Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware this website contains images, voices and names of people who have died.

Defining Moments

Learn about the events, people and ideas that have shaped and defined Australia.

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Defining moment
Merino sheep. 1797

Merino sheep introduced

Defining moment
Colourful illustration showing men pushing wheelbarrows on a construction site, with ships in the background. 1833

Convict transportation peaks

Defining moment
Hundreds of men encircle flag pole with Eureka flag at the top. 1854

Eureka Stockade

Defining moment
Black-and-white photograph of female labourers standing beside a sugar cane field. Printed at the bottom left hand corner reads 'KANAKA WOMEN WORKING IN SUGAR CANE'. 1863

First indentured Islander labourers

Defining moment
View of a heritage building through arc-shaped gates. 1868

Convict transportation ends

Defining moment
Students at Rainbow State School, Victoria, about 1900 1872

Free education introduced

Defining moment
Coloured illustration featuring a scene of a shoot out between Ned Kelly and police officers in bush land. 1880

Ned Kelly’s last stand

Defining moment
Election day, 25th April 1896, in Adelaide — the first Australian election and referendum in which women could cast a vote. 1894

Women granted the vote in South Australia

Defining moment
Black and white photograph showing a group of women standing formally in front of a partially visible banner bearing the Australian coat of arms. 1902

Women granted the vote in federal elections

Defining moment
Portrait of Edith Cowan. 1921

First woman elected to an Australian parliament

Defining moment
Black and white photograph of five men walking towards the camera dressed in shabby clothes. Most are carrying swags and billy cans. 1932

Height of the Great Depression

Defining moment
Shirtless men with headphones on work in front on radio receivers in a corrugated iron building. 1947

First peacetime signals intelligence organisation

Defining moment
Illustration of a group of people of mixed ethnic backgrounds entering a polling booth. 1962

Indigenous Australians granted the right to vote

Defining moment
Black and white photo of two men beside a sign reading ‘Gurindji mining lease and cattle station’. 1966

Wave Hill Walk-Off

Defining moment
Faith Bandler at celebrations after the 1967 referendum 1967

Indigenous referendum

Defining moment
The Battlers for Kelly’s Bush, 1975. 1971

First green bans