Lexi Webster
1997 was an eventful year for Australia, with notable occurrences across sports, entertainment, and social issues. In the world of sports, Pat Rafter claimed Australia's first grand slam tournament title since 1987, while Cathy Freeman made history as the first Australian woman to win a title at the World Athletics Championships. The Brisbane Broncos dominated the rugby league, claiming victory in the Super League and defeating the Auckland Warriors. Social issues came to the forefront as a 14-year-old gay student announced his intention to sue his former school for failing to provide a safe environment, prompting media attention and discussions on LGBTQ+ rights in schools. On the entertainment front, Australian television welcomed new shows like Hey Arnold! and Arthur, while South Park debuted as SBS's highest-rating series. Music-wise, Doctor Jones topped the charts, enjoying an extended reign at the number one spot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 27 February 1997 |
| Event | First day of the Australian Track & Field Championships for the 1996–1997 season |
| Location | Olympic Park in Melbourne, Victoria |
| Sports | Rugby, Basketball, Swimming |
| Television | Wheel of Fortune, Heartbreak High, Bananas in Pyjamas, Mr. Bean, Burgo's Catch Phrase, Kingswood Country, Bullpitt!, Neighbours, Everybody Loves Raymond, Judge Judy |
| Film | The Pelican Brief, In the Line of Fire, Forrest Gump |
| Politics | Prime Minister John Howard, Governor-General Sir William Deane, New South Wales Premier Bob Carr, Queensland Premier Rob Borbidge |
| Law | Charter of Budget Honesty Act |
| Social Issues | Homophobia in schools, Indigenous health, Drought |
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What You'll Learn
Sport: Rugby league, basketball, and athletics
Rugby league, basketball, and athletics are three popular sports in Australia. The country has a rich sporting history and a strong sporting culture, with many Australians participating in sports as both players and spectators.
Rugby League
Rugby league is one of the most popular sports in Australia, particularly in the northeast of the country. While it is typically played in winter, the sport has a passionate following year-round.
Basketball
Basketball is another sport that has gained immense popularity in Australia, especially in Victoria and Melbourne. The country has produced some of the world's greatest basketball players, such as Lauren Jackson, who began her journey at a young age and represented Australia in the 1997 World Junior Championships, winning a silver medal.
The 1997 FIBA 22 & Under World Championship, hosted in Melbourne, is a testament to Australia's basketball prowess. Led by Chris Anstey and Sam Mackinnon, the Australian men's basketball team, also known as the Emus, secured the gold medal. They faced formidable opponents, including future NBA and EuroLeague stars, making their victory even more remarkable.
Athletics
Athletics, including track and field events, is also widely enjoyed in Australia. The 1996-97 Australian Athletics Championships, held in Melbourne, served as a selection event for the 1997 World Championships in Athletics. This national championship showcased the talent and competitiveness of Australian athletes in various disciplines.
Overall, rugby league, basketball, and athletics have all been part of the diverse and vibrant sporting landscape in Australia, with each sport attracting participants, fans, and contributing to the country's rich athletic heritage.
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TV: 'South Park', 'Wheel of Fortune', 'Arthur'
In 1997, Australians were tuning in to a variety of TV shows, including the animated comedy "South Park", the long-running game show "Wheel of Fortune", and the children's show "Arthur".
"South Park" debuted on 13 August 1997, and immediately became a huge success, consistently earning the highest ratings of any basic cable program. The show follows the misadventures of a group of elementary school children and their families in the small, dysfunctional, Colorado town of the show's title. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the show is known for its crude humour and satirical, and often outrageous, take on society and current affairs. The show has featured a number of celebrities, including George Clooney, who provided the barks for Stan's dog Sparky in the season one (1997) episode "Big Gay Al's Big Gay Boat Ride".
"Wheel of Fortune" was also a popular show in Australia in 1997. It is a game show that follows a similar format to the original American version. In 1997, the show underwent some changes, including the introduction of a new host, Rob Elliott, and a new Bonus wedge, which was added to the wheel at the start of the second round. The show offered a range of prizes, including CDs, concert tickets, and small electronics.
"Arthur", a children's show about an aardvark named Arthur Read and his friends, was also likely popular with Australian kids in 1997. Arthur navigates school, bullies, and family with his friends Francine, Buster, and Muffy. The show is based on the book series by Marc Brown.
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Music: 'Doctor Jones'
In 1997, the Australian music scene was buzzing with a variety of popular songs and artists. One notable song that made an impact that year was "Doctor Jones" by the Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group Aqua. "Doctor Jones" was released in December 1997 in Australia, following the success of their previous single, "Barbie Girl".
