1977 in Australia
{{short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2012}}
The following lists events that happened during 1977 in Australia.
{{Infobox Australian year
| monarch = Elizabeth II
| governor-general = Sir John Kerr, then Sir Zelman Cowen
| pm =Malcolm Fraser
| population = 14,033,083
| australian = Raigh Roe and Murray Tyrrell
| elections =WA, Referendum, NT, SA, QLD, Federal
}}
{{Year in Australia|1977}}
Incumbents
{{multiple image
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| align=right
| caption_align=center
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| image1=Governor-General Sir John Kerr (cropped).jpg
| caption1=Sir John Kerr
| image2=Zelman Cowen.jpg
| caption2=Sir Zelman Cowen
}}
File:Malcolm Fraser 1977 (cropped).jpg]]
- Monarch – Elizabeth II
- Governor-General – Sir John Kerr (until 8 December), then Sir Zelman Cowen
- Prime Minister – Malcolm Fraser
- Deputy Prime Minister – Doug Anthony
- Opposition Leader – Gough Whitlam (until 22 December), then Bill Hayden
- Chief Justice – Sir Garfield Barwick
=State and territory leaders=
- Premier of New South Wales – Neville Wran
- Opposition Leader – Sir Eric Willis (until 16 December), then Peter Coleman
- Premier of Queensland – Joh Bjelke-Petersen
- Opposition Leader – Tom Burns
- Premier of South Australia – Don Dunstan
- Opposition Leader – David Tonkin
- Premier of Tasmania – Bill Neilson (until 1 December), then Doug Lowe
- Opposition Leader – Max Bingham
- Premier of Victoria – Rupert Hamer
- Opposition Leader – Clyde Holding (until 29 June), then Frank Wilkes
- Premier of Western Australia – Sir Charles Court
- Opposition Leader – Colin Jamieson
- Majority Leader of the Northern Territory – Goff Letts (until 12 August), then Paul Everingham
- Opposition Leader – Jon Isaacs (from 21 September)
=Governors and administrators=
- Governor of New South Wales – Sir Roden Cutler
- Governor of Queensland – Sir Colin Hannah (until 20 March), then Sir James Ramsay (from 22 April)
- Governor of South Australia – Sir Douglas Nicholls (until 30 April), then Sir Keith Seaman (from 1 September)
- Governor of Tasmania – Sir Stanley Burbury
- Governor of Victoria – Sir Henry Winneke
- Governor of Western Australia – Sir Wallace Kyle
- Administrator of Norfolk Island – Desmond O'Leary
Events
=January=
- 1 January – Six hikers who went missing in Lamington National Park on 27 December 1976 are found safe and well.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-six-hikers-saf/137405740|title=Six hikers safe in bush ordeal|author=|date=2 January 1977|work=The Sun-Herald|pages=1-2|publisher=|access-date=26 December 2023|quote=|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226095642/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-six-hikers-saf/137405740/|url-status=live}} They had been attempting to locate the site of the 1937 Airlines of Australia Stinson crash which occurred on 18 February 1937.{{cite news|author=|date=3 January 1977|title=Eels, crayfish kept lost hikers going|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-eels-crayfish/137405873|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=28 January 2023|archive-date=28 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228080025/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-eels-crayfish/137405873/|url-status=live}}
- 5 January – The Connellan air disaster takes place which is Australia's only aircraft suicide attack.{{cite news|last=Holland|first=John|date=6 January 1977|title='Kamikaze' kills four|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kamikaze-kills-four/137272544|work=The Age|page=1|location=|access-date=23 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225032830/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kamikaze-kills-four/137272544/|url-status=live}} Carried out by a disgruntled former employee of Connellan Airways, the attack claims the lives of five people including the pilot.
