Australia · crisis history

Avian influenza outbreak killing southern elephant seal pups, infecting local bird and penguin populations.

The first detection of H5N1 avian influenza virus in a wild seabird in Western Australia.

US and Australian troops land on Papua New Guinea to cut off Japanese retreat.

The Allied forces begin the Gallipoli campaign with landings at Anzac Cove and Cape Helles in the Ottoman Empire.

A rear-end collision of two trains in Melbourne, Australia kills 44 people and injures more than 400.

The wreck of the SS Petriana off Melbourne, Australia causes one of the world's first major oil spills.

A pit explosion kills 100 miners in Wollongong, Australia.

The six British colonies in Australia federate to form the Commonwealth of Australia.

Victoria becomes the first Australian state to grant women the right to vote.

Grants women's suffrage in federal elections for resident British subjects.