"Doctor Jones" became an instant hit in Australia, peaking at No. 1 for seven consecutive weeks. The song showcased the group's signature vocal interplay between René Dif's gruff vocals and Lene's higher-pitched dance vocals. The accompanying music video, directed by Peder Pedersen, drew inspiration from the Indiana Jones film series, with Dif playing the titular character and rescuing his band members from a voodoo tribe. The video featured a similar cinematic style to "Barbie Girl", including a shot of an airplane's flight path over a map, reminiscent of the Indiana Jones films.
"Doctor Jones" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its catchy melody, vocal harmonies, and up-tempo pace. It was described as "perfect pop" by Music Week, and The Quietus' Nick Reed highlighted its bouncy melody lines and awesome call-and-response bit. The song's commercial success extended beyond Australia, reaching No. 1 in Ireland, Italy, and the United Kingdom. It also charted in multiple European countries and received gold and platinum certifications in several regions, including a triple platinum record in Australia.
"Doctor Jones" built upon Aqua's growing success and solidified their presence in the music industry, showcasing their ability to create catchy and memorable pop songs that resonated with audiences worldwide. The song's enduring popularity and impact on the Australian music scene in 1997 contributed to its recognition as a standout track of that year.
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Film: 'The Pelican Brief'
In 1997, Australia was witnessing several notable occurrences across various domains. In sports, the Australian Track & Field Championships for the 1996–1997 season commenced on 27 February, with the men's 5,000-metre event taking place earlier on 20 February. On 1 March, the Australian Super League competition began with two matches, including the Brisbane Broncos' victory over the Auckland Warriors.
The year also saw significant political developments, including the referral of travel rort allegations against Senator Mal Colston, which led to his standing down as Deputy President of the Senate. Pauline Hanson launched the One Nation party in Ipswich, Queensland, on 11 April.
In entertainment, the film "The Pelican Brief" premiered on Australian television. The 1993 American legal thriller, directed by Alan J. Pakula, is based on the novel by John Grisham. The film stars Julia Roberts as Tulane University law student Darby Shaw and Denzel Washington as Washington Herald reporter Gray Grantham.
In the movie, Darby Shaw writes a legal brief about the assassination of two Supreme Court justices, which leads to her becoming a target. She goes into hiding and collaborates with Grantham to expose a conspiracy involving senior government figures and oil tycoon Victor Mattiece, who intends to drill for oil in a protected Louisiana marshland. The film features music by James Horner and was Pakula's last work as a writer and director before his death in 1998.
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Social issues: Homophobic vilification, indigenous health
In 1997, Australia grappled with social issues such as homophobic vilification and the widening gap in health between indigenous and non-indigenous communities.
Homophobic Vilification
In 1997, a 14-year-old gay high school student made headlines by announcing his intention to sue Cranebrook High School for failing to provide a safe environment, alleging that he was subjected to ongoing homophobic vilification. This case brought attention to the issue of homophobic vilification in Australia and the need to ensure the safety of gay students in schools. Homophobic vilification refers to any public act that threatens or incites violence towards someone based on their sexual orientation.
Indigenous Health
Also in 1997, Governor-General Sir William Deane highlighted the growing disparity in health outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. This disparity was partly due to the historical trauma experienced by indigenous communities. Between 1910 and 1972, thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families, which had long-lasting impacts on their health and wellbeing.
To address these issues, the Commonwealth Government presented the Native Title Amendment Bill 1997, which proposed changes to the Native Title Act. The House of Representatives initiated an Inquiry into Indigenous Health, and the National Aboriginal Health Strategy was launched. Additionally, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander coordinated care trials took place between 1997 and 1999 in various communities, aiming to improve primary healthcare services for Indigenous Australians.
The Bringing them Home report (HREOC 1997) shed light on the impact of forced removals, estimating that between 1 in 10 and 1 in 3 First Nations children were affected during that period. Life expectancy for First Nations people in 2020-2022 was estimated to be 71.9 years for males and 75.6 years for females, with those in remote areas having lower life expectancies.
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Frequently asked questions
In 1997, Australian TV shows such as 'Wheel of Fortune' and ''Heartbreak High' were airing. Additionally, the American animated comedy series 'South Park' premiered on SBS and became the network's highest-rated series at the time. Another American show, 'Hey Arnold!', also made its debut on ABC.
Rugby league was the country's sport in Australia in the 1990s, with events like the Super League competition and the NSWRL/ARL premiership. Additionally, basketball was popular among kids, who collected basketball cards. In terms of individual athletes, swimmer Scott Miller and runner Cathy Freeman made headlines in 1997.
One significant social issue that made headlines in 1997 was a lawsuit filed by a 14-year-old gay high school student against his former school, Cranebrook High School, for failing to provide a safe environment, alleging homophobic vilification. This case prompted much commentary in the media and brought attention to the issue of LGBT+ rights and the safety of gay students in Australian schools.