- 10 January – The Easey Street murders take place, in which two women were raped and stabbed to death in their home in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Collingwood.{{cite news|last1=Carman|first1=Gerry|last2=Gordon|first2=Michael|date=14 January 1977|title=Bodies two days in death home|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-bodies-two-days-in-death-home/137272665|work=The Age|page=1|location=|access-date=23 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225032748/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-bodies-two-days-in-death-home/137272665/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Carman|first=Gerry|date=15 January 1977|title=Double killing: two leads|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-double-killing-two-leads/137272697|work=The Age|page=3|location=|access-date=23 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225032748/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-double-killing-two-leads/137272697/|url-status=live}} It was not until September 2024 that a suspect was arrested in Italy in relation to the murders.{{cite news |last1=Alvaro |first1=Alexandra |title=When Italian Police received a red alert on a wanted man all the way from Melbourne, they got to work fast |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-28/easey-street-italy-arrest-rome-airport-perry-kouroumblis/104406310 |access-date=1 December 2024 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=27 September 2024 |language=en-AU}}
- 18 January – Australia experiences its worst railway disaster at Granville, near Sydney, in which 83 people died.{{cite news|last1=Cunningham|first1=James|last2=McIlraith|first2=Shaun|date=19 January 1977|title=Battle to free bodies|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-battle-to-free/137272786|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=23 December 2023|archive-date=23 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223104333/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-battle-to-free/137272786/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=|date=20 January 1977|title=80 dead as wreck cleared|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-80-dead-as-wre/137272817|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=23 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225032749/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-80-dead-as-wre/137272817/|url-status=live}}
=February=
- 1 February – The Federal Court of Australia began to exercise its jurisdiction.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
- 6 February – Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II's accession as Queen of Australia.{{cite news|author=|date=7 February 1977|title=A milestone for the modern Elizabethans|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-a-milestone-for-the-modern-eliza/137322014|work=The Age|page=1|location=|access-date=24 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224104221/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-a-milestone-for-the-modern-eliza/137322014/|url-status=live}}
- 7 February – 418 refugees of the Vietnam War arrive in Melbourne. The refugees, from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, left refugee camps around Bangkok for the largest airlift of war victims from Thailand.{{cite news|author=|date=8 February 1977|title=Air lift of Asian refugees to safety|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-air-lift-of-as/137322044|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=9|location=|access-date=24 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224104243/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-air-lift-of-as/137322044/|url-status=live}}
- 27 February – ABBA arrive in Australia for their live concert tour around the country starting at the Sydney Showground.{{cite news|author=|date=28 February 1977|title=Pop group's fans waited in vain|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pop-groups-fa/137322115|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=24 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224104242/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pop-groups-fa/137322115/|url-status=live}}
=March=
- 8 March:
- The Federal Government holds a reception in Canberra for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh as they begin the Silver Jubilee tour of Australia.{{cite news|author=|date=8 March 1977|title=3,000 welcome the Queen|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-3000-welcome/137322182|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=24 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224111735/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-3000-welcome/137322182/|url-status=live}}
- The TAB announces the first-ever legal betting on VFL football,{{cite news |last1=Poulter |first1=Geoff |last2=Aylett|first2=Allen|author-link2=Allen Aylett|title=VFL Hits Tabella Turf 'Cut' |work=The Age |date=9 March 1977 |page=32}} which came into operation on 2 April.{{cite news|author-link=Royce Hart |last=Hart |first=Royce |title=Let's Take a Punt and Help Tabella To Kick On |work=The Age |date=5 April 1977 |page=34}}
- 9 March — Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Brisbane as part of her Silver Jubilee goodwill tour.{{cite news|author=|date=10 March 1977|title=Queensland lives up to its name|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-queensland-liv/137322223|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=24 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224111714/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-queensland-liv/137322223/|url-status=live}}
- 13 March – ABBA In Australia tour concludes.
- 15 March:
- The former Australian consul to Timor Jim Dunn prepares to testify to the United States Congress on Indonesian atrocities.{{cite news |last=Hicks|first=Ian|date=14 March 1977|title=US to check Timor charges|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-us-to-check-ti/137322342|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=11|location= |access-date=24 December 2023}} The Indonesian Foreign Minister Adam Malik responds by threatening that his Government would allow "demonstrations and other mass actions" against the Australian Embassy to continue if further agitation against alleged Indonesian atrocities were allowed.{{cite news|last=McDonald|first=Hamish|date=16 March 1977|title=Indonesia warns Aust over Timor protests|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-indonesia-warn/137322308|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=24 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224111714/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-indonesia-warn/137322308/|url-status=live}}
- Foreign Minister Andrew Peacock presents a 24-page speech to Federal Parliament in which he outlines a new direction in foreign policies based on Australia's richness in a world of want.{{cite news |author= |date=16 March 1977|title=Peacock warns Uganda, S Africa |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-peacock-warns/137322387|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=11|location= |access-date=24 December 2023}} He says population and resources would be central future policies, as well as making attacks on Soviet Union military expansion.
- Federal Cabinet approves an agreement with the United States for the construction of the controversial Omega navigation station at a predicted cost of $15 million.{{cite news|author=|date=17 March 1977|title=Cabinet 'yes' to Omega plan|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-cabinet-yes/137322427|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=2|location=|access-date=24 December 2023|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224111715/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-cabinet-yes/137322427/|url-status=live}}
- 31 March – The Conciliation and Arbitration Commission’s wage decision is handed down.{{cite news|last1=Withington|first1=David|last2=Basile|first2=Vincent|last3=Gratton|first3=Michelle|last4=Borschmann|first4=Gregg|date=1 April 2023|title=Indexation in danger|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-indexation-in-danger/137322475|work=The Age|page=1|location=|access-date=24 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226170611/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-indexation-in-danger/137322475/|url-status=live}} The Commission indicates it would hold an inquiry into various aspects of wage fixation. The Commission introduces a $5.70 a week increase on prices, prompting Federal Treasurer Phillip Lynch to say that the decision would retard the fight against inflation.
