2008 in Australia

Infobox Australian year
monarch = Elizabeth II
governor-general = Michael Jeffery then Quentin Bryce
pm =Kevin Rudd
population =
australian =
elections = NT, WA, ACT"See also:"
2007 in Australia,
other events of 2008,
2009 in Australia

yearbox
in?= in Australia
cp=20th Century
c=21st century
cf=22nd century

yp1=2005
yp2=2006
yp3=2007
year=2008
ya1=2009
ya2=2010
ya3=2011
dp3=1970s
dp2=1980s
dp1=1990s
d=2000s
da=0
dn1=2010s
dn2=2020s
dn3=2030s

Incumbents

*Monarch – Queen Elizabeth II
*Governor-General – Michael Jeffery (until 5 September), then Quentin Bryce
*Prime Minister – Kevin Rudd

Premiers and Chief Ministers

*Premier of New South Wales – Morris Iemma (until 5 September), then Nathan Rees
*Premier of South Australia – Mike Rann
*Premier of Queensland – Anna Bligh
*Premier of Tasmania – Paul Lennon (until 26 May), then David Bartlett
*Premier of Western Australia – Alan Carpenter (until 23 September), then Colin Barnett
*Premier of Victoria – John Brumby
*Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory – Jon Stanhope
*Chief Minister of the Northern Territory – Paul Henderson
*Chief Minister of Norfolk Island – Andre Nobbs

Governors and Administrators

*Governor of New South Wales – Marie Bashir
*Governor of South Australia – Kevin Scarce
*Governor of Queensland – Quentin Bryce (until July 29), then Penelope Wensley
*Governor of Tasmania – William Cox (until April 2), then Peter Underwood
*Governor of Western Australia – Ken Michael
*Governor of Victoria – David de Kretser
*Administrator of the Northern Territory – Tom Pauling
*Administrator of Norfolk Island – Owen Walsh (acting)

Events

Whole year

*Year of the Scout. [ [http://www.scouts.com.au/main.asp?iStoryID=12600854 2008 - Year of the Scout] , Scouts Australia.]

January

*January 1 onwards – Torrential rain causes widespread flooding and damage to parts of South East Queensland and the North Coast of New South Wales.
*January 11 – An Airbus A319 lands at the new Wilkins Runway in the Australian Antarctic Territory, becoming the first passenger flight from Australia to Antarctica. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/historic-flight-lands-in-antarctica/2008/01/11/1199988538801.html Historic flight lands in Antarctica] , "The Sydney Morning Herald", January 11 2008.]
*January 15 – An Australian Sea Shepherd activist, Benjamin Potts, and his British colleague, Giles Lane, are detained on board the Japanese whaling vessel "Yushin Maru No. 2" after boarding the ship which was inside the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary near Antarctica. [Darby, Andrew: [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/01/15/1200159455319.html Whale activists 'captured'] , "The Age", January 16, 2008.]
*January 15 – Victoria Police officers use capsicum spray to subdue unruly Greek spectators at the 2008 Australian Open, during a match between Konstantinos Economidis and Fernando González. [ [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,323115,00.html Police Use Pepper Spray on Fans at Australian Open After Racial Slur Allegations] , Fox News Channel, 16 January 2008.]
*January 17 – An explosion in a wine processing shed at Drayton's Winery in the New South Wales Hunter Valley kills two men including winery owner Trevor Drayton, and injures one. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/17/2140664.htm Winery owner killed in blast] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, January 17, 2008.]
*January 23 – After 128 years, the final edition of "The Bulletin" is published. Its demise was announced on January 20. [ [http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=371078 ACP Magazines announces closure of The Bulletin magazine] , The Bulletin (via ninemsn), January 24, 2008.]

