Born in 1973?

Ron Williams

This is the fourth of the 1970s and the 35th book overall to be released in a series of 35 about life in Australia, one for each year from 1939 to 1973. They describe happenings that affected people, real people. The whole series, to coin a modern phrase, is designed to push your buttons, to make you remember and wonder at things forgotten. The books might just let nostalgia see the light of day, so that oldies and youngies will talk about the past and re-discover a heritage otherwise forgotten. Hopefully, they will spark discussions between generations, and foster the asking and answering of questions that should not remain unanswered. In 1973, Queen Elizabeth II opened the Sydney Opera House, and is now titled Queen of Australia.  Young people over 18 can vote for the Federal Elections, and the pensions of older people are no longer means-tested. You can spend new Fifty Dollar notes at Australia’s first legal casino in Hobart. China is OK again, with a three-year Trade agreement with OZ, and Gough being the first Oz PM to visit. Police arrested 98 Green demonstrators occupying a building site in Sydney. Women got maternity leave if they work for the Federal Government, but only if they had a baby. Men should not apply. You cannot sell kangaroo products overseas any more. The White Australia Policy is gone, and so too is the death penalty.