With today marking the 40th anniversary of one of Australia’s darkest days – the Granville train disaster – we reflect on some of the biggest news stories that rocked the city of Sydney in its recent history. As the saying goes, if we do not learn from the past then we are doomed to repeat it.
There were more than just a handful of candidates to make this list, but in the end we had to draw the line on what we thought were the stories that truly affected the population of Sydney. If you think there are stories that are worth reflecting on, add your thoughts to the comments section below. Here they are, in no particular order:
Jul 4, 1991 – Victor Chang murder
The pioneer of heart transplantation met a violent end at the hands of two Malaysians attempting to extort Chang for $3m. Chang was shot twice in the head when he refused; the second shot killing him instantly. Chew Seng (Ah Sung) Liew and Choon Tee (Phillip) Lim were both convicted of the murder and served lengthy jail terms before being deported to Malaysia in 2012 and 2010 respectively.
Aug 17, 1991 – The “Strathfield Massace”
It’s credited alongside Port Arthur as being the catalyst for the national changes to gun ownership laws in the 90s, but that tragic afternoon in Strathfield rarely gets anywhere the same levels of attention. It’s not fully understood why Wade Frankum decided to unleash hell in Strathfield Plaza, but on that day he killed 8 and injured 6 more with his Chinese-made SKK semi-automatic rifle, including himself.
Feb 13, 1978 – The Hilton Hotel bombing
The first major act of terrorism on Australia’s soil remains a mystery to this day, obfuscated by decades of speculation and conspiracy theories. On that day in 1978, a bomb hidden in a garbage bin exploded as it was emptied into the back of a garbage truck, killing three people outside the Hilton Hotel in Sydney, where inside some of the most powerful world leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Regional Meeting. In the years and decades to come, the question of who was behind the bombing would continue to captivate the nation and remains unsolved.
Sep 2, 1984 – The “Milperra Massacre”
Seven people including an innocent bystander were killed when two bikie gangs – the Comancheros and the Bandidos – clashed at the Viking Tavern. Tensions supposedly arose after the Comancheros president was allegedly found in bed with a Bandidos member’s wife, though police believe drugs and turf were also at the core of the violence.
The massacre led to an amendment to the NSW Firearms and Dangerous Weapons Act 1973 to require "a good reason for the issue of a [firearm] licence".
Dec 11, 2005 – Cronulla riots
Growing tensions along Cronulla’s beaches escalated after an altercation took place between volunteer surf lifesavers and a group of young Lebanese men. One week later, as many as 5500 people gathered near Cronulla beach, initially peacefully, but as the effects of alcohol took hold an angry mob then began to assault people of middle-eastern appearance in unprovoked attacks. Retaliation attacks were ignited that evening, with convoys of cars full of Lebanese men travelling from Sydney’s south-west to Maroubra and the Sutherland Shire to engage in acts of vandalism and to assault those in their way. Tensions continued in the coming days, though violence died down due to increased police presence.
Jun 9, 1979 – Luna Park fire
A fire in the ghost train attraction at Sydney’s Luna Park claimed the lives of six children and one adult in Australia’s worst amusement park disaster. While electrical faults were originally blamed for the fire, the true cause remains a mystery – some even claiming arson. The park was forced to close down in the aftermath, later reopening as Harbourside Amusement Park in 1892 before again resuming the Luna Park name following a series of legal disputes and closures.
Feb 2, 1986 – Anita Cobby murder
The murder of 26-year-old Sydney nurse Anita Cobby made national headlines and remains a major case in Australia’s criminal history. While working home from Blacktown train station, Anita Cobby was kidnapped by 5 men who proceeded to sexually assault and murder her before dumping her body on a rural property in Prospect. The men were successfully convicted after a hidden recording device was used to obtain a confession, the tape of which was released on a TV special during the 30th anniversary.
Dec 15, 2014 – Lindt Cafe siege
Eighteen hostages were taken by lone gunman Man Haron Monis on the morning of December 15, 2015; two of them would not make it out of the sixteen-hour siege at the Lindt Cafe alive. Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson, in addition to Monis, were casualties of the incident that appeared to be tied to ISIL though Monis’ motivations continue to be questioned. Police were criticised for their handling of the siege, particularly in relation to the lack of negotiating that took place. In the aftermath, Sydney’s Martin Place was filled with flowers and wreaths that are to be used in a permanent memorial.
Jan 18, 1977 – Granville train disaster
It has been dubbed the “darkest day in Australia’s railway history”. On January 18, 1977, a crowded train derailed and crashed into the Bold Street bridge at Granville. The Sydney-bound train had departed from Mount Victoria station in the Blue Mountains. In total, 83 people were killed and more than 200 injured in the disaster.
Today, January 18, a memorial service will be held in Granville to mark 40 years since the incident.