February

*February 8 – A controversial plan to deepen Melbourne's shipping channels by dredging Port Philip Bay begins. [Shanahan, Leo: [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/paddlers-take-on-dredger/2008/02/08/1202234111677.html Paddling protesters challenge dredger] , "The Age", February 8 2008.]
*February 13 – An apology containing the word "sorry" is made by Kevin Rudd to Indigenous Australians for the stolen generation as the first order of business of the new Parliament. [ cite news
url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/13/2161227.htm
title=Rudd: We say sorry
publisher=ABC
work=ABC News Online
date=2008-02-13
accessdate=2008-02-13]
*February 22 – Parliament descends into chaos with opposition frontbenchers ejected, question time suspended and speakers unable to control the house. A cardboard cut-out of the Prime Minister is bought into the parliament by opposition members angry about sitting time on a Friday. [ cite news
url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/22/2169665.htm
title=Cardboard Rudd sparks uproar in Parliament
publisher=ABC
work=ABC News Online
date=2008-02-22
accessdate=2008-02-22]

March

*March 12 – Adelaide experiences a national record heatwave for an Australian capital city, recording over ten straight days of temperatures over 35 degrees Celsius. [ [http://www.skynews.com.au/news/article.aspx?id=222539 Record heatwave in SA] , "Sky News", 12 March 2008.]
*March 14 – Former New South Wales government minister Milton Orkopoulos is found guilty of 28 charges of child sex offences and the supply of drugs. [Dart, Jonathan: [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/orkopoulos-found-guilty/2008/03/14/1205126170243.html Orkopoulos found guilty] , "The Sydney Morning Herald", 14 March 2008.]
*March 16 – The South Australian heatwave continues with Adelaide experiencing its 14th straight day of temperatures above 35 degrees.
*March 16 – The Finding Sydney Foundation announces it has located the wrecks of the Australian light cruiser HMAS "Sydney" and the German auxiliary cruiser "Kormoran", which both sunk after a battle in 1941. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/hmas-sydney-located/2008/03/17/1205602232577.htmlHMAS Sydney located: report] , "The Age", March 17 2008.]
*March 26 – At the Council of Australian Governments meeting, the Victorian government agrees to take part in a AUD $10 billion rescue plan for the Murray-Darling Basin, after 15 months of negotiations. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/environment/1bn-murray-river-deal-finally-done/2008/03/26/1206207209411.html $1bn Murray breakthrough] , "The Age", March 27 2008.]
*March 27 – The Opes Prime stockbroking firm collapses, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission announces it is conducting an investigation into the firm's activities. [ [http://abc.com.au/news/stories/2008/03/31/2203813.htm Authorities probe Opes Prime collapse] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, March 31 2008.]
*March 28 – Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited closes its Clovelly Park manufacturing facility, ending more than 40 years of manufacturing at the site. [ [http://au.news.yahoo.com/080204/2/15qby.html Mitsubishi to close SA plant in March] , Australian Associated Press (via Yahoo!7), 5 February 2008]
*March 30 – The extension of daylight saving time by a week to standardise time in New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania and South Australia causes a "mini-Y2K problem" as computer systems, mobile phones and even the "speaking clock" incorrectly adjust the time back one hour. [Schneiders, Ben: [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/at-the-third-stroke-it-will-be-one-hour-ago/2008/03/30/1206850707204.html At the third stroke it will be one hour ago] , "The Age", March 31, 2008.]
*March 30 – The gag order applied to David Hicks by the Guantanamo military commission is lifted, allowing him to discuss his detainment at Guantanamo Bay detention camp. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/david-hicks-free-to-talk/2008/03/30/1206815301644.html David Hicks free to talk] , "The Age", March 30 2008.]

April

*April 18 - Australian swimmer Nick D'Arcy has his Beijing ticket terminated following an incident at a nightclub involving former swimmer Simon Cowley.
*April 19 – The Australia 2020 Summit begins in Canberra.
*April 30 – The Victorian government agrees to implement safety measures for Melbourne taxi drivers, after dozens of taxis blockade the intersection of Flinders and Swanston Streets following the stabbing of a driver the previous day. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/30/2231645.htm Melbourne taxi drivers end blockade] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, April 30, 2008.]

