactive than germanium, the metalloid directly below it in the table...
smelter, RenisonRenison BellRenison Bell is an underground tin mine and locality on the West Coast of Tasmania, Australia.-History:In 1890 tin-bearing gossan was found near Argent River by George Renison Bell...
tin mine and DevonportDevonport, Tasmania-Sport:The Devonport Football Club is an Australian Rules team competing in the Tasmanian Statewide League. The Devonport Rugby Club is a Rugby Union team competing in the Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League...
OvaltineOvaltineOvaltine is a brand of milk flavoring product made with malt extract , sugar , cocoa, and whey...
factory close - 1992: Aborigines occupy Risdon Cove in protest over land claims
- 1992: Royal Hobart Hospital nursing schoolNursing schoolA nursing school is a type of educational institution, or part thereof, providing education and training to become a fully qualified nurse. The nature of nursing education and nursing qualifications varies considerably across the world.-United Kingdom:...
closes, ending hospital-based nursing training in Tasmania - 1992: Seven women ordained as Anglican priests at St David's CathedralSt David's CathedralSt David's Cathedral is situated in St David's in the county of Pembrokeshire, on the most westerly point of Wales.-Early history:The monastic community was founded by Saint David, Abbot of Menevia, who died in AD589...
- 1992: State's unemployment rate reaches 12.2% as jobs decline in public and private sectors; rallies of angry workers force temporary closure of House of Assembly
- 1993: Christine MilneChristine MilneChristine Anne Milne is an Australian Senator and deputy leader of the Australian Greens.Christine Milne first came to public attention for her role in opposing the building of the Wesley Vale pulp mill near Bass Strait in North Western Tasmania on the basis of its allegedly harmful environmental...
(Tasmanian GreensTasmanian GreensThe Tasmanian Greens are a political party in Australia which developed from numerous environmental campaigns in Tasmania, including the flooding of Lake Pedder and the Franklin Dam campaign...
) becomes first female leader of a Tasmanian political party - 1993: Spirit of TasmaniaSpirit of Tasmania (first ship)MS Princess Seaways is a cruiseferry operated and owned by the Danish shipping company DFDS Seaways on a route connecting Newcastle, England to IJmuiden in the Netherlands. She was built in 1986 as MS Peter Pan by Schichau Unterweser, Bremerhaven, Germany for TT-Line...
replaces Abel TasmanAbel TasmanAbel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer, explorer, and merchant, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the VOC . His was the first known European expedition to reach the islands of Van Diemen's Land and New Zealand and to sight the Fiji islands...
on Bass Strait ferry service - 1993: Tasmania's unemployment rate reaches 13.4%
- 1993: State Government reduces total of municipalitiesLocal Government Areas of Tasmania- Local Government Areas of Tasmania, Australia :This article also includes lists of towns, suburbs and localities of Tasmania.-Brighton Council:*Hobart suburbs:**Bridgewater - Gagebrook - Old Beach*Brighton*Pontville*Tea Tree-City of Clarence:...
from 46 to 29, number of departments from 17 to 12 - 1994: End to 80 years of dam building as state's last power station, Tribute, opens near TullahTullah, TasmaniaTullah is a town in the northern part of the West Coast Range, on the west coast of Tasmania, about 111 km south of Burnie. The town has a population of roughly 270 people. At the 2006 census, Tullah had a population of 195....
- 1994: HMAS Huon naval base decommissioned
- 1995: All-day Saturday shop trading begins
- 1995: Government announces legislation to transfer 38 km² of culturally significant land to Aboriginal community, including Risdon Cove and Oyster Cove
- 1995: States unemployment rate falls to 9.6% as number of Tasmanians in work sets record
- 1996 (28 April): Gunman Martin BryantMartin BryantMartin Bryant is an Australian who has been convicted of murdering 35 people and injuring 21 others in the Port Arthur massacre, a shooting spree in Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia, in 1996. He is currently serving 35 life sentences plus 1,035 years without parole in the psychiatric wing of...
kills 35 people and injures 20 more in shooting rampage at Port ArthurPort Arthur, TasmaniaPort Arthur is a small town and former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, in Tasmania, Australia. Port Arthur is one of Australia's most significant heritage areas and the open air museum is officially Tasmania's top tourist attraction. It is located approximately 60 km south east of...
historic site; Supreme Court sentences him to life imprisonment - 1996: Former federal Liberal minister Peter NixonPeter NixonPeter James Nixon AO is a former Australian politician representing the National Party ....
heads Commonwealth state inquiry into Tasmanian economy - 1997: Tasmania becomes first state to formally apologise to Aboriginal community for past actions connected with the 'stolen generationStolen GenerationThe Stolen Generations were the children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who were removed from their families by the Australian Federal and State government agencies and church missions, under acts of their respective parliaments...
