Beyond the Barbecue: The Bizarre and Forgotten History of January 26 in Australia
While Australia Day is widely associated with the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 and the ensuing debates about celebration and commemoration, the date of January 26 holds a far richer and more peculiar tapestry of events. Beyond the well-known historical milestones like the Rum Rebellion in 1808, the Waterloo Creek massacre in 1838, the Citizenship Act of 1949, the disappearance of the Beaumont Children in 1966, and the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972, lies a collection of curious, grim, and downright funny incidents that have marked this day throughout history.
From the first recorded European sighting of a koala in 1798 to modern-day oddities, January 26 has been a stage for the unexpected. Here, we delve into some of the most remarkable and lesser-known occurrences that have taken place on this date, offering a unique perspective on Australia's national day.
Early Colonial Curiosities
The colonial era set the tone for January 26's eccentric legacy. In 1793, convict Charles Grey earned the dubious honour of becoming Australia's first flasher, reportedly exhibiting himself to public view in Sydney. His punishment was exile to Norfolk Island, where authorities believed he would have fewer opportunities for such villainy.
The following year, in 1794, William Crozier's fate took a tragic turn. Branded a worthless vagabond, he stole a bag of unground wheat and fled into the woods. After consuming the wheat and water, the grains expanded in his stomach, causing him to crawl back to town in agony before succumbing to his fermented bowels.
19th Century Shenanigans
As the colony grew, so did the oddities. In 1831, John Adams placed a newspaper ad disavowing the debts of his estranged wife, Mary. Later, when Mary appeared in court for drunkenness, her behaviour was described as extravagant, featuring one-legged standing, nonsensical chatter, and sudden bursts of song.
By 1845, the residents of Maitland were determined to celebrate despite a hailstorm that shattered windows. Their festivities included climbing a greasy pole, dandy horse races, a jingling match, buffet the bear, bobbing for apples, a wheelbarrow race, and a pig race. The cricket match, however, was cancelled.
In 1847, the settlement of Gladstone experienced a bureaucratic farce. Founded on January 26, it was promptly unfounded after a letter from Earl Grey cancelled the instruction, only to be refounded seven years later.
Sporting and Social Oddities
Sporting events on January 26 often took unconventional forms. The 1870 Anniversary Day bicycle steeplechase in Redfern Park required competitors to race, dismount, throw their bikes over hurdles, and remount, all in muddy conditions. The race was taken so seriously that protests led to a re-run the following week.
In 1892, a small earthquake hit Launceston. The local priest later claimed he had prayed for it to awaken his parishioners to God's power, much to their dismay and the consternation of insurance agents who threatened to sue him for potentially conjuring disasters.
20th Century Eccentricities
The new century brought its own quirks. In 1909, Perth's telephone exchange faced criticism for being overwhelmed, with some blaming gossiping girls who monopolised the lines to chat with male friends during busy hours.
In 1954, an elephant named Topsy escaped a circus and ran into a church, frightening a pipe band and causing minor damage. Her trainer explained she disliked bagpipes, while the priest noted her good sense in seeking sanctuary.
A 1955 report from Coalcliff described a no-pants strike, where workers demanded to work naked due to the heat, costing the company £12,000 over six days.
Crime and Controversy
January 26 has also seen its share of criminal antics. In 1969, a man attempted to rob a Brisbane bank with a box of gelignite but lacked the knowledge to detonate it, causing only a small explosion when he dropped it during a chase.
Perhaps most infamous was the 1978 incident where Mark Chopper Read attempted to kidnap Judge Bill Martin at gunpoint in Melbourne's County Court. The judge escaped by kicking Read, who later apologised and received a 16-year sentence.
Modern Misadventures
In 2007, Toohey's beer faced backlash for an ad mocking whingeing Poms during the Ashes series, deemed to have crossed the line from playful rivalry to offence.
In 2015, Prime Minister Tony Abbott's captain's call to award Prince Philip an honorary knighthood sparked controversy and entered the lexicon as the Macquarie Dictionary's word of the year.
Annual Oddities and Traditions
Beyond one-off events, January 26 hosts peculiar annual traditions like the Sunshine Coast's Great Australian Dunny Race, the Story Bridge Hotel's cockroach race, Rockhampton's beard contest, the Yerong Creek dog high jump, and Wombat's tractor pull. Sadly, the Port Lincoln Tunarama festival, famous for its tuna toss, ended after 2023.
These incidents, among the 237 reasons highlighted in Matt Murphy's book Straya Day, reveal a side of January 26 that goes far beyond barbecues and protests. They remind us that history is not just about grand narratives but also about the strange, the silly, and the surprising moments that shape a nation's character.
