over 12,3 kilometres. 2 April – The National Soccer League kicks off, as the first league of any football code to become national. The opening game sees West Adelaide defeat Canberra City 3–1 at Manuka Oval in Canberra. 7 May - Hawthorn set two VFL records when they kick 41 behinds and have a total of 66 scoring shots against St Kilda. These totals remain six ahead of the second-most behinds and scoring shots. 6 August – Robert Wallace wins the men's national marathon title, clocking 2:20:11.2 in Cressy, Tasmania. England defeat a weakened Australia team 3–0 in The Ashes test series 17 September - St. George and minor premiers Parramatta play a 9–9 draw after 100 minutes in the NSWRL Grand Final. It is the first Grand Final to be tied after 100 minutes including extra time. Newtown finish in last position, claiming their second straight wooden spoon. 24 September St. George thrash Parramatta 22–0 in the Grand Final replay North Melbourne and Collingwood play only the second VFL Grand Final draw in history. 1 October - North Melbourne defeat Collingwood in the Grand Final replay 2 October – In motor racing Ford team-mates Allan Moffat and Colin Bond finish side by side to complete a 1–2 Formation Finish at the Bathurst 1000. Gold and Black wins the Melbourne Cup Western Australia wins the Sheffield Shield Kialoa II wins the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Births 1 January – Craig Reucassel, comedian and television host 2 January – Jai Rowell, politician 6 January – Shane Rigon, rugby league player 17 January – Leigh Whannell, actor, filmmaker 8 February – Barry Hall, footballer 14 February – Cadel Evans, cyclist 14 February- Jim Jefferies, comedian 21 February – Ben Ikin, rugby league player 24 February – Jason Akermanis, Australian Rules footballer 25 February – Joanne Banning, field hockey striker 1 March – Fiona Scott, politician 15 March – Adrian Burnside, baseball player 24 March – Darren Lockyer, Rugby league footballer 31 March – Garth Tander, racing driver 12 April – Sarah Monahan, actress 6 May – Chantelle Newbery, Olympic champion diver 10 May – Chas Licciardello, comedian 14 May – Ada Nicodemou, actress 24 May – Katie Noonan, new age musician/soprano (george) 7 June – Preston Campbell, rugby league player 11 June – Geoff Ogilvy, golfer 20 June – Aaron Moule, rugby league player 6 July – Con Blatsis, Australian footballer