May

*May 1 – Five people are killed when a runabout collides with a fishing boat on Sydney Harbour. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/five-killed-as-sydney-harbour-runabout-hits-fishing-boat-photo-peter-rae/2008/05/01/1209234987504.html Five killed in late-night Sydney Harbour boat crash] , "The Sydney Morning Herald", May 1 2008.]
*May 17 – Fugitive gangster Tony Mokbel arrives in Australia following his extradition from Greece. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/17/2247878.htm Mokbel lands in Melbourne] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, May 17, 2008.]
*May 26 – Paul Lennon announces his resignation as Premier of Tasmania. His deputy, David Bartlett, is sworn in as the new Premier later in the day. [Darby, Andrew: [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/tasmanian-premier-lennon-resigns/2008/05/26/1211653882094.html Tasmanian premier Lennon announces resignation] , "The Age", May 26 2008.]
*May 26 – Camden Council in Sydney votes unanimously to reject a proposal to build a 1,200 student Islamic school in the area. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/27/2257402.htm Camden Council opposes Islamic school development] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, May 27, 2008.]

June

*June 1 – Australia ends its combat operations in Iraq, withdrawing approximately 550 troops from the region. [ [http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKL0164801020080601 Australia withdraws troops from Iraq] , Reuters, June 1, 2008.]
*June 3 – A gas explosion at a plant on Varanus Island in Western Australia severely disrupts gas supplies to the state. [ [http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=76927 Gas plant explosion exposes State's vulnerability] , "The West Australian", June 4, 2008.]
*June 8 – It is revealed that New South Wales Education Minister John Della Bosca and his wife, federal Member for Robertson Belinda Neal, were allegedly involved in an altercation at a nightclub in Gosford, New South Wales. [cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/apology-for-della-bosca/2008/06/08/1212863429807.html|title=Club offers apology after NSW MP flags legal action|date=2008-06-08|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=2008-06-19]
*June 28 – A by-election is held in the federal seat of Gippsland following the resignation of the sitting MP, Peter McGauran. Darren Chester wins the by-election, retaining the seat for the National Party.

July

*July 1 – 36 State Senators elected in the 2007 election take their seats in the Australian Senate. For the first time in 31 years, the Australian Democrats have no Senators in the parliament. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/26/2286816.htm?section=australia Rudd thanks 'passionate, colourful' Democrats] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, June 26 2008.]
*July 11 – The Apple iPhone is officially released in Australia. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/iphone-insider/hardcore-apple-fans-get-their-fix/2008/07/12/1215658213674.html Hard-core Apple fans get their fix] , "The Sydney Morning Herald", July 13, 2008.]
*July 13 – Pope Benedict XVI arrives for his first papal visit to Australia, ahead of World Youth Day 2008. [ [http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Pope-arrives-in-Australia-572157246.html Pope arrives in Australia] , ITV, July 13, 2008.]
*July 15 to July 20 – World Youth Day 2008, the Catholic Church's youth festival is held in Sydney.
*July 26 – The Queensland divisions of the Liberal Party and the National Party merge to form the Liberal National Party.
*July 29 – Chris Evans, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, announces that the Australian government will reform the policy regarding mandatory detention of asylum seekers. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/29/2317303.htm Sweeping changes to mandatory detention announced] , "ABC News" (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 29 June 2008.]

August

*August 8 – The Australian Federal Police conduct what is claimed to be the world's biggest ecstasy drugs bust, seizing AUD$440 million worth of the drug. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/worlds-biggest-ecstasy-bust/2008/08/08/1218139079745.html World's biggest ecstasy bust] , "The Sydney Morning Herald", 9 August 2008.]
*August 9 – A general election is held in the Northern Territory with the Australian Labor Party retaining government.

