1983 In Australia
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The following lists events that happened during 1983 in Australia.


Incumbents

*
Monarch A monarch is a head of stateWebster's II New College DictionarMonarch Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 2001. p. 707. Life tenure, for life or until abdication, and therefore the head of state of a monarchy. A monarch may exercise the highest authority ...
–
Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...
*
Governor-General Governor-general (plural ''governors-general''), or governor general (plural ''governors general''), is the title of an office-holder. In the context of governors-general and former British colonies, governors-general are appointed as viceroy t ...
–
Sir Ninian Stephen Sir Ninian Martin Stephen (15 June 1923 – 29 October 2017) was an Australian judge who served as the 20th governor-general of Australia, in office from 1982 to 1989. He was previously a justice of the High Court of Australia from 1972 to 19 ...
*
Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...
– Malcolm Fraser (until 11 March), then
Bob Hawke Robert James Lee Hawke (9 December 1929 – 16 May 2019) was an Australian politician and union organiser who served as the 23rd prime minister of Australia from 1983 to 1991, holding office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (A ...
**
Deputy Prime Minister A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some countries, a government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a vice president, ...
– Doug Anthony (until 11 March), then Lionel Bowen **
Opposition Leader The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically se ...
– Bill Hayden (until 3 February), then
Bob Hawke Robert James Lee Hawke (9 December 1929 – 16 May 2019) was an Australian politician and union organiser who served as the 23rd prime minister of Australia from 1983 to 1991, holding office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (A ...
(until 11 March), then Andrew Peacock * Chief Justice – Sir Harry Gibbs


State and territory leaders

*
Premier of New South Wales The premier of New South Wales is the head of government in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The Government of New South Wales follows the Westminster Parliamentary System, with a Parliament of New South Wales acting as the legislature. ...
–
Neville Wran Neville Kenneth Wran, (11 October 1926 – 20 April 2014) was an Australian politician who was the Premier of New South Wales from 1976 to 1986. He was the national president of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from 1980 to 1986 and chairman of ...
**
Opposition Leader The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically se ...
– John Dowd (until 15 March), then
Nick Greiner Nicholas Frank Hugo Greiner (;) (born 27 April 1947) is an Australian politician who served as the 37th Premier of New South Wales from 1988 to 1992. Greiner was Leader of the New South Wales Division of the Liberal Party from 1983 to 1992 an ...
* Premier of Queensland – Joh Bjelke-Petersen **
Opposition Leader The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically se ...
– Keith Wright * Premier of South Australia –
John Bannon John Charles Bannon (7 May 1943 – 13 December 2015) was an Australian politician and academic. He was the 39th Premier of South Australia, leading the South Australian Branch of the Australian Labor Party from a single term in opposition ba ...
**
Opposition Leader The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically se ...
– John Olsen *
Premier of Tasmania The premier of Tasmania is the head of the executive government in the Australian state of Tasmania. By convention, the leader of the party or political grouping which has majority support in the House of Assembly is invited by the governor of Ta ...
– Robin Gray **
Opposition Leader The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically se ...
–
Ken Wriedt Kenneth Shaw Wriedt (11 July 192718 October 2010) was an Australian politician and leader of the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Labor Party. Wriedt was born in Melbourne, of Danish ancestry. His early life included time spent as a seaman.< ...
* Premier of Victoria –
John Cain Jr. John Cain (26 April 1931 – 23 December 2019) was an Australian politician who was the 41st Premier of Victoria, in office from 1982 to 1990 as leader of the Labor Party. During his time as premier, reforms were introduced such as liberalis ...
**
Opposition Leader The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically se ...
–
Jeff Kennett Jeffrey Gibb Kennett (born 2 March 1948) is a former Australian politician who was the 43rd Premier of Victoria between 1992 and 1999, and currently a media commentator. He was previously the president of the Hawthorn Football Club, serving ...
* Premier of Western Australia – Ray O'Connor (until 25 February), then Brian Burke **
Opposition Leader The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically se ...
– Brian Burke (until 25 February), then Ray O'Connor * Chief Minister of the Northern Territory –
Paul Everingham Paul Anthony Edward Everingham (born 4 February 1943) is a former Australian politician who was the head of government of the Northern Territory of Australia from 1977 to 1984, serving as the second and last Majority Leader (1977–1978) and ...
**
Opposition Leader The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically se ...
– Bob Collins *
Chief Minister of Norfolk Island This article lists the heads of government of Norfolk Island. (Dates in italics indicate ''de facto'' continuation of office, irrespective of continuation of status of that office) See also *History of Norfolk Island *List of administrative ...
– David Buffett