'. - 1997: Hobart Ports Corporation succeeds marine board
- 1997: State Parliament repeals two century-old laws that together made all male homosexual activity criminal
- 1997: Royal Hobart HospitalRoyal Hobart HospitalThe Royal Hobart Hospital is a public hospital located the in Hobart CBD, Tasmania, Australia. The RHH also functions as a teaching hospital in co-operation with University of Tasmania. The hospital's research facilities are known as the RHH Research Foundation.The hospital is run by the Tasmanian...
announces part privatisation - 1997: Official opening of Hobart's Aquatic Centre
- 1997: Nixon report recommendations include single chamber State Parliament with 27 members, government asset sales
- 1997: About 800 gaming machines introduced into 55 Tasmanian hotels, clubs amid predictions of major social problems
- 1998: Federal Government sells Hobart and Launceston airports
- 1998: Subsidiary Kendell Airlines takes over Ansett's Tasmanian services
- 1998: Parliament reduced from 54 members to 40—25 Members of the House of AssemblyTasmanian House of AssemblyThe House of Assembly, or Lower House, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Tasmania in Australia. The other is the Legislative Council or Upper House...
and 15 Members of the Legislative CouncilTasmanian Legislative CouncilThe Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Tasmania in Australia. The other is the House of Assembly. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Hobart... - 1998: Legislation passed to separate Hydro-Electric Commission into three bodies: Aurora EnergyAurora EnergyThe electricity retail company Aurora Energy was formed by the dis-aggregation of the Hydro Electric Commission in Tasmania, Australia, on 1 July 1998...
, Transend NetworksTransend NetworksThe electrical transmission company Transend Networks Pty Ltd was formed by the disaggregation of the Hydro Electric Commission in Tasmania, Australia, on 1 July 1998...
and Hydro TasmaniaHydro TasmaniaHydro Tasmania, known for most of its history as The HEC, is the government owned enterprise which is the predominant electricity generator in the state of Tasmania, Australia...
. - 1998: Bushfires destroy six houses in Hobart suburbs, burn out 30 km²
- 1998 (December): torms and massive seas claim six lives in Sydney to Hobart Yacht RaceSydney to Hobart Yacht RaceThe Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, starting in Sydney, Australia on Boxing Day and finishing in Hobart. The race distance is approximately...
- 1999: Wild winds and heavy rain caused chaos across Tasmania, one casualty being the Ferris Wheel at the Royal Hobart Regatta which blew over onto the Gee Whizzer ride. 113 km/h winds in Hobart, 158 km/h winds on Mount Wellington.
- 1999: Tasmanian cricketer David BoonDavid BoonDavid Clarence Boon MBE , nicknamed Boony, is a former Australian cricketer whose international playing career spanned the years 1984–1995...
announced his retirement from Sheffield Shield cricket - March 1999: Tasmania is almost booked out for the millennium New Year's EveNew Year's EveNew Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
party—a once-in-1000-year event for Tasmania's key resorts, hotels, motels and restaurants - 1999: Albanian refugeeRefugeeA refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
s from KosovoKosovoKosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
housed at BrightonBrighton, TasmaniaBrighton is a suburb 27km north of Hobart, in Tasmania, Australia. It lies between Pontville and the outer Hobart suburb of Bridgewater on the Midland Highway. At the 2006 census, Brighton had a population of 3,145.-History:...
military camp, renamed Tasmanian Peace Haven - 1999: Legislation passed to give Aboriginal community control of Wybalenna, Flinders IslandFlinders IslandFlinders Island may refer to:In Australia:* Flinders Island , in the Furneaux Group, is the largest and best known* Flinders Island * Flinders Island , in the Investigator Group* Flinders Island...
- 1999: Colonial State Bank of NSW takes over Trust Bank
- 1999: Official opening of Port Arthur Visitor Centre
- 1999: Queen Alexandra Hospital building leased to private operators
- 1999 (25 October): Labor part stalwart Eric ReeceEric ReeceEric Elliott Reece, AC was Premier of Tasmania on two occasions: from 26 August 1958 to 26 May 1969, and from 3 May 1972 to 31 March 1975.-Biography:...
