Australia in 1974 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Extensive flooding due to a cyclone

At the end of January 1974, cyclone Wanda lashed Brisbane with torrential rains, causing the Brisabane River to break its banks, flooding the city and low-lying suburbs. More than 7,000 homes had to be evacuated. Fourteen people died, with some being trapped in offices and homes by the rising waters.

Answer: Sister Janet Mead

Sister Janet Mead, an Adelaide nun, had a top ten-hit with a pop arrangement of "The Lord's Prayer" in Australia and in the U.S. in 1974. It was first Australian record to sell a million copies in America.

Answer: Brian Cadd

Brian Cadd sang the theme song. The series premiered on 18th March 1974. Renee Geyer sang the theme song to "The Restless Years". Barry Crocker sang the theme song of "Neighbours", and Lynne Hamilton sang the theme tune "On The Inside" for "Prisoner".

Answer: Advance Australia Fair

In the earlier part of the 1970s, it was decided that Australia needed an anthem that would represent the country with "distinction". A competition was held and as no song of sufficient merit was entered, a poll was held on existing choices. "Advance, Australia Fair" came out way ahead of the others and so became the new national song in April 1974. Ten years later, it replaced "God Save the Queen" as the Australian National Anthem.

Answer: Frank Sinatra

July 1974, saw Frank Sinatra in Australia for a series of concerts. During one concert performance, he had the media up in arms after making derogatory remarks about Australian journalists. As a result, he was effectively black-balled by various unions as tensions mounted. Things though eventually calmed down and he apologised.

Answer: 24 cents

In 1974, a 680 gram loaf of white bread, would set you back a whole 24 cents. A litre of milk cost a whopping 30 cents and a dozen eggs, came in at 84 cents.

Answer: Skyhooks

Skyhooks' debut album "Living In The 70's" when released, quickly smashed all previous sales records and became the biggest selling Australian album to date despite the fact that the Federation of Australian Commercial Broadcasters placed an "A" classification on (i.e. totally banning) six of the ten album tracks!

Answer: Countdown

Countdown began its successful 14-year run, on 8th November 1974. Initially intended to run as eight half hour episodes on a Friday night, the show featured both studio performances and video clips of the hits of the day. Eventually moving to Sunday nights, "Countdown" quickly became a program that could make or break a local or overseas act here, and epitomised the booming popular music scene of the 1970s. Sunday nights were never quite the same after the demise of "Countdown".

Answer: Darwin

On Christmas Eve 1974, the Northern Territory city of Darwin, was devastated by Cyclone Tracy. Between 2am and 5.30am, winds of up to 217 kilometres per hour blasted the city, killing 62 people and injuring over 1,000 others. Over 90% of houses were destroyed, and 25,000 people were left homeless.

Answer: Billy, Don't Be A Hero - Paper Lace

"Billy, Don't Be A Hero" by Paper Lace held the #1 position for eight weeks in 1974. Their other hit in that same year "The Night Chicago Died", proved just as popular.