=April=
- 13 April – The Premiers' Conference is held in Canberra where all governments commit to a three-month prices and wages freeze.{{cite news|last1=Bowers|first1=Peter|last2=Frykberg|first2=Ian|last3=Martin|first3=Keith|date=14 April 1977|title=Seven govts united|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-seven-govts-un/137352290|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225010905/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-seven-govts-un/137352290/|url-status=live}}
=May=
- 15 May – The Australian Democrats is launched by former Liberal MP Don Chipp at Melbourne Town Hall.{{cite news |last=Roberts|first=Mike|date=16 May 1977|title=Crowded meeting gives birth to a new party - Chipp's Australian Democrats|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-crowded-meeting-gives-birth-to-a/137352537|work=The Age|page=3|location= |access-date=25 December 2023}}
- 21 May – The 1977 Australian referendum is held.{{cite news|last=Bowers|first=Peter|date=21 May 1977|title=Fraser forecasts massive Yes vote|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fraser-forecas/137352664|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226220037/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fraser-forecas/137352664/|url-status=live}} Questions on Senate casual vacancies, referendums and retirement of judges are passed.{{cite news|last=O'Reilly|first=Neil|date=22 May 1977|title=Simultaneous polls are out - it's No for 1, Yes -3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-simultaneous-p/137352700|work=The Sun-Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225012437/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-simultaneous-p/137352700/|url-status=live}} A question on simultaneous elections for the House of Representatives and the Senate fails.{{cite news|last=Gratton|first=Michelle|date=23 May 1977|title=Senate election tipped: Referendum "No' result may be the trigger|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-senate-election-tipped-referend/137352826|work=The Age|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225012438/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-senate-election-tipped-referend/137352826/|url-status=live}} A plebiscite to decide Australia's national song is won by "Advance Australia Fair".{{cite news|author=|date=23 May 1977|title=Voters tune in to Advance Australia Fair|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-voters-tune-in-to-advance-austra/137352750|work=The Age|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226221717/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-voters-tune-in-to-advance-austra/137352750/|url-status=live}}
- 24 May:
- United States president Jimmy Carter gives the Australian Government his personal assurance that US agencies (in particular the Central Intelligence Agency) were not engaged in improper activities in Australia, an issue that had resurfaced in the espionage trial of Christopher Boyce in the United States.{{cite news|author=|date=25 May 1977|title=Carter tells Fraser CIA actions not improper|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-carter-tells-f/137353163|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225235547/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-carter-tells-f/137353163/|url-status=live}} Fraser included this information in a statement to the House of Representatives on 24 May.
- John Howard tables a white paper on the future of the manufacturing industry in parliament.{{cite news|last=Steketee|first=Mike|date=25 May 1977|title=Federal Govt promises aid for manufacturers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-federal-govt-p/137353324|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=14|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226220044/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-federal-govt-p/137353324/|url-status=live}} The paper noted that despite the growth of mining, manufacturing still employed more than 1.3 million people in 1975, of whom 0.5 million had been born overseas. Manufacturing depended substantially on tariff protection and other government assistance, as well as facing ever-increasing competition from other countries, particularly in Asia.
=June=
- 15 June – The Gleneagles Agreement is unanimously approved by the Commonwealth of Nations at a meeting at Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Scotland. Commonwealth Presidents and Prime Ministers agree, as part of their support for the international campaign against apartheid, to discourage contact and competition between their sportsmen and sporting organisations, teams or individuals from South Africa.{{cite news|last=Bowers|first=Peter|date=15 June 1977|title=Call to cut all sport ties with S Africa|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-call-to-cut-al/137353795|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225200426/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-call-to-cut-al/137353795/|url-status=live}}
- 22 June:
- The Uniting Church in Australia is formed following the union of the majority of Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Union churches in Australia.{{cite news|last=Gill|first=Alan|date=22 June 1977|title=Great ecumenical advance: Uniting Church opens with Sydney rally|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-great-ecumenic/137353921|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=28|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225020410/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-great-ecumenic/137353921/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Gill|first=Alan|date=22 June 1977|title=More than 100 years to achieve Church union|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-more-than-100/137353999|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=29|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225014909/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-more-than-100/137353999/|url-status=live}}
- Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser meets with United States president Jimmy Carter in Washington.{{cite news|last=Bowers|first=Peter|date=24 June 1977|title=Carter hails PM over uranium safeguards|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-carter-hails-p/137354259|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location= |access-date=25 December 2023}} Fraser is impressed by Carter 'as a decisive man' who would be 'setting American objectives in the great humanitarian issues'. Carter undertakes to consult Australia before any agreement was concluded with the Soviet Union on arms limitation in the Indian Ocean.