Governors and administrators

*
Governor of New South Wales The governor of New South Wales is the viceregal representative of the Australian monarch, King Charles III, in the state of New South Wales. In an analogous way to the governor-general of Australia at the national level, the governors of the ...
– Sir James Rowland *
Governor of Queensland The governor of Queensland is the representative in the state of Queensland of the monarch of Australia. In an analogous way to the governor-general of Australia at the national level, the governor Governors of the Australian states, performs c ...
– Sir James Ramsay *
Governor of South Australia The governor of South Australia is the representative in South Australia of the Monarch of Australia, currently King Charles III. The governor performs the same constitutional and ceremonial functions at the state level as does the governor-gene ...
– Sir Donald Dunstan * Governor of Tasmania – Sir James Plimsoll *
Governor of Victoria The governor of Victoria is the representative of the monarch, King Charles III, in the Australian state of Victoria. The governor is one of seven viceregal representatives in the country, analogous to the governors of the other states, and the ...
– Sir Brian Murray * Governor of Western Australia – Sir Richard Trowbridge (until 24 November) *
Administrator of Norfolk Island The administrator of Norfolk Island acts as a representative both of The Crown and of the Government of Australia, as well as carrying out other duties according to the ''Norfolk Island Amendment Act 2015''.Administrator of the Northern Territory –
Eric Johnston Eric Allen Johnston (December 21, 1896 – August 22, 1963) was a business owner, president of the United States Chamber of Commerce, a Republican Party activist, president of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), and a U.S. governme ...


Events


January

*4 January – Louise Bell, aged 10-years, disappeared from her bedroom in
Hackham West, South Australia Hackham West is an outer southern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in the City of Onkaparinga. History The suburb has existed for about thirty years. Prior to this, the area was rural with vineyards and farms. On 4 January 1 ...
. Her body has not been located. On 11 November 2016, 68-year-old Dieter Pfennig was found guilty of murdering her. He was already serving a life sentence for murdering a boy in 1989 and the abduction and rape of another boy. *14 January – Federal Opposition Leader Bill Hayden reshuffles the shadow frontbench, while a conspiracy to depose him still looms large.


February

*3 February – Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser is granted a double dissolution of both houses of parliament for a double dissolution election for 5 March. On the same day Bob Hawke replaces Bill Hayden as federal ALP leader. *8 February – A severe dust storm sweeps through
Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
and deposits an estimated 1,000 tonnes of topsoil on the city. *16 February – The
Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and falls on the first day of Lent (the six weeks of penitence before Easter). It is observed by Catholics in the Rom ...
bushfires in Victoria and
South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
claim the lives of 72 people and destroys over 2,000 homes in one of Australia's worst ever fires. *21 February – The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) endorses the prices and income accord drawn up jointly with the
Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party (ALP), also simply known as Labor, is the major centre-left political party in Australia, one of two major parties in Australian politics, along with the centre-right Liberal Party of Australia. The party forms the f ...
. *23 February – Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser's claim that people's savings would be safer under the bed than in the bank exposes him to ridicule, including
Bob Hawke Robert James Lee Hawke (9 December 1929 – 16 May 2019) was an Australian politician and union organiser who served as the 23rd prime minister of Australia from 1983 to 1991, holding office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (A ...
's riposte, "But that's where the Commies are!".


March

*5 March –
1983 Australian federal election The 1983 Australian federal election was held in Australia on 5 March 1983. All 125 seats in the House of Representatives and all 64 seats in the Senate were up for election, following a double dissolution. The incumbent Coalition government whi ...
. The ALP, with
Bob Hawke Robert James Lee Hawke (9 December 1929 – 16 May 2019) was an Australian politician and union organiser who served as the 23rd prime minister of Australia from 1983 to 1991, holding office as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (A ...
as leader wins with one of the biggest parliamentary majorities in Australian political history. *8 March – The Australian dollar is devalued by 10 per cent. *11 March – The Hawke government's new ministry is sworn in, Andrew Peacock becomes Federal Opposition Leader after he wins the Liberal Party leadership.
John Howard John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) is an Australian former politician who served as the 25th prime minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007, holding office as leader of the Liberal Party. His eleven-year tenure as prime minister is the s ...
retains the Deputy Liberal leader position.


April

*11 April **A National Economic Summit is convened in
Canberra Canberra ( ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The ci ...
to formulate future policy. **News of "spy flights" by
Royal Australian Air Force "Through Adversity to the Stars" , colours = , colours_label = , march = , mascot = , anniversaries = RAAF Anniversary Commemoration ...
aircraft over Tasmania under orders from Minister Gareth Evans sparks outrage. *21 April – The National and International Security Committee decides to expel Soviet First Secretary
Valery Ivanov Valery Nikolayevich Ivanov (russian: Валерий Николаевич Иванов) (born 1948) was a Soviet diplomat. As First Secretary of the Soviet Embassy to Australia, he was expelled on 22 April 1983 under suspicion of being a spy after ...
and to blacklist David Coombe, a Canberra lobbyist and former
Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party (ALP), also simply known as Labor, is the major centre-left political party in Australia, one of two major parties in Australian politics, along with the centre-right Liberal Party of Australia. The party forms the f ...
National Secretary, whom Ivanov was thought to have been cultivating. *22 April –
Soviet The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, ...
embassy A diplomatic mission or foreign mission is a group of people from a state or organization present in another state to represent the sending state or organization officially in the receiving or host state. In practice, the phrase usually deno ...
official
Valery Ivanov Valery Nikolayevich Ivanov (russian: Валерий Николаевич Иванов) (born 1948) was a Soviet diplomat. As First Secretary of the Soviet Embassy to Australia, he was expelled on 22 April 1983 under suspicion of being a spy after ...
is expelled from Australia for allegedly trying to recruit spies in the Australian government.


