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Michael J Murphy
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Australia II wins the America’s Cup: ending the longest winning-streak in sporting history
The win by Australia II in the 1983 America's Cup ended the 132-year dominance of the New York Yacht Club.

Michael Murphy
Nov 26, 20256 min read


Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day: at the 11th hour on the 11th day, of the 11th month, people all over the world pause to honour those men and women who have died or suffered while serving their country.

Michael Murphy
Nov 11, 20253 min read


Slums and Poverty: A look at inner-Sydney housing from the 1850s to the 1890s
There is a ten by twelve-foot dwelling with little ventilation. It is split into two rooms and houses a family of eight. The stained...

Michael Murphy
Jul 20, 202511 min read


US Presidential visits to Australia
In 1966, Lyndon B. Johnson was the first United States President to visit Australia.

Michael Murphy
Feb 12, 202511 min read


The Australian 'bush' and national identity
From the nineteenth century Australian writers and artists looked towards the Australian bush to help create a national identity.

Michael Murphy
Nov 7, 202412 min read


Compulsory voting in Australia
Compulsory voting divides opinion; does it promote, or restrict an individuals rights? It has proven successful in Australia.

Michael Murphy
Jun 10, 20245 min read


Anzac Day: A Commemoration
Anzac Day is commemorative day that is attended in ever-increasing numbers.

Michael Murphy
Mar 4, 20246 min read


Exile and Punishment: A Brief History of the Moreton Bay Penal Colony
Moreton Bay penal colony (1824-1939) was designed to alienate and punish convicts.

Georgia Murphy
Jan 4, 20248 min read


Executed for the most heinous of crimes: Myall Creek Murderers hanged 18 December, 1838.
On 10 June , 1838, at least 28 Indigenous men, women and chidren were bound together and led away to be murdered at Myall Creek in...

Michael Murphy
Dec 17, 20236 min read


Eureka Stockade: beginning of Australian democracy, or localised riot?
At dawn on 3 December 1854 government soldiers stormed a barricade erected at Ballarat by miners of the Victorian goldfields. In a very...

Michael Murphy
Dec 3, 20235 min read


A Living Hell: Surgeon Superintendents Changed Convict Transportation to Australia.
The decision by the British Government in 1786 to establish a convict settlement in New South Wales initiated a series of voyages that...

Michael Murphy
Nov 20, 20237 min read


The Second World War and Australian National Identity
Australia’s memory of World War II has played a large role in the nations sense of identity. After 3 September 1939, Australia was once...

Michael Murphy
Nov 13, 20239 min read


Remembrance Day, 2023
Remembrance Day has its own unique place on the calendar. It is a time to quietly pay tribute to those who have died or suffered serving...

Michael Murphy
Nov 9, 20232 min read


Welcome to my blog
Welcome to my new blog that will focus on Australian history and world events that are directly linked to it. I hope it will be a...

Michael Murphy
Nov 9, 20231 min read
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