2017 is an exciting year for Australian Hearing as it marks 70 years since we were established. But what else was going on in Australia then to make us who we are today? Let’s take a look at seven of the great Aussie events of 1947…
Sing a song of sixpence, the Four’n Twenty pie
What footie match is complete without a good Aussie pie? Iconic brand Four’n Twenty had humble beginnings in a small bakery in Bendigo back in 1947 when Mr LT McClure began baking ‘the most delicious pies in Bendigo’. Word spread and soon orders were being taken from all over Australia. From 50 pies a day back then, the Four’n Twenty factory now produces up to a whopping 22,000 pies per hour. Whether they’re keeping our hands warm at the footie or our tummies full at home, we Australians have been blessed with 70 years of indulging in a good old Four’n Twenty Aussie meat pie.
The first all-Australian Holden
1947 saw iconic car maker Holden achieve its long-term goal – to manufacture the first all-Australian motor vehicle, a prototype for what hit the shelves the following year as the 48-215, now referred to as the FX or Holden Humpty.
Designed specifically for the Australian environment, the FX was a sturdy family sedan which cost $733, the equivalent of 94 weeks’ wages for the average worker at the time. Despite the hefty price tag, demand was high which heralded the beginning of decades of sales leadership for Holden, and the birth of an Aussie icon.
Bradman hit his 100th first class century
November 1947 saw our most revered batsman Don Bradman become the first Australian to hit 100 first class centuries. At the SCG Bradman faced the Indian team – on their first Test tour of Australia – as spectators looked on anxiously in the anticipation that they could that day witness a historic cricket milestone. After two hours and 12 minutes of batting and on 99 runs, Bradman hit a single. The adoring crowd erupted. And in the true spirit of cricket, both the Australian and Indian teams came together to celebrate this remarkable achievement.
David Jones brought Paris Chic to Sydney
1947 was a turning point in fashion for Australians. Brightening the post-war period, David Jones brought the fun and glamour of Paris catwalks to Sydney with a series of fashion parades from designers including Pierre Balmain, founder of French fashion house, Balmain. Hot on the heels of Balmain, Christian Dior brought his famous ‘New Look’ to Australia, the first time he’d ever shown outside of Paris.
Woomera Rocket Range launched
Following World War 2, Britain was looking for a large remote area to test weapons, resulting in a landmark joint project with Australia. In 1947 an area covering 122,188km squared in the South Australian outback became ‘Woomera’, the largest weapons testing range in the world.
Fast forward 70 years and Woomera remains in near constant use, but not only by the military. NASA and Germany have launched space rockets there, Japanese space probe Hayabusa landed there, it’s been involved in tracking planetary spacecraft and it’s earmarked as a launch site for satellites.
Golden Circle cannery opened
Love a slice of pineapple and beetroot on your Aussie burger? Then you’ve undoubtedly tried some of Golden Circle’s produce. They opened their first cannery in 1947 in Northgate, QLD, initially producing around 40,000 tonnes of canned pineapple per year, then growing to include other produce. The same cannery still exists but on a much larger scale, churning out 150,000 tonnes of canned fruit, vegetables, fruit juices and cordials annually.
The Eagle landed
On 18 November 1947, one of Australia’s most loved rock musicians was born in Melbourne. Ross Wilson, who brought us hits such as Hi Honey Ho, Teenage Blues and everyone’s favourite Eagle Rock, performed in a number of bands as well as enjoying a successful solo career. He was individually inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association in 1986 and again in 2006 as a member of Daddy Cool. A national treasure, at 70 years old Wilson continues to delight fans with gigs all over Australia, and shows no sign of slowing down.
So, it seems 1947 was an eventful year for post-war Australia, from significant historical milestones and sporting triumphs, to the birth of some true blue Aussie icons and anthems. Who knows how 2017 will shape our great nation 70 years from now?