eptember

*September 5 – Quentin Bryce is sworn in as the first female Governor-General of Australia.
*September 5 – Morris Iemma resigns as Premier of New South Wales, and Nathan Rees is sworn in as his replacement.
*September 6 – A general election is held in Western Australia.
*September 6 – By-elections are held in the federal electorates of Mayo and Lyne, following the resignation of MPs Alexander Downer and Mark Vaile respectively. The Liberal Party retains Mayo, but the National Party loses Lyne to an independent candidate, Rob Oakeshott.
*September 14 – The National Party agrees to support the Liberal Party to form a minority government in Western Australia. Premier Alan Carpenter announces he will resign following Labor's defeat in the 2008 WA election – the first defeat of a state Labor government in over thirteen years. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24343802-5006789,00.html Labor's clean sweep broken] , "The Australian", September 14, 2008.]
*September 16 – Malcolm Turnbull becomes Leader of the Opposition when he defeats Brendan Nelson in a ballot for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Australia. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/national/malcolm-turnbull-wins-liberal-leadership-20080916-4hcr.html Malcolm Turnbull wins Liberal leadership] , "The Age", 16 September 2008.]
*September 23 – Colin Barnett is sworn in as Premier of Western Australia.
*September 30 – Professor Ross Garnaut releases his final report in the Garnaut Climate Change Review.

Future and scheduled events

*October 18 – A general election will be held in the Australian Capital Territory.
*Tim Fischer will become Australia's Ambassador to the Holy See.

Arts and literature

*March 7 – Del Kathryn Barton wins the 2008 Archibald Prize for "You are what is most beautiful about me, a self portrait with Kell and Arella", a self-portrait with her children. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/03/07/1204780034685.html Del Kathryn Barton wins Archibald] , "The Sydney Morning Herald", March 7 2008.]
*March 13 – Australian author Sonya Hartnett wins the 2008 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for young adult literature. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/books/australian-author-wins-astrid-lindgren-prize/2008/03/13/1205126059159.html Australian author wins Astrid Lindgren prize] , "The Age", March 13, 2008.]
*May 23 – New South Wales Police seize a number of photographs depicting naked children by artist Bill Henson which were to be exhibited the previous day. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/23/2253293.htm?section=entertainment Police quiz photographer over nude shots] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, May 22, 2008.]
*June 19 – Steven Carroll's novel "The Time We Have Taken" wins the Miles Franklin Award [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/bbooksb-tale-of-70s-melbourne-wins-miles-franklin-award/2008/06/19/1213770827149.html] , "The Age", June 20, 2008]
*September 12 – Stephen Conte's novel "The Zookeeper's War" wins the Prime Minister's Literary Award for Fiction, and "Ochre and Rust: Artefacts and Encounters on Australian Frontiers" by Philip Jones wins the Non-Fiction award. [ [http://www.arts.gov.au/books/pmliteraryawards/2008_winners] , Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts]
*September 19 – First-time novelist Andrew Croome wins the Vogel Literary Award for his manuscript about the Petrov affair, "Document Z". [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/19/2368831.htm?section=entertainment First-time novelist wins Vogel prize] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, September 19, 2008.]

cience and technology

*August 5 – Google Street View images of Australian city streets are added to Google Maps and Google Earth software. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/biztech/global-backlash-as-google-launches-street-view/2008/08/05/1217701932020.html Smile Australia, you're on Google's candid camera] , "The Age", August 5, 2008.]

Film

*February 26 – Melbourne-born film producer Eva Orner wins an Academy Award for Documentary Feature for the film "Taxi to the Dark Side". [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/film/its-an-oscar-for-eva/2008/02/25/1203788246807.html It's an Oscar for Eva] , "The Age", February 26, 2008.]