May

*1 May – The Sydney Entertainment Centre is opened. *3 May – All of Queensland is declared a disaster area after a fortnight of almost continuous rain breaks a drought and floods nine river systems. *10 May – Canberra lobbyist and former Federal Secretary of the
Australian Labor Party The Australian Labor Party (ALP), also simply known as Labor, is the major centre-left political party in Australia, one of two major parties in Australian politics, along with the centre-right Liberal Party of Australia. The party forms the f ...
David Combe Harvey David Mathew Combe (26 April 1943 – 21 September 2019) was National Secretary of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), a political consultant and lobbyist, an Australian Trade Commissioner, a Senior Vice-President International of Southcor ...
is declared persona non-grata by the Federal Government because of his association with
Valery Ivanov Valery Nikolayevich Ivanov (russian: Валерий Николаевич Иванов) (born 1948) was a Soviet diplomat. As First Secretary of the Soviet Embassy to Australia, he was expelled on 22 April 1983 under suspicion of being a spy after ...
. *11 May – Sir Laurence Street is called on to head a Royal Commission after New South Wales Premier
Neville Wran Neville Kenneth Wran, (11 October 1926 – 20 April 2014) was an Australian politician who was the Premier of New South Wales from 1976 to 1986. He was the national president of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from 1980 to 1986 and chairman of ...
is alleged by the ABC program ''
Four Corners The Four Corners is a region of the Southwestern United States consisting of the southwestern corner of Colorado, southeastern corner of Utah, northeastern corner of Arizona, and northwestern corner of New Mexico. The Four Corners area ...
'' to have attempted to influence the NSW magistracy. Wran temporarily hands over power to his deputy. *16 May – NSW Premier
Neville Wran Neville Kenneth Wran, (11 October 1926 – 20 April 2014) was an Australian politician who was the Premier of New South Wales from 1976 to 1986. He was the national president of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from 1980 to 1986 and chairman of ...
steps aside in response to allegations raised by
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...
program ''
Four Corners The Four Corners is a region of the Southwestern United States consisting of the southwestern corner of Colorado, southeastern corner of Utah, northeastern corner of Arizona, and northwestern corner of New Mexico. The Four Corners area ...
'' that he attempted to influence the
NSW ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...
Magistry *19 May – The Federal Government's announcement of sweeping changes to the superannuation structure evoke widespread opposition.


June

*14 June – The
Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the principal naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister of ...
patrol boat rescues British solo navigator, Peter Bird, as his boat was wrecked just 33 kilometres from Wreck Bay at the northern extremity of Queensland. Bird had crossed 9,000 kilometres of the Pacific Ocean in 294 days in a 10.6-metre rowing boat.


July

*1 July – High Court blocks construction of the Franklin Dam in
Tasmania ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdi ...
in the ''Tasmanian Dams Case''. *14 July –
Mick Young Michael Jerome Young (9 October 19368 April 1996) was an Australian politician. He rose through the Australian Labor Party (ALP) to become its National Secretary, before serving as a Labor member of the House of Representatives from the 1974 ...
resigns as Special Minister of State after admitting being indiscrete in remarks he made about the expulsion of Soviet First Secretary
Valery Ivanov Valery Nikolayevich Ivanov (russian: Валерий Николаевич Иванов) (born 1948) was a Soviet diplomat. As First Secretary of the Soviet Embassy to Australia, he was expelled on 22 April 1983 under suspicion of being a spy after ...
to lobbyist Eric Walsh and Australian National Opinion Polls' Rod Cameron, both of whom were friends of
Mick Young Michael Jerome Young (9 October 19368 April 1996) was an Australian politician. He rose through the Australian Labor Party (ALP) to become its National Secretary, before serving as a Labor member of the House of Representatives from the 1974 ...
. *18 July – The first death in Australia attributable to
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual ma ...
(AIDS) occurs. *22 July – Dick Smith completes the world's first solo helicopter flight around the globe. *28 July – New South Wales premier Neville Wran exonerated by Street Royal Commission over claims raised by ABC program ''Four Corners'' which claimed that he attempted to influence the NSW magistry.


August

*2 August – Paul Sharp becomes the first European to cross the Simpson Desert alone and on foot. *4 August – Queensland Welfare Minister
Terry White Terrence Anthony "Terry" White (born 3 September 1936) is an Australian pharmacist, businessman, and former politician. White achieved notoriety when, as Queensland state leader of the Liberal Party he terminated the longstanding coalition agr ...
is dismissed from his portfolio for voting with the opposition during a debate on the establishment of a public accounts committee, despite this being a part of both Liberal and Labor policies. *18 August – A road train is deliberately driven into a motel at Ayers Rock, killing five people and injuring a further 20. The driver, Douglas Edwin Crabbe, is subsequently convicted of murder.


