1950 to 1955 By rawlicious Feb 8, 1950 Petrol rationing ends Apr 5, 1950 Sydney: Actor Chips Rafferty announces the formation of a company to make films in Australia Apr 27, 1950 Canberra: Menzies introduces legislation to outlaw the Communist Party Jun 26, 1950 Western Australia: 28 people die in an ANA Skymaster aircraft crash Western Australia: 28 people die in an ANA Skymaster aircraft crash in Australia's worst air disaster at York, southeast of Perth Jul 26, 1950 Australian troops to be sent to the Korean War Oct 24, 1950 Commonwealth police raid Communist Party Dec 11, 1950 Melbourne: Prostitute Jean Lee to hang at Pentridge with 2 of her pimps after being convicted of the killing of SP bookmaker Mar 9, 1951 Communist Party ban declared unconstitutional Jun 4, 1951 Melbourne: The latest women's fashions are short dresses with full skirts over stiff petticoats Jun 8, 1951 Alice Springs: Official opening of School of the Air Sep 9, 1951 canberra: Prime Minister Menzies gives report to cabinet on known and suspected communists in the public service Nov 30, 1951 Sister Elizabeth Kenny, infantile paralysis (polio) therapist, dies Dec 30, 1951 Adelaide: Australia retains the Davis Cup after defeating the US May 7, 1952 sydney: 10 killed and 137 injured in train crash at Berala Oct 31, 1952 Joan Sutherland makes her debut with the Royal Opera Company at Covent Garden with a small role in The Magic Flute Jul 27, 1953 Korean War end after 3 years. Australian casualties number 258 killed in action, 977 wounded and 4 missing, presumed killed Oct 15, 1953 Britain explodes the first of 2 atomic bombs at Woomera, Dec 4, 1953 Oil is discovered in the Exmouth Gulf off the coast of WA Feb 3, 1954 Queen Elizabeth II arrives with Prince Philip for Royal Tour Feb 13, 1954 Australian flag is raised at the new Mawson base in Princess Elizabeth Land in Antarctica, making it the world's most southern human settlement Jun 21, 1954 Finland: John Landy runs mile in world record time of 3 mins 58 secs at Turku Feb 1, 1955 NSW hotels stay open until 10pm. NSW is the 4th Australian state to adopt extended hours. Dec 19, 1955 Melbourne: Barry Humphries' character Edna Everage makes her stage debut