=July=
- 1 July – The Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman is established.{{cite news|author=|date=1 July 1977|title=Ombudsman on the job today|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ombudsman-on-t/137355459|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=3|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225023036/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ombudsman-on-t/137355459/|url-status=live}}
- 15 July – Anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay disappears near Griffith, New South Wales.{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Peter|date=17 July 1977|title=Drug slaying fears: Liberal Party official missing|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-drug-slaying-f/137355573|work=The Sun-Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225023035/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-drug-slaying-f/137355573/|url-status=live}} He is presumed to have been murdered.{{cite news|last=Sandlilands|first=Ben|date=18 July 1977|title='He's dead,' says Griffith wife|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hes-dead-s/137355641|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226221935/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hes-dead-s/137355641/|url-status=live}}
=August=
- 7 August – At the Association of South-East Asian Nations meeting in Kuala Lumpur, prime minister Malcolm Fraser offers ASEAN leaders a package of increased bilateral aid of $250 million, as well as an extra $10 million for joint development projects, but claimed Australia could do nothing in its present economic circumstances to reduce trade barriers against their countries' products.{{cite news|last=Steketee|first=Mike|date=8 August 1977|title=PM stands firm on trade - but ASEAN to get early tariff warning|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pm-stands-firm/137355821|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225033919/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-pm-stands-firm/137355821/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Steketee|first=Mike|date=8 August 1977|title=Fraser cautions on Soviet arms growth|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fraser-caution/137355896|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=3|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225033918/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-fraser-caution/137355896/|url-status=live}}
- 9 August – A board of inquiry into Housing Commission land deals is appointed by the Victorian Government with the power to investigate Cabinet decisions and to call Ministers to give evidence.{{cite news|last1=Baker|first1=Mark|last2=Streel|first2=Elisabeth|date=10 August 1977|title=Wide power for probe|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-wide-power-for-probe/137356495|work=The Age|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225033917/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-wide-power-for-probe/137356495/|url-status=live}}
- 11 August – A 24-hour strike by postal staff at Melbourne's two biggest parcel centres stops more than 25,000 parcels being handled.{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Michael|date=12 August 1977|title=Bid to settle mail dispute|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-bid-to-settle-mail-dispute/137356579|work=The Age|page=1|location= |access-date=25 December 2023}}{{cite news|last1=Gordon|first1=Michael|last2=Carman|first2=Gerry|date=13 August 1977|title=Mail row: formula for peace|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-mail-row-formula-for-peace/137356607|work=The Age|page=3|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225033918/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-mail-row-formula-for-peace/137356607/|url-status=live}}
- 15 August – Cabinet decided that Australia would negotiate bilateral safeguards agreements with purchasers covering both present and future use of the uranium. Australia would seek an understanding with other exporters on the application and enforcement of safeguards, but this would not constitute a commercial cartel to control price or quantity.
- 16 August – Federal Treasurer Philip Lynch presents the 1977–78 budget, with a predicted deficit of $2.21 billion.{{cite news|last1=Bowers|first1=Peter|last2=Sketetee|first2=Mike|last3=Pierce|first3=J N|date=17 August 1977|title=Down goes personal tax|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-down-goes-pers/137357892|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|pages=1,8-12|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225033921/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-down-goes-pers/137357892/|url-status=live}} It reduces personal income tax scales from seven to three (32 per cent, 46 per cent and 60 per cent) and also provides personal tax cuts to operate from 1 February 1978.
- 17 August – Federal Treasurer Phillip Lynch addresses the National Press Club of Australia and blames the Arbitration Commission for the lack of improvement in unemployment for its failure to restrain wages through its decisions.{{cite news|last=Gratton|first=Michelle|date=18 August 1977|title=Lynch hits pay bench|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-lynch-hits-pay-bench/137357664|work=The Age|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225034011/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-lynch-hits-pay-bench/137357664/|url-status=live}}
- 21 August – Mail services returns to normal following the end of a national postal dispute.{{cite news |author= |date=22 August 1977|title=National mail flowing again|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-national-mail-flowing-again/137357383|work=The Age|page=1|location= |access-date=25 December 2023}}
- 23 August – Cabinet makes its final decisions on uranium mining in Australia, endorsing the main findings of the Fox inquiry unless there were 'compelling reasons' for departing from them.{{cite news|last=Bowers|first=Peter|date=26 August 1977|title=Go-ahead for uranium|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-go-ahead-for-u/137357189|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|pages=1,8-9|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225203803/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-go-ahead-for-u/137357189/|url-status=live}} It was agreed that mining could proceed, subject to environmental controls and a stringent nuclear safeguards regime. The Ranger Uranium Mine could be developed without further environmental assessment, but the other two mines in the Alligator River region – Jabiluka and Koongarra – would not be approved for a considerable time. Cabinet also agreed on the staged establishment of Kakadu National Park, although the Ranger, Jabiluka and Koongarra uranium leases were to be excluded from it.
