to 12 February – The 1938 British Empire Games are held in Sydney. Australia leads the medal tally at the games, winning 25 gold medals, 19 silver and 22 bronze. 20 August – At Royal Park, Melbourne, the Australia national netball team defeated New Zealand 40–11. This was the first netball Test between Australia and New Zealand. 2 September – Canterbury-Bankstown defeat Eastern Suburbs 19 to 6 in the grand final, becoming premiers of the 1938 NSWRFL season. St. George finish in last place, claiming the wooden spoon. 1 November – Catalogue wins the Melbourne Cup. Births 3 January – Alan Ramsey, journalist (died 2020) 12 January Lewis Fiander, actor (died 2016) Noel McNamara, crime victims supporter 13 January – Daevid Allen, musician (Soft Machine) (died 2015) 17 January – David Theile, backstroke swimmer 21 January – Steve Dunleavy, journalist (died 2019) 21 February – John Harvey, racing driver (died 2020) 25 February – Herb Elliott, athlete 28 February – Dennis Olsen, pianist, actor and director 1 March – Henry Reynolds, historian 5 March – Mike Walsh, television presenter 19 March – John Winneke, judge (died 2019) 25 March – Anthony Carwardine, naval officer 20 April – Betty Cuthbert, athlete (died 2017) 29 April – Jim Lenehan, rugby union player (died 2022) 5 June – Roy Higgins, jockey (died 2014) 18 June – Kevin Murray, Australian rules footballer (Fitzroy) 19 June – Ian Smith, actor and screenwriter 20 June – Joan Kirner, Premier of Victoria (1990–1992) (died 2015) 23 June – John Gerovich, Australian rules footballer 25 June – Mick Allen, rower (died 2021) 27 June – Bob Baxt, lawyer (died 2018) 28 June – Sergio Silvagni, Australian rules footballer (died 2021) 8 July – Paul Cronin, television and film actor (died 2019) 13 July – Ian Macphee, politician, Minister for Immigration 15 July – Carmen Callil, publisher (died 2022) 16 July – Colin Rice, Australian rules footballer 23 July – Bert Newton, entertainer (died 2021) 28 July – Robert Hughes, art critic (died 2012) 9 August – Rod Laver, tennis player 22 August – Roger Gyles, lawyer and judge 30 August – Murray Gleeson, High Court judge 2 September – Ernie Sigley, entertainer (died 2021) 8 October – Fred Stolle, tennis player 17 October – Les Murray, poet (died 2019) 30 October – Morris Lurie, writer (died 2014) 8 November – Bob Skilton, Australian rules footballer (South Melbourne) 26