Cliveden: Melbourne’s Largest House
by Near the MCG, where the Pullman Hotel is today, used to stand ‘Cliveden’, Melbourne’s largest and most opulent house.
The Longest Winning Streak in VFL/AFL History
In 1953, Geelong set an Australian football record that still stands today: the longest winning streak in VFL/AFL history.
The First Recorded Solar Eclipse
The first recorded solar eclipse occurred in the ancient city of Ugarit, captured on a clay tablet 3 000 years ago.
The Invention of the Lamington
Australia’s most famous cake has a complex backstory, featuring a Scottish town, a French chef and a conservative Lord. This is: the invention of the Lamington.
The Worst Films Nominated for an Oscar
Lovesick robots, killer bees, a feminist cave woman, a thoughtful seagull, and a brace of unwanted sequels: here are the worst films nominated for an Oscar.
Taylor Swift’s First Tour of Australia
Taylor Swift’s first tour of Australia was her first outside of America; a one week run playing nightclubs, a ski resort and a benefit concert at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Last Australian Man to Win the Australian Open
Mark Edmonson is the last Australian man to win the Australian Open singles; he also set a tennis record that stands to this day.
The Real Squirrels in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
For his film version in 2005, Tim Burton deployed a surprising approach: real squirrels in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s nut room.
2024: What Happened 20, 50 and 100 Years Ago
Here are the biggest events from 20, 50 and 100 years ago.
The Sad Sheep Painting
The Sad Sheep Painting – aka: ‘Anguish’ – is one of the NGV’s most popular; a well-known work by a largely forgotten artist.