1910

Sir Robert Menzies

Posted in 1910

  • Wesley College MelbourneTakes up his scholarship at Wesley College in Melbourne:

The young Robert won scholarships and moved to Melbourne where he attended Wesley College. A contemporary, Percy Joske, remembered him as 'a gangling type of boy, growing rapidly, with intense energy and tremendous self-assurance'.
Video script Menzies in his time, 1994

  • Despite his father James' instructions to seek enrolment at Scotch College, Bob wanted to stay with friends from Grenville who were going to Wesley College and went instead for interview there and was accepted:

Father James was not pleased and the disobedient boy found himself on his mettle: 'You may suppose that having had this bad year at Grenville and having been given the rounds of the kitchen by my somewhat peppery parent about it, I knew that when I went to Wesley I had to put my nose down, otherwise all hope of the University was out'.
A W Martin, Robert Menzies: A Life. Vol 1 1894-1943, 1993 p 18.

Australian Events

Posted in 1910

  • The first Commonwealth bank notesFisher Government, April 13. (see Australian Prime Ministers)
  • The Commonwealth of Australia prints its first legal tender in the form of a paper currency. Prior to this, private banks issue banknotes.
  • John Duigan flies the first Australian-built aeroplane at Mia Mia.
  • 50 die and 120 boats sink when a hurricane hits Broome, WA.
  • Model T Fords are imported in packing crates and assembled by the dealersFord announces a successful first year in Australia with the sale of 400 Model T Fords. Cars are imported in packing crates and assembled by the dealers appointed by Ford in all states. Ford will over time employ thousands of workers in Australia.
  • First invalid pensions are paid.

The first motor car on Mt Buffalo, crossing a log bridge

World Events

Posted in 1910

  • Marie CurieHalley's comet appears within 13 million miles of the earth.
  • Japan formally annexes Korea. Russia acknowledges Japan's occupation of Korea in return for a free hand in Manchuria.
  • King Edward VII of England dies and is succeeded by George V.
  • Marie Curie writes Treatise on Radiography.
  • Revolution in Portugal: the Republic of Portugal is recognised by the UK, France, Germany, Russia, Spain, Norway and Belgium.