What Was 1961 Like in Australia?

If you were born in 1961, you arrived in an Australia that was still very much Menzies country — and Menzies had been running things since 1949 with the reassuring manner of a benevolent headmaster.

Read the full story of 1961 →

Life in Australia in 1961

Prime Minister

Robert Menzies

Monarch

Queen Elizabeth II

Petrol (per litre)

$0.05

Loaf of Bread

$0.13

Average House

$6,300

Weekly Wage

$17.00

Or

Browse by Year

The 1940s
1940194119421943194419451946194719481949
The 1950s
1950195119521953195419551956195719581959
The 1960s
1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
The 1970s
1970197119721973197419751976197719781979
The 1980s
1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
The 1990s
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
The 2000s
2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
The 2010s
2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
The 2020s
20202021202220232024

Famous Birthdays

Kylie Minogue28 May 1968SingerView their day →Hugh Jackman12 October 1968ActorView their day →Russell Crowe7 April 1964ActorView their day →Cate Blanchett14 May 1969ActressView their day →Nicole Kidman20 June 1967ActressView their day →Steve Irwin22 February 1962Wildlife conservationistView their day →Naomi Watts28 September 1968ActressView their day →Geoffrey Rush6 July 1951ActorView their day →

About The Day You Were Born

Ever wondered what was happening in the world when you took your first breath? Our birthday lookup tool reveals the fascinating history of your special day.