September

*4 September – Six men walk underwater in
Sydney Harbour Port Jackson, consisting of the waters of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, North Harbour and the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers, is the ria or natural harbour of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The harbour is an inlet of the Tasman Sea (p ...
as part of an attempt to break a world record. They achieved in 48 hours. *23 September – The
Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), known from 1956 to 1973 as the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission and from 1973 to 1988 as the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission, was a tribunal with powers ...
sets down guidelines for the establishment of a centralised system of wage-fixing utilising full indexation. *26 September –
Australia II ''Australia II'' (KA 6) is an Australian 12-metre-class America's Cup challenge racing yacht that was launched in 1982 and won the 1983 America's Cup for the Royal Perth Yacht Club. Skippered by John Bertrand, she was the first successful ...
wins the
America's Cup The America's Cup, informally known as the Auld Mug, is a trophy awarded in the sport of sailing. It is the oldest international competition still operating in any sport. America's Cup match races are held between two sailing yachts: one f ...
ending the New York Yacht Club's 132-year domination of the race.


November

*30 November –
ASIS ASIS may refer to: * Alam Shah Science School, a high performance-fully residential school in Malaysia * Australian Secret Intelligence Service * Ada Semantic Interface Specification (ISO/IEC 15291) * American Society for Information Science and Te ...
(Australian Secret Intelligence Service) officer bungle a training exercise in the
Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
Sheraton hotel.


December

*9 December – Federal Treasurer Paul Keating announces that the Australian dollar would be allowed to float on the international money market. Under the old flexible peg system, the
Reserve Bank A central bank, reserve bank, or monetary authority is an institution that manages the currency and monetary policy of a country or monetary union, and oversees their commercial banking system. In contrast to a commercial bank, a central ba ...
bought and sold all Australian dollars and cleared the market at the end of the day. *15 December – Legendary Australian band Cold Chisel plays its farewell show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre after more than a decade together.


Arts and literature

* "No award" is made for the
Miles Franklin Award The Miles Franklin Literary Award is an annual literary prize awarded to "a novel which is of the highest literary merit and presents Australian life in any of its phases". The award was set up according to the will of Miles Franklin (1879–195 ...


Film

* BMX Bandits * Buddies * Careful, He Might Hear You * Phar Lap


Television

*30 April – ''
Four Corners The Four Corners is a region of the Southwestern United States consisting of the southwestern corner of Colorado, southeastern corner of Utah, northeastern corner of Arizona, and northwestern corner of New Mexico. The Four Corners area ...
'' program aired exposing allegations that NSW Premier Neville Wran had tried to influence the magistry over the dropping of fraud charges against Kevin Humphreys, charged with misappropriation of funds from the
Balmain Leagues Club Balmain may refer to: Places * Balmain, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia * Electoral district of Balmain, an electoral division in New South Wales, Australia * Balmain East, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia * Balmain Hou ...
. Humphreys is forced to resign his position as
President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) *President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
of the NSWRL, while Wran has to face the Street Royal Commission over the allegations & was later exonerated. *26 September – After Australia's
America's Cup The America's Cup, informally known as the Auld Mug, is a trophy awarded in the sport of sailing. It is the oldest international competition still operating in any sport. America's Cup match races are held between two sailing yachts: one f ...
win, Prime Minister Bob Hawke goes on the '' Today'' show and declared a public holiday for that day, stating that "any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum." *27 November – The last episode of '' The Don Lane Show'' goes to air on GTV-9.


