The following lists events that happened during 1911 in Australia. Incumbents Monarch – George V Governor-General – William Ward, 2nd Earl of Dudley (until 31 July), then Thomas Denman, 3rd Baron Denman Prime Minister – Andrew Fisher Chief Justice – Samuel Griffith State premiers Premier of New South Wales – James McGowen Premier of Queensland – William Kidston (until 7 February), then Digby Denham Premier of South Australia – John Verran Premier of Tasmania – Elliott Lewis Premier of Victoria – John Murray Premier of Western Australia – Frank Wilson (until 7 October), then John Scaddan State governors Governor of New South Wales – Frederic Thesiger, 3rd Baron Chelmsford Governor of South Australia – Admiral Sir Day Bosanquet Governor of Queensland – Sir William MacGregor Governor of Tasmania – Major General Sir Harry Barron Governor of Western Australia – Sir Gerald Strickland Governor of Victoria – Sir Thomas Gibson-Carmichael Events The Australian Capital Territory is established through the Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1910. 1 January – The Northern Territory is politically separated from South Australia and transferred to Commonwealth control. The city of Palmerston is renamed Darwin in honour of Charles Darwin. 1 January – Compulsory military training comes into effect in Australia. 23 March – The steamer SS Yongala sinks in a cyclone off the coast of Townsville, Queensland killing 122 people. 3 April - 1911 Australian census was the first national population census. The day used for the census, was taken for the night between 2 and 3 April 1911. The total population of the Commonwealth of Australia was counted as 4,455,005. 26 April – A federal referendum is held containing two questions: one on Trade and Commerce and the other on Nationalisation of Monopolies. Neither is carried. 30 May – The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory is established. 1 June – The University of Queensland opens. 10 July – King George V grants the title of Royal Australian Navy to Australia's naval forces. 27 June – The Royal Military College, Duntroon opens. 3 October – A state election is held in Western Australia. The Labor Party led by John Scaddan defeats the incumbent government of Frank Wilson. 2 December – The Australasian Antarctic Expedition, led by Douglas Mawson, leaves Hobart to begin an expedition to Antarctica. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is established by the Commonwealth Bank Act 1911. 18 December - The Marburg railway