1976 in Australia

The following lists events that happened during 1976 in Australia.

1976 in Australia
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor-General	Sir John Kerr
Prime minister	Malcolm Fraser
Population	13,892,995
Australian of the Year	Weary Dunlop
Elections	VIC, NSW, TAS

← 1975 1974 1973 1976 in Australia → 1977 1978 1979
Decades:	1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s
See also:	1976 in Australian television 1976 in Australian literature Other events of 1976 Timeline of Australian history

Incumbents

Sir John Kerr

Malcolm Fraser

• Monarch – Elizabeth II
• Governor-General – Sir John Kerr
• Prime Minister – Malcolm Fraser
  • Deputy Prime Minister – Doug Anthony
  • Opposition Leader – Gough Whitlam
• Chief Justice – Sir Garfield Barwick

State and territory leaders

• Premier of New South Wales – Tom Lewis (until 23 January), then Sir Eric Willis (until 14 May), then Neville Wran
  • Opposition Leader – Neville Wran (until 14 May), then Sir Eric Willis
• Premier of Queensland – Joh Bjelke-Petersen
  • Opposition Leader – Tom Burns
• Premier of South Australia – Don Dunstan
  • Opposition Leader – David Tonkin
• Premier of Tasmania – Bill Neilson
  • Opposition Leader – Max Bingham
• Premier of Victoria – Rupert Hamer
  • Opposition Leader – Clyde Holding
• Premier of Western Australia – Sir Charles Court
  • Opposition Leader – John Tonkin (until 15 April), then Colin Jamieson
• Majority Leader of the Northern Territory – Goff Letts

Governors and administrators

• Governor of New South Wales – Sir Roden Cutler
• Governor of Queensland – Sir Colin Hannah
• Governor of South Australia – Sir Mark Oliphant (until 30 November), then Sir Douglas Nicholls
• Governor of Tasmania – Sir Stanley Burbury
• Governor of Victoria – Sir Henry Winneke
• Governor of Western Australia – Sir Wallace Kyle
• Administrator of Norfolk Island – Charles Buffett (until 31 May), then Edward Pickerd (until 4 September), then Desmond O'Leary

Events

January

• 1 January –
  • The Australian Journalists Association's Queensland president Quentin Dempster says he intends to complain to state police minister Max Hodges about the conduct of Queensland police officers, alleging that they had coshed, elbowed and thumped journalists covering New Year's Eve on the Gold Coast, despite identifying themselves and showing their police press passes signed by commissioner Ray Whitrod. ^[1] Hodges subsequently apologises on behalf of the Queensland Police Force, which Dempster accepts on behalf of AJA members. ^[2]
  • Kenneth Nash, one of the key figures in the Bogle-Chandler case from 1963, is found shot dead near his home in the Sydney suburb of Chatswood. ^[3]
• 2 January – An Italian family's rental yacht is sliced in two on Sydney Harbour when it collides with 2,539-ton Japanese ship Kaiyo Maru. ^[4] 45-year-old Alitalia pilot George Morelli, his wife, their 16-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter all survive and escape with just minor injuries. ^[4]
• 3 January –
  • New South Wales Police conduct three early morning raids on homes in the Sydney suburbs of Edgecliff, Randwick and Bellevue Hill and seize more than $100,000 worth of heroin. ^[5]
  • A 22-year-old Australian man is killed when he slips and falls while climbing Mount Cook in New Zealand's Southern Alps. ^[6]
  • A 44-year-old inmate at Melbourne's Pentridge Prison is seriously injured when he opens a box, booby-trapped with a bomb. ^[7]
• 5 January –
  • The Family Law Act comes into effect as Elizabeth Evatt is sworn in as first Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia. ^[8]
  • Peko-Wallsend announces that 210 employees of their Mount Morgan Mine in Queensland will be retrenched due to depressed copper prices and dwindling ore reserves. ^{[9] [10]}
• 6 January –
  • A delegation of four United States congressmen led by Senator Ernest Hollings meets with prime minister Malcolm Fraser, foreign minister Andrew Peacock and opposition leader Gough Whitlam. ^{[11] [12]} Discussions include the development of the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean. ^[13]
  • The body of a woman tied to an anchor with a nylon rope is found floating in Sydney Harbour. ^[14] A post-mortem examination reveals she had been shot in the back of the head. ^[15] She is identified as 24-year-old Maria Anne Hisshion who was last seen on 24 December 1975. ^[15] Hisshion is later revealed to have been a suspected drug courier linked to the Mr. Asia drug syndicate. ^{[16] [17]}
• 9 January – The body of missing 48-year-old St Marys woman Coral Elaine Reeves is discovered in bushland at Marsden Park. ^[18] She had been murdered on 4 January by a 48-year-old Bruce John Drawbridge while he was on weekend release from Silverwater Prison, having already been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment after committing a double murder in 1959. ^[19] Drawbridge is sentenced to life imprisonment for Reeves' murder. ^[19]
• 10 January –
  • Three people drown in South Australia when their 14ft dinghy capsizes near the mouth of the Murray River after their vessel's outboard motor fails causing the current to sweep it out into rough seas. ^[20]
  • A large hailstorm hits the Queensland city of Toowoomba causing widespread damage, including to the roofs and windows of more than 100 homes. ^[21] Seven people were treated by ambulance officers and two were taken to hospital with lacerations from flying glass. ^[21]
• 12 January –
  • 8-year-old girl Eloise Worledge disappears from her home in the Melbourne suburb of Beaumaris, with police fearing she has been abducted. ^{[22] [23] [24]}
  • Nobel Prize winning chemist John Cornforth is proclaimed as the Australian of the Year for 1975. ^[25]
  • A 24-year-old coal miner is killed and four others injured during an underground gas explosion at the Nymboida Colliery, south-west of Grafton, New South Wales. ^[26]
• 16 January – A freight train crashes into the rear of a passenger train at Glenbrook, killing an 84-year-old passenger and injuring ten others. ^{[27] [28]}
• 19 January – Tropical Cyclone David crosses the Central Queensland coast just north of St Lawrence, generating huge swells and causing extensive damage on Heron Island and in Yeppoon, particularly to infrastructure at Rosslyn Bay Harbour. ^{[29] [30] [31]}
• 20 January –
  • In an apparant desire from within the party for stronger leadership, a spill motion was suddenly called for the leadership of the governing New South Wales Liberal Party. Sitting premier Tom Lewis opted not to contest the leadership ballot, with Sir Eric Willis elected to the position unopposed, making him the premier of New South Wales. ^{[32] [33]}
  • Four-year-old Peggy Clements is found alive on a remote property near Marble Bar, Western Australia after having been kidnapped from a car in Cobar, New South Wales eleven weeks prior. ^{[34] [35]} After being extradited to New South Wales, Kenneth Charles Stuart is charged and is found guilty by a jury of kidnapping, indecent assault and causing bodily harm. ^[36] Stuart is sentenced to a total of 14 years in jail with a non-parole period of six years. ^[36]
  • Supreme Court judge Gordon Samuels is appointed as chancellor of the University of New South Wales succeeding Sir Robert Webster. ^[37]
• 27 January –
  • Gough Whitlam is comfortably re-elected as the leader of the Australian Labor Party despite being challenged for the leadership by Lionel Bowen and Frank Crean. ^[38]
  • After 21 months in the role, Vince Gair is dismissed as ambassador of Australia to Ireland. ^[39] Gair describes his dismissal as unfair and says had been given no reason for his sacking, and considered he had been a conscientious ambassador. ^[39]
• 31 January – The Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser states that no "soft options" were left to get Australia out of its economic difficulties. ^[40] In a major statement backing his Government's surprise opposition to wage indexations, he said it was a matter of wage increase or jobs. ^[40]