Television

* January 5 – Fox Sports commentator, Clinton Grybas, dies at 32 as a result of falling whilst sleepwalking.
* January 14 – Nine Network revamps its logo and on-air graphics as a part of a new network re-launch, and after a two-year absence, returns the famous "Nine Balls" logo, except instead of balls, they use discs.
* February 7 – Veteran television presenter Ray Martin quits the Nine Network after 30 years with the network. [cite news|first=Michael|last=Idato|coauthors=Bibby, Paul|authorlink=Michael Idato|title=Not the retiring type: Martin quits Nine|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/not-the-retiring-type-martin-quits-nine/2008/02/07/1202234065932.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=2008-02-08|accessdate=2008-02-08]
* February 8 – At 12:00 PM AEDT ABC TV officially became ABC1. [cite web|first=David|last=Knox|title=Welcome ABC1..... bye bye ABC TV!|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/02/welcome-abc1-bye-bye-abc-tv.html|publisher=tvtonight.com.au|date=2008-02-08|accessdate=2008-02-08]
* February 8 – Former The Great Outdoors host Shelley Craft quits Channel Seven and moves to Channel Nine to take over from Toni Pearen as host of "Australia's Funniest Home Videos".
* February 12 – The Supreme Court of Victoria places an injunction on the broadcast and exhibition of the Nine Network's drama series "Underbelly" in Victoria, following concerns that the series, which depicts Melbourne's gangland wars, could prejudice an ongoing murder trial. [ [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23200542-29277,00.html Underbelly blocked by murder trial judge] , "Herald Sun", February 12 2008.]
* March 14 – "A Current Affair" broadcasts its 5000th episode and celebrates its 20th anniversary.
* March 17 – The Nine Network launches its high-definition television channel, Nine HD.
* April 3 – Kate Ritchie (Sally Fletcher), one of the original cast members of "Home and Away", leaves the series after 20 years.
* April 7 – The Nine Network makes the first episodes of the new series "Canal Road" available for download over the Internet, ahead of its television broadcast on April 16. [ [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23496341-1702,00.html Nine downloads series ahead of TV launch] , News Limited, April 7 2008.]
* April 27 – Jack Chambers wins the first series of "So You Think You Can Dance Australia". [Cubby, Ben: [http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/jack-the-top-dancer/2008/04/27/1209234657923.html Jack the top dancer] , "The Sydney Morning Herald", 28 April 2008.]
* May 4 – The 2008 Logie Awards are held. Kate Ritchie (formerly of "Home and Away") wins the Gold Logie for the second year in a row. [Dubecki, Larissa: [http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/kate-wins-gold/2008/05/04/1209839457086.html 'Home and Away' is far and away viewer favourite] , "The Age", May 5, 2008.]
* May 7 – SBS TV reveals its new logo.
* May 26 – Game show "Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune", a revival of the "Wheel of Fortune" format, premieres on the Nine Network.
* June 2 – The Seven Network apologises after airing an episode of the hospital drama "All Saints" in which it is suggested that a child born of an incestuous relationship is likely to result in the child having Down's syndrome. [Ricketson, Matthew: [http://www.theage.com.au/national/seven-apologises-for-incest-episode-20080602-2kw0.html Seven apologises for incest episode] , "The Age", June 3, 2008.]
* June 27 – "Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune" is cancelled on the Nine Network after a month.
* July 7 – Seven Network starts broadcasting its watermark on all news and current affairs programs.
* July 21 – The final episode of "Big Brother Australia", which was axed by Network Ten the week prior, goes to air. The winner of the final series is 52-year-old grandmother Terri Munro. [Molloy, Shannon: [http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/entertainment/ibig-brotheri-reaches-ugly-end/2008/07/22/1216492390750.html Big Brother reaches 'ugly' end] , "Brisbane Times", July 21, 2008.]
* July 25 – The Nine Network's "Nightline" news program is broadcast for the last time after 16 years on air.
* July 26 – Peter Cundall's last appearance on ABC1's "Gardening Australia" before retiring from Australian Landscapes. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/blooming-marvellous/2008/07/23/1216492518262.html Blooming marvellous] , "The Age", 24 July 2008.]
* July 28 – TV journalist, "This Is Your Life" host and also a former host of "A Current Affair", Mike Munro announces he is leaving the Nine Network after 22 years, due to budget cuts.
* August 3 – The Nine Network's "Sunday" program is broadcast for the last time after 27 years on air.
* August 28 – "Australia's Naughtiest Home Videos", an adult-oriented spin-off of "Australia's Funniest Home Videos" is revived on the Nine Network. The program made headlines in 1992 when then-CEO Kerry Packer ordered it to be take off-air after one episode.

