The following lists events that happened during 1856 in Australia. Incumbents Governors Governors of the Australian colonies: Governor of New South Wales – Sir William Denison Governor of South Australia – Sir Richard MacDonnell Governor of Tasmania – Sir Henry Young Governor of Victoria – Sir Henry Barkly Governor of Western Australia as a Crown Colony – Sir Arthur Kennedy. Premiers Premiers of the Australian colonies: Premier of New South Wales – Stuart Donaldson from 6 June to 25 August then Charles Cowper to 2 October then Henry Parker Premier of Queensland – office not created until 1859 Premier of South Australia – Boyle Travers Finniss from 24 October Premier of Tasmania – William Champ from 1 November Premier of Victoria – Dr William Haines Premier of Western Australia – office not created until 1890 Events 6 January – French musician and composer Nicolas-Charles Bochsa dies in Sydney. 7 February – Tasmanian Electoral Act introduced the secret ballot, which was known elsewhere, in particular in the United States as the "Australian ballot" 19 March – The Electoral Act 1856 introduced the secret ballot in Victoria 2 April – South Australia introduced the secret ballot 11 April – At a public meeting in Melbourne, Dr Thomas Embling repeated the slogan "eight hours labour, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest". 22 May – First Parliament of New South Wales opened by the governor, Sir William Denison 24 June – Queen Victoria makes Norfolk Island a separate settlement from Tasmania to be administered by the Governor of New South Wales. 23 September – The town of Perth, Western Australia, is proclaimed a City by letters patent from Queen Victoria. 25 November – The first Parliament of Victoria is officially opened by the Acting Governor Edward Macarthur. Exploration and settlement 1 January – The name Tasmania officially adopted to replace Van Diemen's Land which was felt to have too many convict connotations. 8 June – Pitcairn Islanders arrived on Norfolk Island; the last convict had left and the island was no longer a penal colony. Queen Victoria granted the island to the Pitcairners as a home. Bounty Day is celebrated each year in Norfolk Island to commemorate the event. Suburb of Goodna founded in Queensland, Australia – Originally part of NSW, its 150-year anniversary was celebrated in 2006. Births 25 January – Sir John Hoad, 4th Chief of the General Staff (d. 1911) 8