Sport

*26 February – Value of a
rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as just rugby league and sometimes football, footy, rugby or league, is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular field measuring 68 metres (75 yards) wide and 112 ...
try is increased to four points for the start of the 1983 season. A number of other rule changes are also made, including a "hand over" after six tackles instead of a
scrum Scrum may refer to: Sport * Scrum (rugby), a method of restarting play in rugby union and rugby league ** Scrum (rugby union), scrum in rugby union * Scrum, an offensive melee formation in Japanese game Bo-taoshi Media and popular culture * M ...
. *20 March –
Robert de Castella Francois Robert "Rob" de Castella (born 27 February 1957) is an Australian former world champion marathon runner. De Castella is widely known as "Deek" or "Deeks" to the Australian public, and "Tree" to his competitors due to his thick legs an ...
is Australia's best finisher at the eleventh
IAAF World Cross Country Championships World Athletics Cross Country Championships is the most important competition in international cross country running. Formerly held annually and organised by World Athletics (formerly the IAAF), it was inaugurated in 1973, when it replaced the Int ...
, staged in
Gateshead, England Gateshead () is a large town in northern England. It is on the River Tyne's southern bank, opposite Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle to which it is joined by seven bridges. The town contains the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Sage ...
. He finishes in sixth place (37:00.0) in the race over 11,994 metres. *11 May – VFL Board accepts the findings of the
McKinsey Report McKinsey & Company is a global management consulting firm founded in 1926 by University of Chicago professor James O. McKinsey, that offers professional services to corporations, governments, and other organizations. McKinsey is the oldest and ...
in principle, suggesting major changes to league administration including the establishment of an independent commission. *12 June – John Stanley wins the men's national marathon title, clocking 2:17:04 in
Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
, while Megan Sloane claims the women's title in 2:37:50. *18 June –
Fitzroy Fitzroy or FitzRoy may refer to: People As a given name *Several members of the Somerset family (Dukes of Beaufort) have this as a middle-name: **FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan (1788–1855) ** Henry Charles FitzRoy Somerset, 8th Duke of Beau ...
produce an amazing performance against
North Melbourne North Melbourne is an inner-city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, north-west of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Melbourne local government area. North Melbourne recorded a population of 14,953 at the ...
in a top-of-the-table clash at the
Junction Oval Junction Oval (also known as the St Kilda Cricket Ground, or the CitiPower Centre due to sponsorship reasons) is a historic sports ground in the suburb of St Kilda in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The oval's location near the St Kilda Junc ...
, winning by 150 points and kicking the third-highest VFL score to that point. The previous biggest loss by a minor premier was 69 points.
Matt Rendell Matthew Rendell (18 April 1959 – 28 June 2023) was an Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League and South Australian National Football League (SANFL). Rendell played as a ruckman and made his debut with the We ...
, effectively playing as a seventh forward, kicked eight goals after having not kicked one for seventeen games. *9 July –
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
's run of 16 consecutive Rugby League test victories is ended when
New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
upset Australia 19–12 at
Lang Park Lang Park, also known as Brisbane Football Stadium, by the sponsored name Suncorp Stadium, and nicknamed: 'The Cauldron', is a multi-purpose stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, located in the suburb of Milton. The current facility co ...
,
Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...
. *22 July – Fitzroy with 12.6 (78) and St Kilda with 7.1 (43) set a record aggregate score for a quarter in VFL football, beating the previous record of 18.2 (110) in
1975 It was also declared the ''International Women's Year'' by the United Nations and the European Architectural Heritage Year by the Council of Europe. Events January * January 1 - Watergate scandal (United States): John N. Mitchell, H. R. ...
by
Essendon Essendon may refer to: Australia *Electoral district of Essendon *Electoral district of Essendon and Flemington *Essendon, Victoria **Essendon railway station **Essendon Airport *Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League United King ...
and
Carlton Carlton may refer to: People * Carlton (name), a list of those with the given name or surname * Carlton (singer), English soul singer Carlton McCarthy * Carlton, a pen name used by Joseph Caldwell (1773–1835), American educator, Presbyterian ...
. *5 August – First game played under lights since 1952.
Geelong Geelong ( ) (Wathawurrung: ''Djilang''/''Djalang'') is a port city in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria, located at the eastern end of Corio Bay (the smaller western portion of Port Phillip Bay) and the left bank of Barwon River, ...
defeat
Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
at the SCG *24 September –
Hawthorn Hawthorn or Hawthorns may refer to: Plants * '' Crataegus'' (hawthorn), a large genus of shrubs and trees in the family Rosaceae * ''Rhaphiolepis'' (hawthorn), a genus of about 15 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in the family Rosace ...
(20.20.140) defeat
Essendon Essendon may refer to: Australia *Electoral district of Essendon *Electoral district of Essendon and Flemington *Essendon, Victoria **Essendon railway station **Essendon Airport *Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League United King ...
(8.9.57) to win the 87th
VFL The Victorian Football League (VFL) is an Australian rules football league in Australia serving as one of the second-tier regional semi-professional competitions which sit underneath the fully professional Australian Football League (AFL). It ...
premiership *25 September – Parramatta Eels defeat minor premiers Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 18–6 to win the 76th NSWRL premiership. *26 September – Newtown Jets & Western Suburbs Magpies axed from the 1984 NSWRL premiership. It is announced that Newtown will return as Newtown- Campbelltown in 1985. The move never eventuates. *1 November –
Kiwi Kiwi most commonly refers to: * Kiwi (bird), a flightless bird native to New Zealand * Kiwi (nickname), a nickname for New Zealanders * Kiwifruit, an edible berry * Kiwi dollar or New Zealand dollar, a unit of currency Kiwi or KIWI may also refe ...
wins the Melbourne Cup. *5 December – NSWRL reinstate Western Suburbs after Equity Court ruling. Wests end up moving to Campbelltown around the same time. *28 December –
Pat Cash Patrick Hart Cash (born 27 May 1965) is an Australian former professional tennis player. He reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 4 in May 1988 and a career-high ATP doubles ranking of world No. 6 in August 1988. Upon winning ...
clinches a
Davis Cup The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and is contested annually between teams from competing countries in a knock-out format. It is described by the organis ...
tennis win for Australia over Sweden. *
Ross Glendinning Ross William Glendinning (born 17 September 1956) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the East Perth Football Club in the West Australian National Football League (WANFL) and for the North Melbourne Football Club and the West ...
(
North Melbourne North Melbourne is an inner-city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, north-west of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Melbourne local government area. North Melbourne recorded a population of 14,953 at the ...
) wins the
Brownlow Medal The Charles Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal (and informally as "Charlie"), is awarded to the " best and fairest" player in the Australian Football League (AFL) during the home-and-away season, as determined by votes cast by ...