February

• 1 February –
  • Five people are killed when two light planes collide above Parafield Airport, 16 km north of Adelaide. ^[41]
  • Nick Parkinson is announced as ambassador of Australia to the United States. ^[42]
  • James W. Hargrove is confirmed as the new ambassador of the United States to Australia. ^[43]
• 6 February – 34-year-old Patricia O'Shane becomes Australia's first Aboriginal barrister. ^[44]
• 9 February – Victorian Premier Rupert Hamer announces a 20 March date for the 1976 Victorian state election, saying it is the most convenient date because of the Premiers' Conferences due to be held in Canberra in late April and June. ^[45]
• 10 February – Two RAAF helicopters rescue 54 passengers and 22 crew members who had been trapped aboard The Ghan passenger train which had been stranded for four days between the flooded Alberga and Finke Rivers stranded near Oodnadatta in South Australia. ^[46]
• 14 February – The 1976 Orange state by-election is held, which is won by the Country Party's Garry West. ^[47]
• 28 February – Three people, including a fire officer, are taken to hospital after inhaling fumes from an ammonia leak in Harris Street in the Sydney suburb of Broadway. ^[48]
• 29 February – A pilot and his five passengers are killed in a light aircraft crash near Merimbula, New South Wales. ^[49]

March

• 2 March – Cyclone Colin affects the south Queensland coast, forcing the suspension of shipping services into Brisbane and causing winds of up to 93 km an hour. ^[50]
• 3 March – The key man in the Labor campaign fund allegations, French-born businessman Henry Fischer breaks his silence to deny accusations that the Iraqi Government had offered money to the Australian Labor Party for election expenses last December. ^[51]
• 8 March – More than 500,000 people line Swanston Street and St Kilda Road in Melbourne to watch the city's annual Moomba Parade led by the King of Moomba for 1976, Barry Crocker. ^[52]
• 10 March – State member for Clayfield John Murray resigns from the Queensland Parliament. ^[53] Murray's resignation and the death of state member for Port Curtis Martin Hanson in February trigger two by-elections to be held in May 1976. ^[53]
• 18 March – After another day of heavy withdrawals from building societies in Queensland, Federal Treasurer Phillip Lynch reassures investors that there is no reason why events in Queensland – where five building societies have been suspended – should affect other states. ^[54]
• 20 March – The 1976 Victorian state election is held which sees the incumbent Liberal government led by premier Rupert Hamer returned with an increased majority. ^[55]
• 27 March – Municipal elections are held in Queensland where Brisbane lord mayor Bryan Walsh is defeated and is succeeded by Frank Sleeman. On the Gold Coast, 80-year-old Bruce Small defeats incumbent mayor Robert Neumann. ^{[56] [57]}

April

• 25 April – President of the KOTA Party in East Timor Jose Martins alleges that the Balibo Five had been executed in October 1975 despite the Indonesian Government previously claimed that they had been accidentally killed in crossfire. ^{[58] [59]}

May

• 1 May – The 1976 New South Wales state election is held. ^[60] After a close contest, Neville Wran is eventually elected as Premier of New South Wales, defeating Eric Willis. ^{[60] [61] [62]} Willis is re-elected as the Leader of the Liberal Party, and therefore becomes Leader of the Opposition. ^[63]
• 3 May – At a Labour Day rally in Townsville, federal opposition leader Gough Whitlam accuses former defence minister, Liberal senator Shane Paltridge, who died in 1966, of accepting bribes from the Lockheed Corporation. ^[64] Former prime minister Robert Menzies describes Whitlam's allegations against Paltridge as "deplorable" while Leader of the Senate Reg Withers described them as "scurrilous garbage." ^[65]

