The following lists events that happened during 1951 in Australia. Incumbents Monarch – George VI Governor-General – (Sir) William McKell Prime Minister – Robert Menzies Chief Justice – Sir John Latham State Premiers Premier of New South Wales – James McGirr Premier of Queensland – Ned Hanlon Premier of South Australia – Thomas Playford IV Premier of Tasmania – Robert Cosgrove Premier of Victoria – John McDonald Premier of Western Australia – Ross McLarty State Governors Governor of New South Wales – Sir John Northcott Governor of Queensland – Sir John Lavarack Governor of South Australia – Sir Charles Norrie Governor of Tasmania – Sir Hugh Binney (until 8 May), then Sir Ronald Cross, 1st Baronet (from 22 August) Governor of Victoria – Sir Dallas Brooks Governor of Western Australia – Sir James Mitchell (until 1 July), then Sir Charles Gairdner (from 6 November) Events 1 January – The 50th anniversary of Australian federation is celebrated. 19 February – Jean Lee becomes the last woman to be hanged in Australia, when she, Robert Clayton and Norman Andrews are executed in Melbourne for the murder of a 73-year-old man. 1 March – The Bank of Australasia merges with the Union Bank of Australia to form the ANZ Bank. 9 March – The High Court of Australia rules in the case Australian Communist Party v Commonwealth that the Communist Party Dissolution Bill 1950, passed by the parliament to ban the Communist Party of Australia, was unconstitutional. 19 March – The Governor-General, William McKell, issues a double dissolution of parliament for the second time in its history, citing the Senate's referral of the Commonwealth Bank Bill as a "failure to pass" the bill. 12 April – Conscription begins as the first call-up notice is issued under the National Service Act (1951), requiring Australian 18-year-old males to undergo compulsory military training. 28 April – A federal election is held. The Liberal government of Robert Menzies retains power. 8 June – The first lessons of the School of the Air are broadcast from the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Adelaide. 16 August – The Australian Financial Review is first published. 1 September – The Anzus Treaty, between Australia, New Zealand and the United States, is signed. 9 September – Australia signs the Treaty of San Francisco, formalising peace with Japan. 22 September – A federal referendum is held, proposing to alter the Australian Constitution to