1856 in Australia

"See also:"
1855 in Australia,
other events of 1856,
1857 in Australia and the
Timeline of Australian history.

Incumbents

Governors

Governors of the Australian colonies:
*Governor of New South Wales - Sir William Denison
*Governor Queensland - office not created until 1859
*Governor of South Australia - Sir Richard MacDonnell
*Governor of Tasmania - Sir Henry Young
*Governor of Victoria - Sir Henry Barkly
*Governor of Western Australia as a Crown Colony - Captain Charles Fitzgerald

Premiers

Premiers of the Australian colonies:
*Premier of New South Wales - Stuart Donaldson from 6 June to 25 August then Charles Cowper to 2 October then Henry Parker
*Premier of Queensland - office not created until 1859
*Premier of South Australia - Boyle Finniss from 24 October
*Premier of Tasmania - William Champ from 1 November
*Premier of Victoria - Dr William Haines
*Premier of Western Australia - office not created until 1890

Events

*February 7 - "Tasmanian Electoral Act" introduced the secret ballot, which was known elsewhere, in particular in the United States as the "Australian ballot"
*March 19 - The "Electoral Act 1856" introduced the secret ballot in Victoria
*April 2 - South Australia introduced the secret ballot
*April 11 - At a public meeting in Melbourne, Dr Thomas Embling repeated the slogan "eight hours labour, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest".
* May 22 - First Parliament of New South Wales opened by the governor, Sir William Denison
* June 24 - Queen Victoria makes Norfolk Island a separate settlement from Tasmania to be administered by the Governor of New South Wales.
* September 23 - The town of Perth, Western Australia is proclaimed a City by letters patent from Queen Victoria.

Exploration and Settlement

*January 1 - The name Tasmania officially adopted to replace Van Diemen's Land which was felt to have too many convict connotations.
*June 8 - Pitcairn Islanders arrived on Norfolk Island; the last convict had left and the island was no longer a penal colony. Queen Victoria granted the Island to the Pitcairners as a home. Bounty Day is celebrated each year in Norfolk Island to commemorate the event.

Births

* March 8 - Tom Roberts, artist (d. 1931)
* August 3 - Alfred Deakin, Prime Minister of Australia (d. 1919)
* September 19 - Arthur Morgan, Premier of Queensland (d. 1916)
* December 3 - George Leake, Premier of Western Australia (d. 1902)

Deaths

*January 1 - Convict William Buckley dies near Hobart, aged 75.

ee also

*1856
*1850s