June

• 1 June –
  • Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser sets out his foreign policy objectives in a statement to the House of Representatives. ^[66] He expresses his concerns about the ambitions of the Soviet Union (evidenced by its intervention in Vietnam and Angola), the strength of Warsaw Pact forces confronting NATO and naval expansion in the Indian Ocean. ^[66] He condemns 'undue world criticism' of the United States and emphasises the importance of Australia's relations with Japan and China, as well as stressing the importance of close relations with the ASEAN countries, especially Indonesia. ^[66]
  • The Federal Government fails in another attempt to persuade Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen that the Australian-Papua New Guinea border in Torres Strait should be moved south. ^[67]
• 5 June – The Fraser Government and PNG Ministers finally decide that the inhabited Torres Strait islands would remain part of Australia, though the seabed boundary would move. ^[68]
• 8 June – Cabinet agrees to a series of changes in the law governing the establishment, operation, management and supervision of building societies, following a run on a number of building societies, the temporary suspension of five and then the collapse of two of them, the Great Australian and City Savings Permanent Building societies, with a joint deficiency of $3.7 million. The Cabinet creates a contingency fund, funded by a compulsory levy on all permanent building societies in Queensland.
• 15 June – Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and his wife arrive Tamie in Japan. ^[69]
• 16 June – Australia and Japan sign the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, confirming the important trade relations between the two nations. ^[70]
• 29 June – New South Wales State Cabinet decides to appoint a three-member board of review to inquire into the future of the Eastern Suburbs Railway. ^[71]

July

• 1 July – Random breath testing of motorists becomes legal in Victoria with police officers permitted to set up breath testing stations on or near any highway. ^[72]
• 12 July – The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) calls a national 24-hour strike over Medibank charges.
• 19 July – Bunbury woodchip bombing: environmental activists set three bombs at the export terminal in Bunbury, Western Australia, in an attempt to disrupt the woodchipping industry. Limited damage results as two of the three bombs fail to explode, while no injuries are reported. ^[73]
• 29 July – In Brisbane, a police inspector hits a girl on the head with a baton during protests by university students through city streets, sparking calls for an inquiry into police powers.

August

• 1 August –
  • The 483-page report of the Royal Commission on Australian Government Administration is released, recommending overturning the centralised system of decision-making in the Commonwealth Public Service and allowing much greater sharing of power between officers and departments. The report is the product of two years of work. ^[74]
  • 29 Australians are evacuated from Peking, China following the 1976 Tangshan earthquake as Chinese authorities warn of the possibility of a new powerful earthquake. ^[75]

August

• 2 August –
  • Defence Minister James Killen rejects allegations made by former Deputy Prime Minister Jim Cairns that Australian soldiers were responsible for the alleged massacre of 27 people in Vietnam in July 1970. ^[76]
  • New South Wales Premier Neville Wran calls for the abolition of the New South Wales bank holiday. ^[77]
• 4 August – New South Wales Premier Neville Wran announces that the State Government will invest $120,000 in the film The Picture Show Man. ^[78] To be produced by Joan Long, the film will be the state's first big investment in film making in many years. ^[78]
• 5 August – New allegations are made on ABC TV's This Day Tonight claiming that Australian servicemen killed unarmed civilians in Vietnam. ^[79]
• 10 August –
  • The New South Wales Government guarantees an extra $15 million for the Sydney Water Board to create 750 more jobs the 1976–77 financial year in an effort to relieve increasing unemployment in the state. ^[80]
  • Max Hodges is removed from the position of Queensland Police Minister due to his unresolved disagreements with the Queensland Police Union. He is replaced by Tom Newberry. ^[81]
• 17 August – The 1976 Australian federal budget is handed down by the Treasurer of Australia Phillip Lynch. ^[82] It predicts a deficit of $2,608 million and an inflation rate of 8–9% by mid-1977. ^[82]

September

• 1 September – Cigarette and tobacco advertising banned on television and radio. ^[83]
• 30 September – Blue Hills , the ABC's long-running radio serial created by Gwen Meredith concludes after being broadcast nationally for 27 years. ^{[84] [85] [86]}

October

• 1 October – Medibank Private is established following legislation passed allowing the Health Insurance Commission (HIC) to enter the private health insurance business. ^[87]
• 16 October – Liberal candidate Tony Bourke wins the Lockyer by-election in Queensland, which was triggered by the retirement of Gordon Chalk. ^[88]
• 26 October – An environmental inquiry makes recommendations to the Federal Government that all sand mining on Fraser Island should stop. ^[89]
• 28 October – Justice Russell Walter Fox delivers his first report resulting from his inquiry into the proposed Ranger Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory. ^[90]

November

• 4 November – A White Paper on defence is tabled in federal parliament by defence minister James Killen. ^[91] This notes that Britain, Australia's traditional protector, is no longer a significant power east of Suez and that Australia's defence must become increasingly self-reliant. ^[91]
• 5 November – In Brisbane, after a trial that lasted 126 days, a jury finds three men not guilty of official corruption charges. ^[92] One was a serving policeman, the second the person who had allegedly been involved in trying to bribe him and the third a policeman who had retired. ^[92] That last man, Jack Reginald Herbert, was later to admit his guilt during the Fitzgerald Inquiry for this and many similar crimes, and implicate Terry Lewis as an active member of "the joke". ^[93]
• 10 November – The Fraser Island Report recommendations are accepted by the Federal Government but resisted by Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen. ^[94]
• 15 November – Ray Whitrod resigns as Queensland Police Commissioner, claiming he could no longer function under such a high level of government interference. ^[95]
• 18 November – Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser announces that Treasury will be split into separate departments of Treasury and Finance. ^[96]
• 28 November – Federal Cabinet agrees to a 17.5% devaluation of the Australian dollar (which brings it almost to parity with the American dollar) and the 'adoption of a flexibly administered exchange rate, along the lines of a "managed float".’ ^[97] Financial institutions would be closely monitored to ensure that lending 'comes back from recent excessive and unsustainable levels', government expenditure would be reviewed once again and the strongest possible arguments for restraint would be put to the December quarter National Wage Case. ^[97]

December

• 4 December – The Royal Australian Navy's fleet of Grumman Tracker aircraft is destroyed by arson at Nowra, New South Wales. ^[98]
• 16 December – The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act is enacted. ^{[99] [100]}
• 17 December – Cabinet agrees to establish an Australian Human Rights Commission to deal with complaints of discrimination on the grounds of race or on other grounds prohibited by future Commonwealth laws. ^[101] The Commission would review existing and future Commonwealth and state laws, and report on their consistency with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Australia was a signatory but not a party. ^[101]