- 24 August – Australia's first 7-Eleven convenience store opens in the Melbourne suburb of Oakleigh.{{cite news|last=Wilkins|first=Sally|date=25 August 1977|title=Jumbo-sized convenience|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-jumbo-sized-convenience/137357761|work=The Age|page=2|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226003703/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-jumbo-sized-convenience/137357761/|url-status=live}}[http://7eleven.com.au/about-us About Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115023354/http://7eleven.com.au/about-us |date=15 January 2013 }}, 7-Eleven Australia.
=September=
- 4 September – The Queensland Government bans street marches and demonstrations.{{cite news|author=|date=5 September 1977|title=Qld ban on street protest marches|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-qld-ban-on-str/137358465|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=17|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225041041/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-qld-ban-on-str/137358465/|url-status=live}}
- 6 September:
- Victoria experiences a statewide 24-hour stoppage of train, tram and tramway bus services due to a strike by 20,000 public transport workers – the third strike in a month.{{cite news|last1=Withington|first1=David|last2=Warneke|first2=Ross|date=7 September 1977|title=Train, tram threat off|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-train-tram-threat-off/137358603|work=The Age|page=11|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226222541/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-train-tram-threat-off/137358603/|url-status=live}}
- Federal Attorney-General Bob Ellicott quits the Fraser ministry after a row with Cabinet over the conspiracy case against former Labor Ministers.{{cite news|last=Steketee|first=Mike|date=7 September 1977|title=Ellicott: Why I quit|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ellicott-why/137358679|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226222542/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-ellicott-why/137358679/|url-status=live}} Senator Peter Durack is appointed in his place.
- 15 September:
- The ACTU congress resolves to ban the mining and export of uranium from mid-November unless the Government agrees to hold a referendum on the issue.{{cite news|author=|date=16 September 1977|title=Uranium collision course set|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-uranium-collis/137358792|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226010305/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-uranium-collis/137358792/|url-status=live}} The referendum proposal is not favoured by the Australian Labor Party, most of whose parliamentary leaders are inclined to support mining.
- The Indian High Commissioner Shri Jagdish Chand Ajmani's military attaché Colonel Iqbal Singh and his wife are attacked by a member of the Indian Ananda Marga sect.{{cite news|author=|date=16 September 1977|title=Massive hunt for diplomat's attacker - religious sect homes raided|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-massive-hunt-f/137359065|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225041040/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-massive-hunt-f/137359065/|url-status=live}}
- 17 September – The 1977 South Australian state election is held. The incumbent Australian Labor Party led by Don Dunstan is returned to power.{{cite news|last=O'Reilly|first=Neil|date=18 September 1977|title=SA Labor increases majority|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sa-labor-incre/137359142|work=The Sun-Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225041038/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-sa-labor-incre/137359142/|url-status=live}}
=October=
- 8 October – The Tasman Bridge in Hobart re-opens after repair to the damage sustained in the Tasman Bridge disaster when the bridge was struck by the bulk ore carrier MV Lake Illawarra on 5 January 1975.{{cite news |author= |date=10 October 1977|title=Quiet start to bridge's second life|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-quiet-start-to/137359261|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=10|location= |access-date=25 December 2023}}
- 19 October:
- An employee of Air India’s Melbourne office is stabbed by a man who left a threatening letter, allegedly from the Ananda Marga-affiliated Universal Proutist Revolutionary Federation.{{cite news|last1=Murdoch|first1=Lindsay|last2=Balderstone|first2=Simon|date=20 October 1977|title=Clerk stabbed in ransom bid|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-clerk-stabbed-in-ransom-bid/137359533|work=The Age|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225042550/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-clerk-stabbed-in-ransom-bid/137359533/|url-status=live}}
- Cabinet decides to review the management of explosives by Commonwealth agencies and to provide 203 more Commonwealth police for diplomatic security work, while foreign missions in Australia are urged to upgrade their security.
