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Harold Holt was born
Harold Edward Holt was born to parents Thomas Holt and Olive Holt -
University of Melbourne
Holt first became interested in politics while studying Law and Politics at the University of Melbourne. -
Holt established a legal firm in Collins Street, Melbourne
Harold Holt bacame a lawyer and established a legal firm in Collins Street in partnership with Jack Graham. -
Nicholas Holt was born
Nicholas Holt was born to parents Harold Holt and Zara Bate. -
Twins Andrew and Sam Holt were born
Andrew and Sam Holt are born to parents Harold Holt and Zara Bate. -
Minister for Labour and National Services
As Minister for Labour and National Services, Holt introduced a national child endowment scheme for second and subsequeatnt children. -
Harold Holt married Zara Bate
Dame Zara Kate Bate was an Australian fashion designer who was best known as the wife of Harold Holt, the 17th Prime Minister of Australia. She grew up in Melbourne, attending Ruyton Girls' School and Toorak College. -
White Australia Policy changes from 1949-1966
The Menzies and Holt Governments effectively changed the White Australia policy between 1949 and 1966. This meant that over a thousand non-European immigrants were allowed to come into Australia every year. -
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War dominated Holt’s leadership. As the war dragged on, more people became opposed to Australia’s commitment to it, and to Holt’s government, which kept sending young men to Vietnam. -
Reserve Bank of Australia
Earlier in Holt's career as Treasurer, he established the Reserve Bank of Australia. The Reserve Bank helps to foster financial system stability and promotes the safety and efficiency of the Australian dollar. -
17th Prime Minister
After a record 16-year term, Sir Robert Menzies resigned and Harold Holt was sworn in as Prime Minister for Australia. -
Dollars and Cents
The Holt government changed Australia's currency. Pounds, shillings and pence were replaced with the new currency, dollars and cents which was originally Robert Menzies' idea. -
1967 Referendum
Australians voted in favour of changes to the Australian Constitution to improve the services available to Indigenous Australians. The changes focused on two sections of the Constitution, which discriminated against Aboriginals. -
Harold Holt sadly died
Harold Holt had only been Prime Minister for a year, when he disappeared while swimming at Cheviot Beach in Portsea on a family holiday.