Full date unknown

• Edward (Weary) Dunlop is announced as Australian of the Year
• Gascoigne Leather Furniture is founded in Perth, Western Australia. ^[102]

Arts, music and literature

Main article: 1976 in Australian literature

• 10 January – Sherbet's manager Roger Davies announces the band's guitarist Clive Shakespeare had left the group to pursue his own interests. ^[103]
• 11 January – The Average White Band arrives in Australia to begin a two-week national tour, commencing in Perth. ^[104]
• 18 January –
  • The ABC's rock music station 2JJ celebrates their first anniversary with a family fun day in Sydney's Victoria Park which was attended by approximately 25,000 people. ^[105]
  • Sir Frank Kitto is announced as the inaugural chair of the Australian Press Council. ^[106]
• 21 January – Dame Joan Hammond resigns as artistic director of Victoria State Opera, due to her opposition to "the new idea of policy". ^[107]
• 23 January – John Bloomfield is announced as the winner of the 1975 Archibald Prize for his picture of film director Tim Burstall. ^[108]
• 24 January – The ABC's new radio network ABC-FM begins broadcasting in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide with the station playing mostly classical music. ^{[109] [110]}
• 25 January – The 1976 Country Music Awards of Australia are held in Tamworth where Slim Dusty's Lights on the Hill wins Album of the Year. ^[111] "Santa Never Made It into Darwin" by Bill and Boyd wins Song of the Year. ^[111] Heather McKean and Rex Dallas are awarded female and male artists of the year respectively. ^[111]
• 6 February – British group The Hollies arrive in Sydney to commence their fifth tour of Australia. ^[112]
• 17 February – American singer Neil Diamond arrives in Australia for a series of concerts. ^[113]
• 23 February – American singer Neil Diamond takes exception to the No Smoking signs during his concert at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion and invites the 5,000 concertgoers to light up cigarettes during his concert. ^[114] Speaking in state parliament the next day, NSW Chief Secretary Peter Coleman confirms Diamond had breached safety regulations and said the concert promoters had been dismayed at Diamond's behaviour and that Hordern management was sending Diamond a letter advising him of the breach. ^[114]
• 27 February –
  • It's announced that the 1975 Archibald Prize had been taken away from John Bloomfield, who is deemed to have been ineligible due to his portrait having been painted from a photo rather than still life. ^[115] Kevin Connor is subsequently named as the 1975 Archibald Prize winner for his portrait of Frank Kitto. ^[115]
  • American singer Melanie arrives in Australia prior to a concert at Sydney Town Hall. ^[116]
  • Israeli singer Yafa Yarkoni arrives in Australia for a 10-day concert tour. ^[116] Upon her arrival, she criticises the United States and the Soviet Union for creating political turmoil in the Middle East, saying she believed that Israel and Arab countries could find peace without superpower interference. ^[116]
• 27 April – Xavier Herbert is announced as the winner of the 1975 Miles Franklin Award for his novel Poor Fellow My Country . ^[117]
• 21 January 1977 – Brett Whiteley wins the 1976 Archibald Prize with Self Portrait in the Studio. ^[118]
• 26 April 1977 – David Ireland's novel The Glass Canoe wins the 1976 Miles Franklin Award. ^[119]

Film

• July – The Fourth Wish , Mad Dog Morgan and Caddie premiere. ^[120]
• 10 November – Don's Party premieres at the Queanbeyan Australian Film Festival. ^[121]
• December – Storm Boy premieres in Adelaide. ^[122]

Television

February

• 28 February – Children's series The Lost Islands debuts on the 0-10 Network. ^[123]

March

• 2 March – Beat of the City , ABC TV's eight-part serialisation of the Hesba Brinsmead's book debuts. ^[124]
• 12 March – The Logie Awards of 1976 are held in Melbourne where fictional character Norman Gunstan (played by Garry McDonald) wins the Gold Logie for the Best Male Personality on Australian television, while Denise Drysdale wins the Gold Logie for Best Female Personality on Australian television. ^[125]

June

• 21 June – The first episode of ABC TV's 26-part adaption of Frank Hardy's controversial novel Power Without Glory debuts to positive feedback from ABC viewers. ^{[126] [127]}

July

• 21 July – The Seven Network's new Crawfords-produced police series Bluey starring Lucky Grills debuts. ^[128]

August

• 2 August – Teen program Flashez hosted by Ray Burgess debuts. ^[129]
• 13 August – The ABC postpones the scheduled debut of its new 13-part ABC TV comedy series Alvin Purple , with the program's executive producer Maurice Murphy accusing the ABC's new chairman Sir Henry Bland of censorship. ^[130]
• 20 August – Alvin Purple finally debuts on ABC TV. Despite mixed feedback from ABC viewers, it's a ratings success. ^{[131] [132]}

September

• 2 September – It's revealed ABC chairman Sir Henry Bland had been canvassing the ABC's commissioners regarding a proposal to take Alvin Purple off the air due to a large number of complaints about the show's content. ABC Staff Association president Ian Wynne descibes any move against the show as "unwarranted political interference." ^[133]
• 4 September – ABC chairman Sir Henry Bland issues a statement confirming Alvin Purple would be taken off the air until the next meeting of the Australian Broadcasting Commission on 16 September. ^[134] This decision leads to weeks of public debate and discussion regarding censorship and political interference with ABC content. ^{[135] [136]} One of the ABC's commissioners Marius Webb describes Sir Henry Bland's decision to censor Alvin Purple made it look like he was "a hatchet man" for prime minister Malcolm Fraser. ^[137] Acting general secretary of Actors' Equity Joan Evatt also describes Bland's decision as "outrageous and ludicrous." ^[137]
• 10 September – ABC TV in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory was intentionally blacked out by ABC staff at 9:15pm, when the fourth episode of Alvin Purple would have aired, deliberately refusing to show a substitute program. ^[138] ABC chairman Sir Henry Bland criticises the decision, stating: "I'm extremely disappointed that people who profess to be responsible and to provide a public service should be so utterly irresponsible and idiotic." ^[138]
• 16 September – Sir Henry Bland confirms he and the other ABC commissioners were in unanimous agreement that Alvin Purple should be allowed to return to the air, which averts planned industrial action by ABC staff. ^[139]

