1975 - Australia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Chemistry

Sir John Cornforth won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1975 for his work on the stereochemistry of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. He was deaf, and his wife contributed to his work and assisted with his communication difficulties.

Answer: 'You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good in Bed'

This radio station was aimed at youth. It was Australia's first non-commercial 24 hour rock music radio station.

Answer: The Loans Affair

Tirath Khemlani was a Pakistani broker who secured funds for the Federal Government to fund infrastructure projects. This was done outside Treasury guidelines. The funds were coming from the Middle East which had plenty of cash after the price of oil increased sharply in 1973.

Answer: All of these

The Federal Government created a national health insurance scheme.

Prior to July 1st, telephone services and postal mail were part of the Postmaster's General Department.

Answer: John Newcombe & Evonne Goolagong Cawley

John Newcombe defeated Jimmy Connors 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6.

Evonne Goolagong Cawley defeated Martina Navratilova 6-3, 6-2.

Answer: Picnic at Hanging Rock

'Picnic at Hanging Rock' was based on a novel by Joan Lindsay. It tells the story of the mysterious disappearance of three schoolgirls and their teacher during a picnic at a geological formation known as Hanging Rock on Valentine's Day in 1900. The reason for their disappearance is unknown, but their disappearance has a profound effect upon everybody in their community.

The movie was directed by Peter Weir and received critical acclaim in the US and UK.

Answer: Papua New Guinea

In 1885, Germany formally annexed the northern coast of new Guinea and Britain took similar action in the south. Australian troops invaded German New Guinea in World War I and later gained control of the territory under a League of Nations mandate. Japan invaded Papua New Guinea in 1942. After being liberated by the Australians in 1945, it became a United Nations trusteeship, administered by Australia. The territories were combined and called the Territory of Papua and New Guinea (PNG).

Australia granted limited home rule in 1951. Autonomy in internal affairs came nine years later, and in September 1975, Papua New Guinea achieved complete independence from Australia when Michael Somare formed the first government.

Answer: East Timor

The Balibo Five were a group of journalists representing Australian television networks who were based in the town of Balibo in East Timor who were killed on 16 October 1975 by Indonesian troops.

At the time, East Timor was a Portuguese colony. In 1974, a military coup occurred in Portugal. The after effects included the Portugal withdrawal from their colonies. This gave Indonesia the opportunity to make military incursions into East Timor leading to a full invasion on 6th December 1975.

In 1999, after a UN sponsored referendum, East Timor gained independence from Indonesia.

Answer: the Governor-General

The Senate would not approve annual supply bills until the Prime Minister called a general election. Sir John Kerr, the Governor General, dismissed the Whitlam Labor Government. Malcolm Fraser, the Liberal Party leader, was asked to be caretaker Prime Minister until a General Election was called.

Answer: Billy Snedden

Billy Snedden became Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament from 1976-1983. he resigned from Parliament after the Hawke Labor Goverment came to power in 1983.