SBS50: Fast Facts

Did you know that, in 2015, SBS Radio was recognised for “40 years of building multicultural Australia” at the NSW Premier's Multicultural Media Awards? Speaking at the event, NSW Premier Mike Baird said, “By celebrating our differences and similarities, we can grow to understand each other better and strengthen our identity as Australians." Three SBS Radio broadcasters were winners on the night, taking out for Best Feature, Best Report and Best Investigative Story.

Did you know that, in 2016, ride-sharing services including Uber became legal in Queensland, with 200 cab drivers and their supporters rallying outside the State Parliament in protest?

Did you know, in 2017, One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson wore a burqa to question time? She entered the Senate Chamber wearing an Islamic veil ahead of her planned motion to call for the Federal Government to ban the burqa. The stunt was labelled offensive, intolerant, and divisive, and drew audible opposition from crossbenches and Hanson’s motion would later be defeated within one hour.

Did you know, in 2018, the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century was visible across Australia? The total eclipse lasted for one hour, 42 minutes and 57 seconds.

Did you know, in 2019, climbing Uluru was permanently banned? The Anangu (ara-ahng-oo) people, Uluru’s traditional owners, fought for the closure of the climb arguing that Uluru should be preserved and protected as a sacred site, and not treated as a tourist attraction. The last permitted climber descended Uluru on Saturday the 26th of October 2019.

Did you know, in 2020, General Motors announced the retirement of Holden? Holden was founded 160 years previously in Adelaide, and had stopped manufacturing cars in 2017, but it was in 2020 that General Motors axed the Iconic Australian brand altogether.

Did you know, in 2021, Victoria was shaken by one of its largest recorded earthquakes? The 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit in September, and it was felt as far away as Sydney and Canberra and was followed by ten smaller aftershocks.

Did you know, in 2022, the Australian government purchased the copyright to the Aboriginal Flag? The copyright to the flag’s design was transferred from its author, Harold Thomas, to the Commonwealth. This permitted for the flag to be freely available for reproduction by the public.

Did you know, 2023 was the year the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 was no longer a Public Health Emergency?

Did you know that 2024 was the biggest election year in human history? Half of the world’s population, around four billion people, headed to the polls in 72 countries. These included the United States, India, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.