October

• 7 October – The inaugural Sammy Awards are held at the Sydney Opera House with Gary McDonald and Helen Morse winning the gold Sammy awards. ^[140]

November

• 8 November – The Young Doctors premieres on the Nine Network. ^[141]
• 15 November – The Sullivans premieres on the Nine Network. ^[142]
• 22 November – The Seven Network launches its new nightly current affairs program Willesee at Seven hosted by Mike Willesee in an attempt to rival the Nine Network's A Current Affair . ^[143]

December

• 23 December – Bruce Gyngell is appointed as the inaugural chairman of the new Australian Broadcasting Tribunal, a regulatory authority overseeing Australian television standards.

Sport

January

• 4 January –
  • Mark Edmondson wins the Men's singles title at the 1976 Australian Open defeating fellow Australian John Newcombe 6–7, 6–3, 7–6, 6–1. ^[144]
  • Evonne Cawley wins the Women's singles title at the 1976 Australian Open, defeating Czechoslovakia's Renáta Tomanová 6–2, 6–2. ^[144]

February

• 5 February – Australia defeats the West Indies 5–1 in the cricket test series. ^[145]
• 8 February – Upon arriving in Sydney for an awards presentation, American athlete Jesse Owens endorses a proposal for Sydney to host the 1988 Summer Olympics but says planning should commence now. ^[146]
• 9 February – Geoff Hunt wins the 1976 Men's World Open Squash Championship in London. ^[147]

March

• 1 March – South Australia secures a Sheffield Shield victory in the 1975-76 Sheffield Shield season, after defeating New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground. ^[148]

July

• 31 July – Victor Anderson wins the men's national marathon title, clocking 2:23:28.6 in Sydney. ^[149]

September

• 18 September – Minor premiers Manly defeats Parramatta 13–10 in the NSWRFL Grand Final at the Sydney Cricket Ground, winning the 1976 NSWRFL season. ^[150] Newtown finish in last position, claiming the wooden spoon.
• 25 September – Hawthorn defeat North Melbourne by 30 points in the 1976 VFL grand final. ^[151]

October

• 3 October – Australia's Bob Morris and Britain's John Fitzpatrick claim victory in the 1976 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales. ^[152]
• 31 October – American Jack Nicklaus wins his fifth Australian Open golf championship defeating fellow American Curtis Strange. ^[153]

November

• 2 November – Van der Hum ridden by Bob Skelton wins the Melbourne Cup. ^[154]

December

• 29 December – Ballyhoo takes line honours and Piccolo wins on handicap in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. ^{[155] [156]}

Births

• 9 January – Amy Gillett (died 2005), cyclist
• 18 January – Damien Leith, singer
• 3 February – Isla Fisher, actress and author
• 13 February – Bree Walters, actress
• 17 February – Matthew Lappin, Australian rules footballer
• 19 February – Travis Denney, badminton player
• 20 February – Johanna Beisteiner, classical guitarist
• 24 February – Bradley McGee, cyclist
• 28 February – David Bradbury, politician
• 25 March – Naomi Young, synchronized swimmer ^[157]
• 16 April – David Lyons, actor
• 28 April – Paul Cleary, middle-distance runner
• 27 May – Bianca Netzler, field hockey player
• 4 June – Kasey Chambers, singer
• 21 June – Nigel Lappin, Australian rules footballer
• 22 July – Liam Renton, radio, TV and podcast personality
• 6 August
  • Adam Ritson, rugby league player
  • Shaun Timmins, rugby league player
• 24 August - Alex O'Loughlin, actor
• 27 August – Mark Webber, Formula 1 driver
• 1 September – Marcos Ambrose, racing driver
• 7 September – Carmel Bakurski, field hockey defender
• 9 September – Mick Blue, adult entertainer
• 15 September – Brett Kimmorley, Rugby league footballer
• 7 November – Mark Philippoussis, tennis player
• 8 November – Brett Lee, cricketer
• 18 November – Matt Welsh, swimmer
• 28 November – Ryan Kwanten, actor and comedian
• 30 November – Gail Miller, water polo player
• 6 December – Paul Crake, racing cyclist
• 31 December – Craig Reucassel, comedian

Deaths

January

• 2 January – George Enticknap, politician (b. 1894) ^[158]
• 26 January – Alfred Jacobs, medical practitioner (b. 1897) ^[159]

February

• 8 February – Gladys Moncrieff, singer (b. 1892) ^[160]
• 20 February – Martin Hanson, politician (b. 1923) ^[161]

March

• 7 March – Richard Dixon, Communist Party official (b. 1905) ^[162]
• 24 March – David Fenbury, public servant (b. 1916) ^[163]

April

• 20 April – Thomas Simpson Crawford, politician (b. 1875) ^[164]
• 26 April – Colin Bednall, journalist and television executive (b. 1913) ^[165]
• 29 April – Leslie Joseph Hooker, real estate entrepreneur (b. 1903) ^[166]

May

• 12 May – Bettie Fisher, musician and theatre manager (b. c. 1939) ^[167]
• 21 May – Harold Blair, singer and activist (b. 1924) ^[168]

June

• 15 June – Edward Holbrook Derrick, pathologist (b. 1898) ^[169]
• 17 June – Richard Casey, Baron Casey, 16th Governor-General of Australia (b. 1890) ^[170]
• 22 June – Jessie Robertson, radio broadcaster (b. 1909) ^[171]
• 27 June – Elsie Hall, pianist (b. 1877) (died in South Africa) ^[172]

