1908

Sir Robert Menzies

Posted in 1908

  • James Menzies (standing third from left): "Dignitaries at the opening of the new Show Grounds, Jeparit" 14 OctoberFollows his brother, Frank, to Grenville College, Ballarat, after topping the State in the Victorian State Scholarship Examination at the age of 13. Frank had earlier won a half scholarship to Grenville College.
  • Robert's father, James Menzies pictured at right with members of the Jeparit Agricultural and Pastoral Society.

Australian Events

Posted in 1908

  • Fisher Government, November 13 (see Australian Prime Ministers)
  • Canberra is declared Australia's national capital.
  • New Sydney to Melbourne phone line opens and is criticised for being too expensive - six shillings for three minutes.
  • Women in Victoria gain the right to vote in October, but the proclamation of the Adult Suffrage Act is delayed until after the December elections. Victorian women are not granted the right to stand for election to the Legislative Assembly until 1923.
  • "My Country", the poem about Australia written by Dorothea Mackellar when she was 19 years old, is first published by The Spectator newspaper in London.
  • The US Great White Fleet visits Australia on a worldwide goodwill mission by President Theodore Roosevelt. The fleet consists of sixteen white battleships, six destroyers, and several auxiliary ships.

World Events

Posted in 1908

  • Classic Model T Ford on paradeHenry Ford's Tin Lizzie Model T motor car is the first to be mass produced.
  • In France, the first newsreel is produced.
  • The US Great White Fleet visits Australia on a worldwide goodwill mission by President Theodore Roosevelt. The fleet consists of sixteen white battleships, six destroyers, and several auxiliary ships.