- 27 October – Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser announces that the 1977 Australian federal election will be held on 10 December.{{cite news|last=Gratton|first=Michelle|date=28 October 1977|title=Election battle begins|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-election-battle-begins/137359400|work=The Age|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226010308/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-election-battle-begins/137359400/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Steketee|first=Mike|date=28 October 1977|title=Campaign opens: economy the key|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-campaign-opens/137359356|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225042550/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-campaign-opens/137359356/|url-status=live}}
=November=
- 12 November – The 1977 Queensland state election is held, with the Liberal-National coalition led by Joh Bjelke-Petersen gaining their fourth successive victory.{{cite news|last=O'Reilly|first=Neil|date=13 November 1977|title=Joh back but big ALP swing|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-joh-back-but-b/137363811|work=The Sun-Herald|pages=1,24|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225083154/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-joh-back-but-b/137363811/|url-status=live}}
- 18 November – Phillip Lynch resigns as the federal treasurer and is succeeded by John Howard.{{cite news|last=Bowers|first=Peter|date=19 November 1977|title=Lynch quits, denies guilt|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-lynch-quits-d/137363847|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225083155/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-lynch-quits-d/137363847/|url-status=live}}
- 30 November – The High Court of Australia rules in the case of Cridland v Federal Commissioner of Taxation that a group of university students avoiding tax by claiming to be farmers were acting legally under provisions of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.{{cite news|author=|date=1 December 1977|title=Income averaging decision reversed|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-income-averagi/137363887|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|pages=17-18|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225083154/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-income-averagi/137363887/|url-status=live}}
=December=
- 1 December – Bill Neilson resigns as Premier of Tasmania to become Australia's agent-general in London and is succeeded by Doug Lowe.{{cite news|author=|date=2 December 1977|title=New premier|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-new-premier/137363937|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226023720/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-new-premier/137363937/|url-status=live}}
- 8 December – Sir Zelman Cowen replaced Sir John Kerr as Governor-General of Australia.{{cite news |author= |date=9 December 1977|title=Swearing in of Sir Zelman Cowen|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110882012|work=The Canberra Times|page=1|location= |access-date=25 December 2023}}
- 10 December – The 1977 Australian federal election is held. Malcolm Fraser's Liberal/National Country coalition government is re-elected with a slightly reduced majority, defeating the Labor Party led by former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.{{cite news|last=O'Reilly|first=Neil|date=11 December 1977|title=Govt is back: Gough stands down|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-govt-is-back/137364003|work=The Sun-Herald|pages=1-3|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225085943/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-govt-is-back/137364003/|url-status=live}}
- 22 December – Bill Hayden and Lionel Bowen replace Gough Whitlam and Tom Uren in the ALP leadership.{{cite news|last1=Bowers|first1=Peter|last2=Frykberg|first2=Ian|date=23 December 1977|title=Hayden pledge to review Labor's aims|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hayden-pledge/137364126|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225085950/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-hayden-pledge/137364126/|url-status=live}}
Science and technology
{{Empty section|date=July 2010}}
Arts and literature
{{main|1977 in Australian literature}}
- 16 December 1977 – Kevin Connor wins the Archibald Prize with Robert Klippel.{{cite news|author=|date=17 December 1977|title=For the winner, everything's in order this time|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-for-the-winner/137364249|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=5|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225091801/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-for-the-winner/137364249/|url-status=live}}
- 26 April 1978 – Ruth Park's novel Swords and Crowns and Rings wins the 1977 Miles Franklin Award.{{cite news|author=|date=27 April 1978|title=Literary award announced|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-literary-award/137364272|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=2|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225091804/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-literary-award/137364272/|url-status=live}}
Film
- 17 August – The Getting of Wisdom{{cite news|last=McIntosh|first=Philip|date=18 August 1977|title=Director tries wisdom on 'wisdom'|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-director-tries-wisdom-on-wisdom/137364317|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=2|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226235951/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-director-tries-wisdom-on-wisdom/137364317/|url-status=live}}
Television
- 3 April – When Countdown celebrated 100 episodes, host Molly Meldrum feels tired and emotional prompting regulars Daryl Braithwaite and John Paul Young to both step in and host the remainder of the show.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
- Soap operas Bellbird, Number 96, and The Box, are all cancelled.
- 19 November – On Countdown, Molly Meldrum interviews Prince Charles.{{cite news|author=|date=10 November 1977|title=After Melbourne's tee-shirts and fluffed lines, it's a kiss from Adelaide|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-after-melbournes-tee-shirts-and/137364354|work=The Age|page=13|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226004653/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-after-melbournes-tee-shirts-and/137364354/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=|date=17 November 1977|title=Saturday TV - November 19, 1977|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-saturday-tv-november-19-1977/137364372|work=The Age|page=47|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|quote=ABV-2; 6.0: COUNTDOWN - ABC pop music series: Inc. film of Prince Charles launching Countdown Silver Jubilee Top 20 Album...|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227052218/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-saturday-tv-november-19-1977/137364372/|url-status=live}}
- 28 November – The first episode of Cop Shop airs on the Seven Network.{{cite news|author=|date=27 November 1977|title=This time it's a jolly cop shop|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-this-time-its/137389903|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=72|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226004656/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-this-time-its/137389903/|url-status=live}}
- 6 December – The first episode of The Restless Years airs on the 0-10 Network.{{cite news|author=|date=1 December 1977|title=New serial centres on young|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-new-serial-centres-on-young/137389695|work=The Age|page=37|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226030855/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-new-serial-centres-on-young/137389695/|url-status=live}}
- 22 December – The final episode of the 0-10 Network's long-running drama Number 96 airs for the final time in Melbourne (note: 11 August in Sydney), having first aired in 1972.{{cite news|author=|date=15 December 1977|title=It's bye-bye Bellbird and Number 96|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-its-bye-bye-bellbird-and-number/137364431|work=The Age|page=37|location=|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226004652/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-its-bye-bye-bellbird-and-number/137364431/|url-status=live}}
- 23 December – The final episode of ABC TV's long running drama Bellbird airs for the final time, having first aired in 1967.