August

• 10 August – Bert Oldfield, cricketer (b. 1894) ^[173]

September

• 23 September – Eric Costa, politician (b. 1900) ^[174]
• 28 September – Peter Crimmins, Australian rules footballer (Hawthorn) (b. 1943) ^[175]

October

• 13 October – Ivor Greenwood, Victorian politician (b. 1926) ^[176]
• 21 October – Ida Browne, geologist and palaeontologist (b. 1900) ^[177]
• 23 October – Ian Mudie, poet and author (b. 1911) ^[178]
• 29 October – John Keith McCarthy, public servant (b. 1905) ^[179]

December

• 6 December – Raymond Hanson, composer (b. 1913) ^[180]
• 16 December – Charles P. Mountford, anthropologist (b. 1890) ^[181]
• 23 December – Frank Headlam, air force officer (b. 1914) ^[182]

See also

• 1976 in Australian television
• List of Australian films of 1976

References

1. "Reporters claim police 'coshing'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 January 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
2. "Police apologise to Qld journalists". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 January 1976. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
3. "Bogle-Chandler host shot dead". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 January 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
4. "Ship slices family's yacht in two: 'I thought I was going to die'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 January 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
5. Maddox, Garry (4 January 1976). "$114,000 in drug haul say police: 2 charged". The Sun-Herald. pp. 1, 10. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
6. "Australian climber killed in NZ's alps". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 January 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
7. "Booby-trap bomb maims prisoner". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 January 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
8. Sykes, Jill (6 January 1976). "New divorce law offices besieged by callers: 550 inquiries in the first three hours". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 2. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
9. "Ghost town fears as mine work force is cut". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 January 1976. pp. 1, 15. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
10. Cunningham, James (7 January 1976). "Jobless miners to get at least $780". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
11. "US delegation arrives today". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 January 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
12. "Whitlam waits 2 hours for senators". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 January 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
13. "Australia supports US over Diego Garcia". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 January 1976. p. 4. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
14. "Woman's body found tied to anchor". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 January 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
15. "Body of woman in harbour identified". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 January 1976. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
16. "Dead girl involved in drug trafficking, court told". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 April 1979. p. 2. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
17. Conway, Andrew (7 December 1986). "New inquiry into murder mystery". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 5. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
18. "Police find woman's body after bush hunt". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 January 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
19. "Man jailed for third murder". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 August 1976. p. 4. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
20. "Men, 2 women drown as boat capsizes". The Sun-Herald. 11 January 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
21. "Hailstorm havoc". The Sun-Herald. 11 January 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
22. "Father appeals for help to find daughter, 8". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 January 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
23. Allin, John (7 February 1976). "Eloise: Police seek campervan". The Age. p. 3. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
24. Blackie, Tony (1 October 1976). "Search for Eloise fruitless". The Age. p. 4. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
25. "Scientist given new honour". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 January 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
26. "Miner killed in blast, four hurt". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 January 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
27. "2 feared dead in train collision". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 January 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
28. Cunningham, Terence; Brown, Malcolm; Saxon, Martin (18 January 1976). "'The mountain exploded': Trains crash in the night". The Sun-Herald. pp. 1–3, 24. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
29. "Tropical Cyclone David (12-19 January 1976)". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
30. "Massive seas batter coastline; Homes and roads flooded, beaches eroded". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 January 1976. pp. 1–8. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
31. "Flood threat remains as cyclone ends". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 January 2025. p. 3. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
32. O'Hara, John (21 January 1976). "Willis to be new Premier". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1-2,6. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
33. Harper, Catherine (21 January 1976). "Enter now the politician's politician". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 6. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
34. "Reunion at airport for missing child". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 January 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
35. "How Peggy, golliwog held close, came back home". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 January 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
36. "14 years' jail for man in kidnapping case". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 May 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
37. "Supreme Court judge is new Chancellor". The Sydney Morning Herald. 21 January 1976. p. 4. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
38. Bowers, Peter (28 January 1976). "Whitlam wins - but so do his critics". The Sydney Morning Herald. pp. 1–2, 6. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
39. "Gair gets sack from Irish post". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 January 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
40. Anderson, Chris (1 February 1976). "No soft way out, says Fraser". The Sun-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
41. "Five die in 'piggyback' plane disaster". The Age. 2 February 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
42. "From the Blue Mountains to Washington". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 February 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
43. Hicks, Ian (2 February 1976). "10 minutes and Ford's man is bound for Canberra". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
44. "Woman, 34, is first Aboriginal barrister". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 February 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
45. Hill, Brian (10 February 1976). "We vote on March 20: Hamer goes to polls early". The Age. p. 1. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
46. "RAAF helicopters lift 76 from stranded train". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 February 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
47. "Orchardist, 27, wins Orange by-election for CP". The Sun-Herald. 15 February 1976. p. 5. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
48. Parfitt, Carolyn (29 February 1976). "Three injured as poison gas leaks into street". The Sun-Herald. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
49. "6 die in light plane crash". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 March 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
50. "Qld, NSW residents face another cyclone". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 March 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
51. Frykberg, Ian (4 March 1976). "Fischer supports Whitlam". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
52. "Perfect weather - record crowd - that was Moomba '76". The Age. 9 March 1976. p. 13. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
53. "May poll for 2 Qld MLA seats". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 March 1976. p. 18. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
54. "Run on Qld building societies eases". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 March 1976. pp. 1, 3. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
55. Hill, Brian (22 March 1976). "Libs back - changes ahead: Hamer cabinet will have five new faces". The Age. p. 1. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