, hailed as Tasmania's greatest premier, died in Hobart, aged 90 - 1999: Proclamation of Tasmanian Sea Mounts Marine Reserve, Australia's first deep-sea reserve
- 1999: Tasmania voted the best temperate island in the world by the world's largest travel magazine, Conde Nast Traveler
2000 to present
- 2000 (1 January): Tasmania beamed to 43 televisionTelevisionTelevision is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
networks around the world to herald the new millenniumMillenniumA millennium is a period of time equal to one thousand years —from the Latin phrase , thousand, and , year—often but not necessarily related numerically to a particular dating system.... - 2000: Elizabeth II, Queen of AustraliaElizabeth II of the United KingdomElizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
visits Hobart - 2000: Tasmania hosts its first Sorry Day at Risdon Cove
- 2000: Olympic Torch comes to Tasmania
- 2000: New Federation Concert HallHotel Grand Chancellor, HobartThe Hotel Grand Chancellor is a twelve-storey hotel located on the waterfront of Hobart, Tasmania. The hotel opened in 1987 as the Sheraton and has since been taken over by the Grand Hotels International group. The Sheraton opened with 2 restaurants and 2 bars, however only 1 restaurant and 1 bar...
opens in Hobart - 2001 (10 May): Centenary of FederationFederationA federation , also known as a federal state, is a type of sovereign state characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central government...
celebrated - 2001: For the first time in 120 years, Tasmanian Australian rules footballAustralian rules footballAustralian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
clubs take the national stage playing home and away VFLVictorian Football LeagueThe Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
games - 2001: Tasmanian company GunnsGunnsGunns Limited is a major forestry enterprise located in Tasmania, Australia. Founded in 1875 by brothers John and Thomas Gunn, it is one of Australia's oldest companies. It has over 900 square kilometres of plantations, mainly eucalyptus trees. It is Tasmania’s largest private land-owner...
clinches $335 million deal to become one of the giants of the Australian forestryForestryForestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
industry - 2001: Impulse AirlinesImpulse AirlinesImpulse Airlines was an independent airline in Australia which operated regional and low cost trunk services between 1994 and 2001. It was acquired by Qantas in 2001 and later formed the basis of Qantas' low-cost airline Jetstar...
begins, cutting one way Hobart-Melbourne fares to $40, but is subsumed by QantasQantasQantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport... - 2001: 10 Days on the Island10 Days on the IslandTen Days on the Island is Tasmania’s state-wide biennial multi art-form festival. A unique event in Australia, Ten Days is a celebration of culture in Tasmania. With almost 250 events in 99 venues in over 50 locations, 195,000 Tasmanians and visitors took part in the 2009 event.Ten Days was the...
begins. It is Tasmania's biggest cultural festivalFestivalA festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
in a century - 2001: State Government announces $53 million jail to replace the old Risdon Jail
- 2001: New traffic laws introduced, drivers face automatic disqualification if travelling 38 km/h over the limit
- 2001: Meningoccocal hits Tasmania with the first of many deaths
- 2002: House and land boom begins with East Coast blocks selling for almost three times the town's previous record
- 2002 (May): : Tasmania's suburban street speed limit dropped to 50 km/h in a bid to increase road safety
- 2002: Tasmania hit by drought
- 2002 (16 May): Death of Australia's last ANZACAustralian and New Zealand Army CorpsThe Australian and New Zealand Army Corps was a First World War army corps of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force that was formed in Egypt in 1915 and operated during the Battle of Gallipoli. General William Birdwood commanded the corps, which comprised troops from the First Australian Imperial...
, Tasmania's Alec CampbellAlec CampbellAlexander William Campbell was the final surviving Australian participant of the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War. His death broke the last living link of Australians with the Gallipoli story....
, aged 103. - 2002 (3 August): Tasmanian boxer Daniel Geale wins Tasmania's only gold medal at the Commonwealth GamesCommonwealth GamesThe Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
in ManchesterManchesterManchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England. - 2002: Virgin Blue begins operating in Tasmania offering introductory $66 one-way fares to Melbourne
- 2002 (1 September): Tasmania's fast ferries Spirit of TasmaniaSpirit of TasmaniaSpirit of Tasmania may refer to:* The trading name of TT-Line Pty. Ltd.* One of the following ferries that sailed under the name of Spirit of Tasmania during its careers:** ** ** **...