Births

*3 January – Kelvin Robertson, basketball player *9 January – Scott Brennan, Olympic rower *14 January – Jason Krejza, cricketer *17 January – Rick Kelly, motor racing driver *19 January –
Larry Davidson Larry Davidson (born 19 January 1983) is an Australian former professional basketball player who played 12 seasons in the National Basketball League (NBL). Junior career A scholarship-holder at the Australian Institute of Sport, Davidson led ...
, basketball player *20 January –
Paula Taylor Punlapa Margaret Taylor-Buttery (January 20, 1983), also known as Paula Taylor ( th, พอลล่า เทเลอร์) or Thai name Punlapa Supa-aksorn ( th, พัลลภา ศุภอักษร; ), is a Thai actress, model, and ...
, Thai-born Australian model and actress *21 January –
Monique Adamczak Monique Adamczak (born 21 January 1983) is an Australian professional tennis player. Her favourite surface is grass. She has specialised in doubles and has been coached by Tony Roche, former coach of Roger Federer. Adamczak made her debut as ...
, tennis player *23 January – Sarah Tait, rower (d.
2016 File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...
) *24 January – Craig Horner, actor and musician *26 January –
Ryan Rowland-Smith Ryan Benjamin Rowland-Smith (born 26 January 1983) is an Australian former professional baseball pitcher. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. Rowland-Smith also represented Aust ...
, baseball player *27 January –
Rebecca Judd Rebecca Judd ( née Twigley, born 27 January 1983) is an Australian model, television presenter, speech pathologist and the wife of former Australian Football League player Chris Judd. She has previously been host of Victorian-based travel pr ...
, model and television presenter *30 January – Ella Hooper, singer-songwriter *15 February –
Alan Didak Alan Didak (born 15 February 1983) is a former professional Australian rules footballer of Croatian descent who played for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League. Didak was a fan favourite and legend of the club, known ...
, footballer *22 February – Clint McKay, cricketer *2 February – Lee Holdsworth, motor racing driver *4 February –
Jarrad Waite Jarrad Waite (born 4 February 1983) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Football Club and North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). AFL career Carlton (2003–2014) Born ...
, footballer *6 February – Jamie Whincup, racing driver *28 February –
Martin Iti Martin Iti (born 28 February 1983) is a New Zealand-Australian professional basketball player who last played for the Brisbane Spartans of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL). As a high school senior at Mount Zion Christian Acade ...
, basketball player *15 March –
Ben Hilfenhaus Benjamin William Hilfenhaus (born 15 March 1983) is an Australian former professional cricketer who played for Tasmania in Australian domestic cricket and for the Australia national cricket team. He is right-arm fast-medium bowler known for his ...
, cricketer *17 March –
Penny McNamee Penny McNamee (born 17 March 1983) is an Australian actress. Early and personal life Penny McNamee was born in Sydney to Peter and Helen McNamee. She has three sisters, including actress Jessica McNamee, and a younger brother. Through her sist ...
, actress *22 March – Daniel Harries, figure skater *12 April ** Jelena Dokić, tennis player **
Jonti Richter :''See Jonathan Richter for the Danish footballer.'' Jonathan Richter (born 12 April 1983 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is an Australian footballer who currently plays for Queensland State League side Brisbane Strikers as a midfielder. Playi ...
, soccer player *20 April – Miranda Kerr, model *25 April – Johnathan Thurston, rugby league footballer *29 April - Haydn Jenkins, teacher *3 May – Alex Loughton, basketball player *10 May –
Fiona Hammond Fiona ("Fi") Hammond (born 10 May 1983 in Sydney) is an Australian water polo Water polo is a competitive team sport played in water between two teams of seven players each. The game consists of four quarters in which the teams attempt to ...
, water polo player *11 May –
Holly Valance Holly Rachel Candy (; born 11 May 1983), known professionally as Holly Valance, is an Australian actress and singer. Valance began her acting career on the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', as Felicity Scully (1999–2002, 2005, 2022). Sh ...
, actress and singer *16 May –
Daniel Kerr Daniel Alan Kerr (born 16 May 1983) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL). He played 220 games for the club between 2001 and 2013, as a hard-running inside midfield ...
, footballer *20 May –
Nikki Boyd Nikki Anne Boyd (born 20 May 1983) is an Australian politician. She has been the Australian Labor Party member for Pine Rivers in the Queensland Legislative Assembly since 2015. Early life Prior to entering politics, Boyd was a lead organis ...