56. "Brisbane Council poll cuts ALP majority". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 March 1976. p. 10. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
57. "New mayor". The Age. 8 April 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
58. Richardson, Michael (26 April 1976). "Newsmen 'executed': New claim on deaths of five TV men". The Age. p. 1. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
59. Richardson, Michael; Basile, Vincent (27 April 1976). "'I saw four Australian bodies burned'; Indons set to accept inquiry". The Age. p. 1,6. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
60. Anderson, Chris; O'Hara, John (2 May 1976). "Labor hopes high but... it's close!". The Sun-Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
61. O'Hara, John (3 May 1976). "State kept guessing". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
62. O'Hara, John (11 May 1976). "Labor - it's official!". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
63. O'Hara, John (12 May 1976). "Willis elected unopposed to lead Liberal Party". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
64. "Whitlam says 'corrupt' minister was WA senator: Lockheed bribery alleged". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 May 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
65. "Corruption charges 'deplorable'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 May 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
66. Bowers, Peter (2 June 1976). "PM sees China backing US". The Sydney Morning Herald. pp. 1, 8–9. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
67. Hastings, Peter (4 June 1976). "Being' firm and definite' on Torres Strait". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 6. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
68. "Torres Strait Islands: Foothold for Australia". The Sun-Herald. 6 June 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
69. Bowers, Peter (16 June 1976). "Uranium: PM pledge to Japan likely". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
70. Slee, John (17 June 1976). "Australia, Japan sign historic pact". The Sydney Morning Herald. pp. 1–2, 4, 6, 10. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
71. O'Hara, John (30 June 1976). "Board to consider rail line's future". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
72. "Random tests in Victoria". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 July 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
73. O'Donnell, Kate; Ewart, Jacqui (2017). "Reassessing the Bunbury Bombing: Juxtaposition of Political and Media Narratives" (PDF). Salus. Vol. 5, no. 1. pp. 27–47. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
74. Steketee, Mike (2 August 1976). "Report urges sweeping Public Service reforms". The Sydney Morning Herald. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
75. Preston, Yvonne (2 August 1976). "29 Australians leave Peking". The Sydney Morning Herald. pp. 1, 5. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
76. "Killen denies Viet killings". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 August 1976. pp. 1–2.
77. "Bank holiday should go, says Wran". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 August 1976. p. 9. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
78. O'Hara, John (5 August 1976). "Wran outbids Dunstan to invest $120,000 in film". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
79. "Vietnam killings: new claims". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 August 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
80. O'Hara, John (11 August 1976). "Cabinet acts to provide jobs in NSW". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
81. "Qld reformer is demoted". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 August 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
82. Bowers, Peter (18 August 1976). "A big business budget". The Sydney Morning Herald. pp. 1, 6, 8–12, 24, 27. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
83. Walker, R. R. (1 September 1976). "Anyhow it's the last gasp for fabulously well paid cigarette commercials". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
84. Roberts, Mike (1 October 1976). "Exit Blue Hills in a flurry of suds". The Age. p. 4. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
85. "Blue Hills - end of a radio era". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 October 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
86. Bailey, Deborah (1 October 1976). "The sun sets over 'Blue Hills'". The Canberra Times. p. 7. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
87. McIlraith, Shaun (1 October 1976). "Medi-day dawns, but two months before it's final". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
88. "Liberal victory". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 October 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
89. Steketee, Mike (27 October 1976). "Govt tied to 1978 on Fraser Island export". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 3. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
90. Nisbet, Stephen; Basile, Vincent (29 October 2025). "Uranium: cautious yes". The Age. p. 1. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
91. "Self-help in the wake of detente". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 November 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
92. "Three freed after six month trial". The Sydney Morning Herald. 6 November 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
93. "Jack Herbert names third Queensland minister". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 September 1988. p. 27. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
94. Steketee, Mike (11 November 1976). "December 31 ban on Fraser Island exports". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
95. "Queensland police chief resigns". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 November 1976. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
96. Steketee, Mike (19 November 1976). "Two-section Treasury will have wide power". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
97. "Dollar down 17½ percent". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 November 1976. pp. 1–2, 6. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
98. Hastings, Peter (6 December 1976). "Navy fire wipes out sub-hunter squadrons". The Sydney Morning Herald. pp. 1, 3. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
99. "Parliament sittings end for Christmas". The Canberra Times. 11 December 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 4 October 2025. A total of 124 bills were passed by both Houses of Parliament during the Budget session which ended yesterday... Another signifcant bill was the Aboriginal Land Rights legislation...
100. Gray, Arthur (14 December 1976). "Aboriginal land owners sought". The Canberra Times. p. 9. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
101. Gratton, Michelle (24 December 1976). "Rights body will be set up soon". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
102. "Gascoigne, Kim J". Welcome Walls. Western Australian Museum. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
103. Scott, Phil (11 January 1976). "Rock guitarist quits". The Sun-Herald. p. 3. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
104. "British band delayed". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 January 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
105. "Radio 2JJ has happy end to a rough year". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 January 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
106. "Sir Frank 'an eminent choice'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 January 1976. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
107. "Joan Hammond leaves Victorian Opera". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 January 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
108. Sykes, Jill (24 January 1976). "Big day at the Gallery: Giant paintings in Archibald". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
109. "New ABC FM radio station opens today". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 January 1976. p. 6. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
110. "FM station debut successful". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 January 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
111. "Slim Dusty gets best album award". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 January 1976. p. 16. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
112. "The Hollies begin fifth tour". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 February 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
113. "Glittering welcome for the Diamond". The Sydney Morning Herald. 18 February 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
114. "Neil Diamond not such a glowing success". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 February 1975. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
115. Sykes, Jill (28 February 1976). "Art prize switched". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
116. "Melanie believes in humanity and Yafa feels Arabs, Jews could live together". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 February 1976. p. 5. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
