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This Month in Sydney's History

1804

15 April

The game of chuck-farthing (later known as two-up) first referred to in Sydney Gazette.

1811

10 April

Toll bars come into operation on the newly completed turnpike road from Sydney to Parramatta: one in George St, Haymarket, the other at Boundary St, Parramatta.

1831

18 April

The Sydney Herald (later the Sydney Morning Herald) commences publication as a weekly.

Masthead of the first issue of The Sydney Herald. The motto, taken from Alexander Pope, is: “In moderation placing all my glory, While Tories call me Whig – and Whigs a Tory.”

Masthead of the first issue of The Sydney Herald. The motto, taken from Alexander Pope, is:
“In moderation placing all my glory, While Tories call me Whig – and Whigs a Tory.” (City of Sydney Archives)

1855

4 April

Armed ketch Spitfire (65 tons), first warship built in NSW, launched in Sydney.

1882

8-15 April

Agricultural Society of NSW holds its first show at Moore Park.

1907

8 April

Wireless telegraphy first used between ships in Australian waters: German mail steamer Bremen to HMS Encounter in Port Jackson notifying arrival time in Sydney.

1923

28 April

Work begins on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. (Completed 1932.)

The construction of the Harbour Bridge is visible in the background of this picture showing the laying of the 33,000 volt submarine cable for Sydney Municipal Council between Bennelong Point and Kirribilli.

The construction of the Harbour Bridge is visible in the background of this picture showing the laying of the 33,000 volt submarine cable for Sydney Municipal Council between Bennelong Point and Kirribilli. (City of Sydney Archives, SRC 137)

1937

1 April

First Police-Citizens Boys Club opens in Woolloomooloo.

1958

18 April

Australia’s first nuclear reactor, at Lucas Heights, becomes operational.

1971

14 April

Sydney’s Trocadero dance restaurant closes down.

1984

15 April

Family Court in Parramatta extensively damaged by a bomb blast.

1992

3-5 April

After breaking the world freestyle swimming record for the 800 metres on 16 February, Kieren Perkins breaks the world records for the 400 metres on 3 April and the 1500 metres on 5 April.

Kieren Perkins (left) at reception for Olympic Games Team, Sydney Town Hall, 25 August 1992.

Kieren Perkins (left) at reception for Olympic Games Team, Sydney Town Hall, 25 August 1992. (City of Sydney Archives, CRS 904)

Sources

This Month In Sydney's History is drawn from the following source material:

  • News clippings and scrapbooks, City of Sydney Archives.
  • Graeme Aplin, S. G. Foster, Michael McKernan (eds.), Australians: Events and Places, Fairfax, Syme & Weldon Associates, Sydney, 1987.
  • Anthony Barker, What Happened When: A Chronology of Australia From 1788, rev.ed., Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 2000.
  • Bryce Fraser (ed.), The Macquarie Book of Events, Macquarie Library, McMahons Point, 1983.
  • Graham Jahn, Sydney Architecture, The Watermark Press, Sydney, 1997.

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