Sport
- 28 February – Western Australia win the 1976–77 Sheffield Shield season.{{cite news|author=|date=1 March 1977|title=Rains keeps NSW fourth in Shield|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-rain-keeps-nsw/137404171|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=15|location=|access-date=|quote=Victoria had 91 points from eight games with two wins and six draws to finish behind Western Australia who had 138 points.|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227080347/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-rain-keeps-nsw/137404171/|url-status=live}}
- 12 March – The Centenary Test commences between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.{{cite news|last1=Mossop|first1=Brian|last2=O'Reilly|first2=Bill|date=13 March 1977|title=Jaw smashed and McCosker is out|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-jaw-smashed-an/137403109|work=The Sun-Herald|pages=76-77|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226063507/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-jaw-smashed-an/137403109/|url-status=live}}
- 20 March – Australia is represented by nine long-distance runners (all men), including Robert de Castella, at the fifth IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Düsseldorf, West Germany.{{cite news|author=|date=22 March 1977|title=Aust runners are sixth|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-aust-runners-a/137403267/|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=16|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226063828/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-aust-runners-a/137403267/|url-status=live}} Steve Austin is Australia's best finisher, claiming the 15th spot (38:26.0) in the race over 12,3 kilometres.
- 2 April – The National Soccer League kicks off, as the first league of any football code to become national with West Adelaide defeating Canberra City 3–1 in the opening game at Manuka Oval in Canberra.{{cite news|last=Myerscough|first=Ian|date=4 April 1977|title=Two Canberra City players sent off|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110731450|work=The Canberra Times|page=22|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226063828/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110731450|url-status=live}}
- 7 May – Hawthorn set two VFL records when they kick 41 behinds and have a total of 66 scoring shots against St Kilda. These totals remain six ahead of the second-most behinds and scoring shots.
- 6 August – Robert Wallace wins the men's national marathon title, clocking 2:20:11.2 in Cressy, Tasmania.{{cite news|author=|date=8 August 1977|title=Wallace wins marathon|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-wallace-wins-marathon/137403537|work=The Age|page=31|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226070835/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-wallace-wins-marathon/137403537/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Australian Marathon Championship 1977|url=http://www.athletics.com.au/history/aust_marathon/marathon-1977.htm|publisher=Athletics Australia|access-date=19 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028185421/http://www.athletics.com.au/history/aust_marathon/marathon-1977.htm|archive-date=28 October 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
- England defeat a weakened Australia team 3–0 in The Ashes test series
- 17 September – St. George and minor premiers Parramatta play a 9–9 draw after 100 minutes in the 1977 NSWRL Grand Final.{{cite news|last=Clarkson|first=Alan|date=18 September 1977|title=League deadlock after extra time - replay next week|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-league-deadloc/137403618|work=The Sun-Herald|page=83location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226065942/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-league-deadloc/137403618/|url-status=live}} It is the first Grand Final to be tied after 100 minutes including extra time. Newtown finish in last position, claiming their second straight wooden spoon.
- 24 September
- St. George thrash Parramatta 22–0 in the 1977 NSWRL Grand Final replay.{{cite news|author=|date=25 September 1977|title=Dragons fire!|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-dragons-fire/137403680|work=The Sun-Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226071446/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-dragons-fire/137403680/|url-status=live}}
- North Melbourne and Collingwood play in the 1977 VFL grand final which becomes only the second VFL Grand Final draw in history.{{cite news|last=Dyer|first=Jack|date=25 September 1977|title=VFL grand final on Saturday|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-vfl-grand-fina/137403778|work=The Sun-Herald|page=83|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226070835/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-vfl-grand-fina/137403778/|url-status=live}}
- 1 October – North Melbourne defeat Collingwood in the 1977 Grand Final replay.{{cite news|last=Dyer|first=Jack|date=2 October 1977|title=North take 1977 VFL premiership|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-north-take-197/137403865|work=The Sun-Herald|page=|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226065943/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-north-take-197/137403865/|url-status=live}}
- 2 October – In motor racing Ford team-mates Allan Moffat and Colin Bond finish side by side to complete a 1–2 Formation Finish at the Bathurst 1000.{{cite news|last=Robertson|first=David|date=3 October 1977|title=Moffat wins 'hardest race of career'|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-moffat-wins-h/137403915|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226070837/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-moffat-wins-h/137403915/|url-status=live}}