117. "Top award to Xavier Herbert, 74". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 April 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
118. "Mirror image a winner for Whitely". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 January 1977. p. 2. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
119. Sykes, Jill (27 April 1977). "Novelist wins award for second time". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 2. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
120. "Three new Australian films this week". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 July 1976. p. 13. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
121. Macdonald, Dougal (12 November 1976). "'Party' satisfyingly disturbing". The Canberra Times. p. 15. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
122. "How a pelican pays his bill". The Age. 7 December 1976. p. 13. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
123. "At last, a well-heeled kid's show". The Age. 26 February 1976. p. 34. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
124. "TV serial finger on pulse of city youth". The Age. 26 February 1976. p. 34. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
125. Harris, Steve (13 March 1976). "Gunstan scores". The Age. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
126. Plummer, Dale (20 June 1976). "ABC heavyweight shapes up well". The Sun-Herald. p. 86. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
127. "Viewers back ABC serial". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 June 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
128. Plummer, Dale (18 July 1976). "Grills' lucky break in Seven's new cop series". The Sun-Herald. p. 98. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
129. "Prepare for Flashez". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 August 1976. p. 27. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
130. "Alvin Purple's start postponed: ABC new head blamed". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 August 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
131. "Alvin wins 100 to 86 in TV premiere". Alvin wins 100 to 86 in TV premiere. 21 August 1976. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
132. "Alvin gets half the viewers". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 August 1976. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
133. McCarthy, Phillip (2 September 1976). "Purple sparks an ABC blue". The Age. p. 40. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
134. Leslie, Bill (5 September 1976). "Alvin frolics banned". The Sun-Herald. p. 3,28. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
135. "Letters to the editor... the great Alvin Purple debate: The ABC of independence thrown away". The Age. 9 September 1976. p. 8. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
136. Williams, Graham (11 September 1976). "Sir Henry faces commissioners' revolt". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 6. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
137. McIntosh, Philip (7 September 1976). "'Hatchet man' for Fraser: Bland blasted by ABC commissioner". The Age. p. 3. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
138. Sykes, Jill (11 September 1976). "ABC TV blacked out in protest over Alvin". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
139. Williams, Graham (17 September 1976). "Alvin to return to ABC". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
140. "Helen Morse and Norman Gunstan win top awards". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 October 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
141. Lawrence, Mark (4 November 1976). "Young Doctors needs a script transfusion". The Age. p. 36. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
142. Plummer, Dale (14 November 1976). "A fine family tale of Australia in wartime". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 79. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
143. Plummer, Dale (21 November 1975). "All set for battle of the rival Michaels". The Sun-Herald. p. 75. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
144. Humphries, Rod (5 January 1976). "Odd-job man scores upset... and an emotional reunion for Evonne". The Sydney Morning Herald. pp. 1, 13. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
145. Beames, Percy (6 February 1976). "Australia ready to take on world". The Age. p. 24. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
146. "Olympics in Sydney? Then plan now, says Jesse Owens". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 February 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
147. "World squash title to Geoff Hunt". The Age. 11 February 1976. p. 30. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
148. "Ian Chappell and rain stall NSW, so now Greg can eat crow". The Age. 2 March 1976. p. 31. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
149. Christensen, Phillip (1 August 1976). "Champ slept during Games". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 59. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
150. "Eadie kicks Manly past Parramatta". The Sun-Herald. 19 September 1976. p. 66. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
151. "Avenging Hawks too good". The Sun-Herald. 26 September 1976. p. 62. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
152. "Lady Luck's big hand in Hardie Ferodo". The Sydney Morning Herald. 4 October 1976. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
153. Clarkson, Alan (1 November 1976). "Nicklaus runs off with Open". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 19. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
154. Bourke, Tony (3 November 1976). "The horse that nobody wanted". The Age. p. 1. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
155. Sheahan, Mike (30 December 1976). "Rooklyn hits the $1 jackpot". The Age. p. 1. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
156. "Piccolo jolts critics in Sydney-Hobart triumph". The Sydney Morning Herald. 31 December 1976. p. 4. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
157. "Naomi YOUNG - Olympic Synchronized Swimming | Australia". International Olympic Committee. 22 June 2016. Archived from the original on 19 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
158. "Sudden death of former minister". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 January 1976. p. 19. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
159. Wilson, Jan (1996). "Alfred Nailer Jacobs (1897–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
160. White, Sally (9 February 1976). "Queen of Song was a living legend". The Age. p. 2. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
161. "Hanson, Martin (Marty)". Parliament of Queensland. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2025. Death Date: 20 February 1976 (South Brisbane, Queensland)
162. Patmore, Greg (2002). "Richard (Dick) Dixon (1905–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
163. Downs, Ian (1996). "David Maxwell Fenbury (1916–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
164. Tanner, L. G. (1981). "Thomas Simpson Crawford (1875–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
165. Morgan, Patrick (1993). "Colin Blore Bednall (1913–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
166. Spearritt, Peter (1996). "Sir Leslie Joseph Hooker (1903–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
167. Cole, Anna; Lewis, Wendy (1996). "Bettie Fisher (1939–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
168. "Harold Blair: cane-cutter to top tenor". The Age. 22 May 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
169. Doherty, R.L. (1993). "Edward Holbrook Derrick (1898–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
170. "Lord Casey great Australian: Sir John Kerr". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 June 1976. p. 6. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
171. Sturma, Michael (2002). "Jessie Marian Robertson (1909–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
172. Burgis, Peter (1983). "Elsie Maude Stanley Hall (1877–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
173. "End of great innings". The Age. 11 August 1976. p. 29. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
174. "DEATHS: COSTA, Dominique Eric". The Sydney Herald Herald. 24 September 1976. p. 27. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
175. Sheahan, Mike (29 September 2025). "Courageous to the end". The Age. p. 33. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
176. "Senator's funeral". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 October 2025. p. 3. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
177. Vallance, T. G. (1993). "Ida Alison Browne (1900-1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
178. "Ian Mudie praised by writers". The Age. 26 October 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
179. Nelson, H. N. (2000). "John Keith McCarthy (1905–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
180. Tregear, Peter John (1996). "Raymond Charles Hanson (1913–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
181. Jones, Philip (2000). "Charles Pearcy Mountford (1890–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
182. Eaton, Brian (1996). "Frank Headlam (1914–1976)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 10 October 2025.