I and II begin operation - 2002 (12 October): Tasmanian Tim Hawkins killed in Bali bombing
- 2002: Deregulated shop trading hours begin
- 2003 (January): People urged by Tasmanian Fire Service to abandon their Australia Day long-weekend plans and prepare their homes for a potential firestorm as a number of fires pose the worst fire threat in 30 years
- 2003: Official opening of the restored QueenstownQueenstown, TasmaniaQueenstown is a town in the West Coast region of the island of Tasmania. It is located in a valley on western slopes of Mount Owen on the West Coast Range.It had a population of 5,119 people . At the 2006 census, Queenstown had a population of 2,117....
to Regatta PointRegatta Point, TasmaniaRegatta Point is the location of a port and rail terminus in West Coast Tasmania, Australia- Port :Regatta Point is often assumed into the name of the locality across the bay in Macquarie Harbour, Strahan, Tasmania...
railway line West Coast Wilderness RailwayWest Coast Wilderness RailwayThe West Coast Wilderness Railway, Tasmania is a reconstruction of the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company railway between Queenstown and Regatta Point...
. - 2003: Attempted hijack of a Qantas flight from Melbourne to Launceston
- 2003: Federal Hotels gets exclusive control of state's gaming machines for 15 years with a further 5-year option
- 2003: Richard ButlerRichard Butler (diplomat)Richard William Butler AC has served as an Australian diplomat, a United Nations weapons inspector and the Governor of Tasmania.-Life and career:...
becomes Tasmania's new governor - 2003: Regina BirdRegina BirdRegina "Reggie" Bird was a contestant and winner of Big Brother 2003 Australia. Small in stature with an unusual nasal intonation, she earned public admiration with her down-to-earth charm, strong work ethic, and naivety...
wins reality-TV show Big Brother, becomes first Tasmanian to do so - 2003: Tasmania passed some of the most progressive relationship laws in the world including same-sex adoptions and registration of 'significant' relationships
- 2003: Engagement of Tasmania's Mary Donaldson to Denmark's Prince Frederik
- 2004 (13 January): Spirit of Tasmania IIISpirit of TasmaniaSpirit of Tasmania may refer to:* The trading name of TT-Line Pty. Ltd.* One of the following ferries that sailed under the name of Spirit of Tasmania during its careers:** ** ** **...
makes its first voyage from Sydney to DevonportDevonport, Tasmania-Sport:The Devonport Football Club is an Australian Rules team competing in the Tasmanian Statewide League. The Devonport Rugby Club is a Rugby Union team competing in the Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League... - 2004: State Government announces legislation to legalise brothelBrothelBrothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
s; leading to a back flip in 2005 when the government chose to ban brothels altogether. - 2004 (14 May): Wedding of Tasmania's Mary Donaldson to Denmark's Prince Frederik in CopenhagenCopenhagenCopenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
. - 2004 (20 May): Premier Jim BaconJim BaconJames Alexander Bacon, AC was Premier of Tasmania from 1998 to 2004.-Early life:Bacon was born in Melbourne; his father Frank, a doctor, died when Jim was twelve, leaving him to be raised by his mother Joan. He was educated at Scotch College and later at Monash University, but he did not graduate....
dies in HobartHobartHobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
of lung cancerLung cancerLung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary... - 2004 (8 August): TasmaniaTasmaniaTasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
n governor Richard ButlerRichard Butler (diplomat)Richard William Butler AC has served as an Australian diplomat, a United Nations weapons inspector and the Governor of Tasmania.-Life and career:...
resigns at the request the premier, who agreed to pay "compensation" of $600,000 in lost salary - 2005 (15 October): Tasmanian Mary Donaldson and Prince Frederik give birth to a male infant Prince ChristianPrince Christian of DenmarkPrince Christian Valdemar Henri John of Denmark, Count of Monpezat , is a member of the Danish Royal Family. He is the elder son of Crown Prince Frederik and his wife, the Australian born Crown Princess Mary. He is a grandson of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and her husband Prince Henrik...
who will be in the line of succession to the Danish throneLine of succession to the Danish ThroneDenmark used a system of male-preference primogeniture until 2009. The male preference cognatic primogeniture was changed in favour of an absolute primogeniture... - 2006 (26 April): Beaconsfield mine collapseBeaconsfield mine collapseThe Beaconsfield Mine collapse occurred on 25 April 2006 in Beaconsfield, Tasmania, Australia. Of the 17 people who were in the mine at the time, 14 escaped immediately following the collapse, one was killed and the remaining two were found alive using a remote-controlled device...
—One miner killed, two trapped underground for a fortnight. - 2006 (27 August): Final crossing of the Spirit of Tasmania IIISpirit of TasmaniaSpirit of Tasmania may refer to:* The trading name of TT-Line Pty. Ltd.* One of the following ferries that sailed under the name of Spirit of Tasmania during its careers:** ** ** **...
from Sydney to DevonportDevonport, Tasmania-Sport:The Devonport Football Club is an Australian Rules team competing in the Tasmanian Statewide League. The Devonport Rugby Club is a Rugby Union team competing in the Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League...