- 1 November – Gold and Black wins the Melbourne Cup.{{cite news|last=Bourke|first=Tony|date=2 November 1977|title=The surge to victory through a wall of horses|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-the-surge-to-victory-through-a-w/137403978|work=The Age|page=1|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=27 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227080400/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-the-surge-to-victory-through-a-w/137403978/|url-status=live}}
- 29 December – Kialoa II wins the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.{{cite news|author=|date=30 December 1977|title=Kiaola first again|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kialoa-first-again/137404312|work=The Age|page=16|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226074001/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-kialoa-first-again/137404312/|url-status=live}}
Births
- 1 January – Craig Reucassel, comedian and television host
- 2 January – Jai Rowell, politician
- 6 January – Shane Rigon, rugby league player
- 17 January – Leigh Whannell, actor, filmmaker
- 8 February – Barry Hall, footballer
- 14 February – Cadel Evans, cyclist
- 14 February- Jim Jefferies, comedian
- 21 February – Ben Ikin, rugby league player
- 24 February – Jason Akermanis, Australian Rules footballer
- 25 February – Joanne Banning, field hockey striker
- 1 March – Fiona Scott, politician
- 15 March – Adrian Burnside, baseball player
- 24 March – Darren Lockyer, Rugby league footballer{{cite web|title=Player Profile – Darren Lockyer|url=http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/1/playerid/193/seasonid/7/default.aspx|website=nrl.com|publisher=National Rugby League|access-date=2 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714220703/http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/1/playerid/193/seasonid/7/default.aspx|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
- 31 March – Garth Tander, racing driver
- 12 April – Sarah Monahan, actress
- 6 May – Chantelle Newbery, Olympic champion diver
- 10 May – Chas Licciardello, comedian
- 14 May – Ada Nicodemou, actress{{cite web|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/home-and-away/cast/ada-nicodemou|title=Ada Nicodemou plays Leah Patterson-Baker|publisher=TVNZ OnDemand|access-date=10 July 2018|archive-date=10 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710194713/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/home-and-away/cast/ada-nicodemou|url-status=live}}
- 24 May – Katie Noonan, new age musician/soprano (george)
- 7 June – Preston Campbell, rugby league player
- 11 June – Geoff Ogilvy, golfer
- 20 June – Aaron Moule, rugby league player
- 6 July – Con Blatsis, Australian footballer
- 10 July – Schapelle Corby, drug trafficker
- 12 July – Soa Palelei, mixed martial artist
- 26 July – Rebecca St. James, Australian-born Christian musician
- 6 August – Rebecca Maddern, journalist and television host
- 11 August – Byron Pickett, Australian Rules footballer
- 13 August – Michael Klim, swimmer
- 14 August – Justin Anlezark, shot putter
- 15 August – Anthony Rocca, Australian Rules footballer
- 25 August – Lawrence Leung, comedian, writer, and director
- 31 August – Craig Nicholls, rock musician and songwriter
- 1 September – Henry Collins, boxer
- 6 September – Peter Wakefield, boxer
- 23 October – Brad Haddin, cricketer
- 30 October – Charmian Faulkner, missing toddler
- 11 November – Ben Hollioake, Australian-born England cricketer (d. 2002){{cite news|title=Ben Hollioake: Obituary|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1388739/Ben-Hollioake.html|newspaper=telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=18 April 2012|date=25 March 2002|archive-date=29 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229040418/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1388739/Ben-Hollioake.html|url-status=live}}
- 16 November – Gigi Edgley, actress
- 6 December – Peta Gallagher, field hockey striker
- 30 December
- Grant Balfour, Major League Baseball pitcher
- Scott Lucas, Australian rules footballer
Deaths
- 14 January – Peter Finch (born 1916), actor{{cite news|last=Risebrough|first=Don|date=16 January 1977|title=Peter Finch - a star to the last|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-peter-finch/137402906|work=The Sun-Herald|page=1|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226062034/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-peter-finch/137402906/|url-status=live}}
- 18 April – Ernest Henry Woollacott (born 1888), minister, social welfare analyst and temperance advocate{{Australian Dictionary of Biography|first=Judith |last= Raftery |year= |id2= woollacott-ernest-henry-12072 |title= Woollacott, Ernest Henry (1888–1977) |accessdate=2012-02-18 }}
- 23 April – John McDonald (born 1898), Premier of Victoria (1950–1952){{cite news|author=|date=25 April 1977|title=Former Premier dies at 78|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-former-premier-dies-at-78/137402975|work=The Age|page=5|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226061852/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-age-former-premier-dies-at-78/137402975/|url-status=live}}
- 22 August – Rex Connor (born 1907), politician{{cite news|author=|date=23 August 1977|title=Big Rex Connor ignored all critics|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-big-rex-connor/137403031|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|page=9|location=|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226062101/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-big-rex-connor/137403031/|url-status=live}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Years in Australia}}
{{Oceania topic|1977 in|countries_only=yes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1977 in Australia}}