31st of July

1865

• The first narrow-gauge mainline railway in the world opened in Grandchester, Queensland on the 31st of July 1865. The line ran for about 35 kilometers, to Ipswich in South-East Qld.

1902

• 96 Miners were killed after an explosion in the Mt Kembla coal mine on July 31, 1902.

1912

• Test cricketer Bill Brown (William Alred Brown OAM) was born on this day in 1912 in Toowoomba, Queensland. Bill played 22 tests for Australia and 189 first-class matches. He had a test average of 46.82 and a top score of 206 not out.

1948

• Musician Russell Morris (AM) was born on the 31st of July, 1948.

1951

• Former World number 1 tennis player Evonne Goolagong Cawley was born in Griffith, New South Wales, on the 31st of July 1951. Evonne won 82 singles titles and both singles and doubles titles at the Australian and French Opens and Wimbledon.

1953

• The 46th Premier of Victoria, Ted Baillieu, was born in Melbourne, Victoria on this day in 1951. He was Premier of Victoria from 2nd of December 2010 to the 6th of March 2013.

1959

• Vocalist and bass player with the band Spy vs Spy, Craig Bloxom was born on the 31st of July 1959 in Inglewood, Los Angeles, USA.

1965

• Australian and New South Wales representative Rugby League player Ian Roberts was born in London, England on the 31st of July 1965. Roberts played 213 first grade games, 9 for New South Wales and 13 for Australia.
• The single “I Told The Brook” by Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs went to number 1 on this day in 1965.

1968

• The 29th Premier of Queensland, Jack Pizzey, passed away on this day in 1968 aged 57. He was Premier from the 17th of January 1968 to the 31st of July 1968.

1973

• Rugby League player and coach Nathan Brown was born on this day in 1973 in Maclean, New South Wales. Brown played 172 games for St George/ St George Illawarra.
• Mississippi played at Devonport High School, Tasmania on this day in 1973.

1989

The top 10 singles on the national chart for the 31st of July 1989:

1. The Look, Roxette
2. You Got It, New Kids On The Block
3. Wind Beneath My Wings, Bette Middler
4. Batdance, Prince
5. Bedroom Eyes, Kate Ceberano
6. Eternal Flame, The Bangles
7. Express Yourself, Madonna
8. Baby I Don’t Care, Transvision Vamp
9. If You Don’t Know Me By Now, Simply Red
10. Say Goodbye, Indecent Obsession