Future and scheduled events

*November – The Channel Nine drama series "McLeod's Daughters" will end after a seven year run.

port

*January 6 – Australia retains the Border-Gavaskar Trophy when it beats India by 122 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground, equalling its own record of 16 consecutive Test cricket victories. [ [http://uk.reuters.com/article/UK_CRICKET/idUKSYD7591620080106 Cricket-Australia beat India in thriller to equal world record] , Reuters UK, 6 January 2008.]
*January 7 – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspends India's cricket tour of Australia after objecting to a three-match ban on Harbhajan Singh for allegedly calling Australian player Andrew Symonds a "big monkey". [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/01/07/1199554570945.html Indian tour on hold] , "The Age", January 8 2008.] The tour suspension is lifted on January 9 after umpire Steve Bucknor is removed from the third test.
*January 20 – Central Coast Mariners FC claim the premiership for the A-League 2007-08 season.
*January 14 to January 27 – The 2008 Australian Open Tennis Championships are held at Melbourne Park. Serbian Novak Đoković wins the men's singles, the first Grand Slam title since the 2005 Australian Open not won by Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. He is also the youngest player to win the Australian Open, and the first Serb. Russian Maria Sharapova wins the women's singles title. [ [http://news.theage.com.au/new-era-as-djokovic-wins-aussie-open-and-first-grand-slam-title/20080127-1ohk.html New era as Djokovic wins Aussie Open and first Grand Slam title] , "The Age", 28 January 2008.]
*February 6 – Australia defeats Qatar 3–0 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match at Telstra Dome in Melbourne. [Lynch, Michael: [http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/night-ends-by-smashing-qatar/2008/02/07/1202233960582.html Night ends by smashing Qatar] , "The Age", February 7 2008.]
*February 24 – Newcastle United Jets FC defeat Central Coast Mariners FC 1–0 in the A-League Grand Final 2008, becoming champions of the 2007-08 season. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/24/2170983.htm?section=sport Jets crowned A-League champions] , ABC Online, 24 February 2008.]
*March 2 – Australian rider Troy Bayliss wins both races at the Australian Superbike World Championship round.
*March 12 – The Football Federation Australia postpones the expansion of the A-League to include new clubs Gold Coast Galaxy FC and North Queensland Thunder FC until at least the 2009-10 season. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/aleague-expansion-deferred/2008/03/11/1205125912265.html A-League expansion deferred] , "The Age", March 12, 2008.]
*March 16 – British driver Lewis Hamilton wins the 2008 Australian Grand Prix. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/grand-prix/hamilton-survives-the-carnage/2008/03/16/1205602162587.html Hamilton survives the carnage] , "The Age", 16 March 2008.]
*March 22 – Swimmer Stephanie Rice breaks the 400 metres medley world record.
*March 25 – Stephanie Rice breaks the 200 metres medley world record.
*March 26 – Australia draws with China 0–0 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match at Tuodong Stadium in Kunming, China. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/26/2200086.htm Schwarzer's late save secures point for Australia] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, March 26 2008.]
*June 1 – Australia defeats Iraq 1–0 in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/06/01/1212258640764.html Kewell stars as Socceroos sink Iraq] , "The Age", June 1 2008.]
*July 2 – Queensland defeats New South Wales by 16-10 in the third game of the 2008 Rugby League State of Origin series, thereby winning their third consective series by two games to one. [ [http://blogs.abc.net.au/grandstand/2008/07/maroons-clinch.html?site=rugby_league Maroons clinch Origin three-peat] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, July 2 2008.]
*August 8 to August 24 – Australia competes in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The Australian Olympic team wins 14 gold medals, coming 6th on the medal tally.
*September 13 – The New Zealand All Blacks win the 2008 Tri Nations Series in rugby union.
*September 22 – The Western Bulldogs' Adam Cooney wins the 2008 Brownlow Medal for best and fairest player in the Australian Football League. [Baum, Greg: [http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/09/23/1221935557459.html It's Adam's eve] , "The Age", 23 September 2008.]
*September 27 – Hawthorn become premiers of the 2007 AFL season, defeating Geelong 18.7 (115) to 11.23 (89) in the 2008 AFL Grand Final. [ [http://www.realfooty.com.au/articles/2008/09/27/1222217571288.html Hawthorn pulls off grand final heist] , "The Age", 27 September 2008.]
*October 5 – The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles become premiers of the National Rugby League season 2008, defeating the Melbourne Storm 40–0 at ANZ Stadium.

