National Library of Australia

Select chronology of significant Australian press events to 2005

Compiled by Rod Kirkpatrick for the Australian Newspaper History Group

This chronology of significant Australian press events has been divided up into periods of approximately 50 years duration. The links on the right of the page lead to pages with the chronology information. Below is a list of references that were used in the creation of the chronology.

1802 - 1900

Among the useful references for the 19th century dates are: R.B. Walker, The Newspaper Press in New South Wales, 1803-1920. Sydney: Sydney University Press, 1976; Isadore Brodsky, The Sydney Press Gang. Sydney: Old Sydney Free Press, 1974 (see “Significant Chronology”, covering 1788-1974, pp.16-17); Gavin Souter, Company of Heralds, Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 1981 (see “Chronology”, pp. 591-603).

1901-2005

The information for the twentieth century was compiled by Rod Kirkpatrick (with Victor Isaacs contributing at a later stage) for the Australian Newspaper History Group, using various sources, including Gavin Souter’s Company of Heralds, 1981; Paul Chadwick’s Media Mates: Carving up Australia’s Media, 1989, (espec. the “Chronology” from pp.xix-xlvii); Henry Mayer’s The Press in Australia, 1964; and Bridget Griffen-Foley’s books on the Packers, R.B. Walker’s books on the NSW press, Rod Kirkpatrick’s books on the NSW provincial press (Country Conscience) and Queensland provincial press (Sworn to No Master) and his research notes, and a wide range of other sources to a lesser extent.

 

Other years in the chronology:

1802 - 1850

1851 - 1900

1901 - 1950

1921 - 1930

1931 - 1940

1941 - 1950

1951 - 2005

1951 - 1960

1961 - 1970

1971 - 1980

1981 - 2000

2001 - 2005