, politician *25 May – Michael Caruso, motor racing driver *31 May –
Dustin Wells Dustin Wells (born 31 May 1983) is an Australian Football (soccer), footballer who plays for Belconnen United FC, Belconnen United in the National Premier Leagues. Club career Wells joined National Soccer League side Wollongong Wolves from th ...
, footballer *3 June – Anthony Petrie, basketball player ** Claire Scolyer, Mother and all round legend *8 June –
Mark Worthington Mark Worthington (born 8 June 1983) is an Australian former professional basketball player who played 11 seasons in the National Basketball League (NBL). Early life and career Born in Bunbury, Western Australia, Worthington grew up in the nearb ...
, basketball player *18 June ** Cameron Smith, rugby league footballer **
Billy Slater William Slater (born 18 June 1983), is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. An Australian international and one-time captain of the Queensland State of Origin team, he played his entire ...
, rugby league footballer *7 July –
Renee Chappell Renee Kathleen Chappell (born 7 July 1983) is an Australian former cricketer who played international cricket for Australia women's national cricket team. Chappell played domestic cricket for her home state of Western Australia from the 2000/01 ...
, cricketer *21 July –
Amy Mizzi Amy Mizzi (born 21 July 1983) is an Australian actress. She starred as Kit Hunter in the Australian soap opera ''Home and Away'' in 2003 and early 2004. Mizzi's departure from ''Home and Away'' was announced on 13 February 2004 but she continued ...
, actress *22 July – Sharni Vinson, model, actress and dancer *23 July –
Bec Cartwright Rebecca June Hewitt ( Cartwright; born 23 July 1983) is an Australian actress and singer. From 1998 to 2005, Hewitt played Hayley Smith Lawson on the soap opera ''Home and Away''. As Bec Cartwright, Hewitt released an eponymous pop music albu ...
, actress *4 August ** Nathaniel Buzolic, actor **
Jai Crawford David Jai Crawford (born 4 August 1983) is an Australian former professional road cyclist. He was born in Hobart. Major results ;2007 : 1st Overall Tour of Siam : 2nd Overall Tour de East Java : 5th Overall Tour de Langkawi ;2008 : 2nd Ove ...
, cyclist *11 August – Chris Hemsworth, actor *14 August –
Jacob Holmes Jacob Holmes (born 14 August 1983) is an Australian former professional basketball player who played 14 seasons in the National Basketball League (NBL). Professional career Holmes attended the Australian Institute of Sport from 2000 to 2001. ...
, basketball player *18 August –
Russell Ford Russell David Ford (born 18 August 1983) is an Australian former field hockey player. His first national team appearance was in 2006. As of July 2011, he had 21 goals from 76 appearances with the national team. Personal Ford is from Victoria. ...
, field hockey striker *19 August –
Tammin Sursok Tammin Sursok (born 19 August 1983) is a South African-born Australian actress and singer. She is known for her roles on television as Dani Sutherland on ''Home and Away'', Colleen Carlton on ''The Young and the Restless'', and Jenna Marshall ...
, actress *27 August –
Suzie Fraser Suzannah "Suzie" Fraser (born 27 August 1983 in Brisbane, Queensland) is an Australian water polo player, who joined the women's national team in 2005. She was a member of the side that won the silver medal at the 2007 World Aquatics ...
, water polo player *8 September – Chris Judd, Australian rules footballer *17 October –
Jesse Rosenfeld Jesse Rosenfeld (born 17 October 1983) is an Australian stage, television and film actor, best known for playing Marco Silvani on the soap opera '' Neighbours''. Biography Jesse was born in Melbourne, Australia, but spent much of his childhood ...
, actor *22 October – David Barlow, basketball player *12 November – Kate Bell, actress *4 December –
Jimmy Bartel James Ross Bartel (born 4 December 1983) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). A utility, tall and weighing , Bartel contributed as a midfielder, forward, an ...
, Australian rules footballer *5 December –
Cooper Cronk Cooper Patrick Cronk (born 5 December 1983) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. An n international and Queensland State of Origin representative , he played most of his club career for ...
, rugby league footballer *9 December –
Tommy Greer Tommy Greer (born 29 December 1983) is an Australian former professional basketball player who is currently the CEO of the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the National Basketball League (NBL). Greer played college basketball for Augusta State ...
, basketball player *18 December –
Darren Ng Darren Ng (; born 18 December 1983) is a Chinese-Australian former professional basketball player. Ng was known as one of the better three-point shooters in the National Basketball League (NBL). He decided to sit out the 2012–13 NBL season f ...
, basketball player