Future and scheduled events

*October 25 to November 22 – The 2008 Rugby League World Cup will be held in Australia.

Deaths

*January 5 – Clinton Grybas, 32, sports commentator
*January 8 – George T. D. Moore, 84, former jockey and horse trainer
*January 9 – Tim Willoughby, 53, Olympic rower
*January 11 – Nancy Phelan, 94, writer
*January 12 – Isobel Bennett, 98, marine biologist
*January 19 – Creighton Burns, 82, editor of "The Age" newspaper (1981–1989)
*January 22 – Heath Ledger, 28, actor (died in New York City)
*January 25 – Roc Kirby, 89, founder of Village Roadshow Limited
*January 26 – Padraic McGuinness, 69, journalist
*February 3 – Jackie Orszaczky, 59, Hungarian-born musician and record producer
*February 14 – Smoky Dawson, 94, country music performer
*February 19 – Peter Pianto, 78, VFL player and coach for Geelong
*February 21 – Geoff Leek, 76, VFL player for Essendon
*February 25 – Ashley Cooper, 27, V8 Supercar race driver
*February 28 – Val Plumwood, 67, ecologist and feminist
*March 1 – Sid Spindler, 76, Democrats senator
*March 3 – Norm O'Neill, 71, cricketer
*March 14 – Clyde Cameron, 95, Whitlam government minister
*March 16 – Bill Brown, 95, cricketer and member of the 1948 Invincibles
*March 19 – John Dowie, 93, sculptor
*April 6 – Tony Davies, 68, New Zealand rugby union player
*April 7 – Sir Frank Little, 82, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne
*April 8 – John Button, 74, ALP senator and Hawke government minister
*April 10 – Kim Santow, 67, NSW Supreme Court judge, university chancellor
*April 24 – Tristram Cary, 82, British composer
*April 30 – John Cargher, 89, ABC Radio presenter
*May 9 – Jack Gibson, 79, rugby league coach and player
*May 10 – Jessie Jacobs, 17, actress ("The Saddle Club")
*May 22 – Charlie Booth, 104, athlete and inventor of the starting block
*May 26 – Alan Renouf, 89, head of DFAT and ambassador
*May 27 – Mick Nolan, 58, Australian rules footballer.
*June 3 – Trevor Kaine, 80, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (1989–1991)
*June 11 – Sir Francis Hassett, 90, soldier and head of the Australian Defence Force
*June 22 – Jane McGrath, 42, cancer support campaigner and wife of cricketer Glenn McGrath
*July 6 – Jack C. Collins, 78, Australian rules footballer (Footscray)
*July 7 – Yitzchok Dovid Groner, 83, chief rabbi of Melbourne’s Chabad-Lubavitch community
*July 12 – Olive Riley, 108, believed to have been the world's oldest blogger
*July 13 – Peter Durack, 81, Liberal Party senator and Fraser government minister
*July 16 – Lindsay Thompson, 84, Premier of Victoria (1981–1982)
*July 18 – Peter Welsh, 54, Australian rules footballer
*July 25 – Jeff Fehring, 52, Australian rules footballer
*August 5 – Reg Lindsay, 79, country music singer
*August 12 – Christie Allen, 53, pop music singer (Mushroom Records)
*August 28 – Mark Priestley, 32, television actor ("All Saints")
*September 1 – Michael Pate, 88, actor and writer
*September 1 – Kevin Heinze, 81, ABC television and radio presenter
*September 4 – Colin Egar, 80, cricket umpire and administrator
*September 12 – Bob Quinn, 88, SANFL footballer
*September 23 – Peter Leonard, 66, journalist and television presenter
*September 24 – Sir Peter Derham, 83, businessman and philanthropist
*September 25 – Roger Vanderfield, 80, rugby union referee and administrator
*October 2 – Rob Guest, 58, stage actor and singer
*October 4 - Levi Kereama, 27, R&B Singer

References