The following lists events that happened during 1897 in Australia. Incumbents Premiers Premier of New South Wales - George Reid Premier of South Australia - Charles Kingston Premier of Queensland - Hugh Nelson Premier of Tasmania - Edward Braddon Premier of Western Australia - John Forrest Premier of Victoria - George Turner Governors Governor of New South Wales – Henry Brand, 2nd Viscount Hampden Governor of Queensland – Charles Cochrane-Baillie, 2nd Baron Lamington Governor of South Australia – Sir Thomas Buxton, 3rd Baronet Governor of Tasmania – Jenico Preston, 14th Viscount Gormanston Governor of Victoria – Thomas Brassey, 1st Earl Brassey Governor of Western Australia – Gerard Smith Events 7 January - Darwin has its highest ever daily rainfall with 296.1 millimetres from its most severe cyclone until Tracy. 22 June - The second Victoria Bridge is opened in Brisbane by the Governor of Queensland, Lord Lamington. The previous bridge was destroyed by floodwaters 27 October - St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne is consecrated Arts and literature Walter Withers wins the inaugural Wynne Prize for landscape painting or figure sculpture for his landscape The Storm Queensland Braille Writing Association was formed in Brisbane - later became Braille House Sport 4 September - Essendon wins the first Victorian Football League premiership. 8 October - The Australasian Athletic Union is established in Sydney. Gaulus wins the Melbourne Cup New South Wales wins the Sheffield Shield Births 10 February - Judith Anderson (died 1992), actress 6 July - Frank Walsh (died 1968), Premier of South Australia 9 July - Enid Lyons (died 1981), politician 28 July - James Fairbairn (died 1940), politician 6 August - William Slim (died 1970), Governor General of Australia 5 October - Percy Spender (died 1985), politician and diplomat 7 October - Charles Chauvel (died 1959), film maker Deaths 11 June - Henry Ayers (born 1821), Premier of South Australia 11 July - Patrick Jennings (born 1831), Premier of New South Wales 15 August - Lily Poulett-Harris (born 1873), founder of women's cricket in Australia 15 November - Alfred Kennerley (born 1810), Premier of Tasmania 20 November - Ernest Giles (born 1835), explorer References Australia Years of the 19th century in Australia