Deaths

*
28 January Events Pre-1600 * 98 – On the death of Nerva, Trajan is declared Roman emperor in Cologne, the seat of his government in lower Germany. * 814 – The death of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, brings about the accession of ...
– Frank Forde, 15th
Prime Minister of Australia The prime minister of Australia is the head of government of the Commonwealth of Australia. The prime minister heads the executive branch of the Australian Government, federal government of Australia and is also accountable to Parliament of A ...
(b.
1890 Events January–March * January 1 ** The Kingdom of Italy establishes Eritrea as its colony, in the Horn of Africa. ** In Michigan, the wooden steamer ''Mackinaw'' burns in a fire on the Black River. * January 2 ** The steamship ...
) *
16 April Events Pre-1600 * 1457 BC – Battle of Megido - the first battle to have been recorded in what is accepted as relatively reliable detail. * 69 – Defeated by Vitellius' troops at Bedriacum, Otho commits suicide. * 73 – Masada ...
– Tim McNamara, country musician (b.
1922 Events January * January 7 – Dáil Éireann (Irish Republic), Dáil Éireann, the parliament of the Irish Republic, ratifies the Anglo-Irish Treaty by 64–57 votes. * January 10 – Arthur Griffith is elected President of Dáil Éirean ...
) *
1 May Events Pre-1600 * 305 – Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman emperor. * 880 – The Nea Ekklesia is inaugurated in Constantinople, setting the model for all later cross-in-square Orthodox churches. *1169 – N ...
–
Eric Porter Eric Richard Porter (8 April 192815 May 1995) was an English actor of stage, film and television. Early life Porter was born in Shepherd's Bush, London, to bus conductor Richard John Porter and Phoebe Elizabeth (née Spall). His parents hope ...
, animator and film director (b.
1911 A notable ongoing event was the Comparison of the Amundsen and Scott Expeditions, race for the South Pole. Events January * January 1 – A decade after federation, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory ...
) *
5 August Events Pre-1600 *AD 25 – Guangwu claims the throne as Emperor of China, restoring the Han dynasty after the collapse of the short-lived Xin dynasty. * 70 – Fires resulting from the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem are ...
– Leo Rush, Australian rules footballer (b.
1890 Events January–March * January 1 ** The Kingdom of Italy establishes Eritrea as its colony, in the Horn of Africa. ** In Michigan, the wooden steamer ''Mackinaw'' burns in a fire on the Black River. * January 2 ** The steamship ...
) *
29 August Events Pre-1600 * 708 – Wadōkaichin, Copper coins are minted in Japan for the first time (Traditional Japanese calendar, Japanese date: August 10, 708). * 870 – The city of Melite (ancient city), Melite surrenders to an Aghlabids, ...
–
Decima Norman Clara Decima Hamilton (), MBE (9 September 1909 – 29 August 1983) was an Australian athlete. She was the only Australian woman who won five gold medals at the 1938 British Empire Games. Biography Norman was born on 9 September 1909 in Ta ...
, Olympic athlete (b.
1909 Events January–February * January 4 – Explorer Aeneas Mackintosh of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition escaped death by fleeing across ice floes. * January 7 – Colombia recognizes the independence of Panama. * Januar ...
) *
27 September Events Pre-1600 *1066 – William the Conqueror and his army set sail from the mouth of the Somme river, beginning the Norman conquest of England. *1331 – The Battle of Płowce is fought, between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutoni ...
–
Wilfred Burchett Wilfred Graham Burchett (16 September 1911 – 27 September 1983) was an Australian journalist known for being the first western journalist to report from Hiroshima after the dropping of the atomic bomb, and for his reporting from "the other si ...
, journalist (b.
1911 A notable ongoing event was the Comparison of the Amundsen and Scott Expeditions, race for the South Pole. Events January * January 1 – A decade after federation, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory ...
) *
2 October Events Pre-1600 * 829 – Theophilos succeeds his father Michael II as Byzantine Emperor. * 939 – Battle of Andernach: Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, crushes a rebellion against his rule, by a coalition of Eberhard of Franconia and oth ...
–
Bettina Gorton Bettina Edith Gorton, Lady Gorton (née Brown; 23 June 1915 – 2 October 1983) was an American-born Australian academic who was best known as the first wife of John Gorton, the 19th Prime Minister of Australia. She was born in Portland, Maine, ...
, 18th
Spouse of the Prime Minister of Australia The spouse of the prime minister of Australia, or partner of the prime minister of Australia, is generally a high-profile individual who assists the Prime Minister of Australia, prime minister with ceremonial duties as well as performing variou ...
and academic (born in the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
) (b.
1915 Events Below, the events of World War I have the "WWI" prefix. January * January – British physicist Sir Joseph Larmor publishes his observations on "The Influence of Local Atmospheric Cooling on Astronomical Refraction". *January 1 ...
)


See also

*
1983 in Australian literature This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1983. Events * The judges of the 1983 Miles Franklin Award announced there was no book entered of sufficient merit to receive the award. Maj ...
*
1983 in Australian television Events Television *January – Australian Music's Awards ceremony ''Countdown Awards'' rebrands the name to ''Countdown Music and Video Awards''. As a result, Countdown returns for 1983 with a revamp, and gone were the screaming-louded studio a ...
*
List of Australian films of 1983 1983 See also * 1983 in Australia *1983 in Australian television References External links Australian filmat the Internet Movie Database {{DEFAULTSORT:Australian Films of 1983 1983 The year 1983 saw both the official beginning of ...


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1983 in Australia
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
Years of the 20th century in Australia