24 July 2026
► EVENTS on 24 JULY;
On this day in 1911 in London, England – Australian Prime Minister Andrew Fisher warned the British Government that Australia would not necessarily take part in any war in which Britain may become involved. (????)
1915, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. – 844 passengers and crew perished when the passenger ship S.S. Eastland capsized while docked in the Chicago River. This remains the largest death toll from a single shipwreck on the American Great Lakes. The vessel was salvaged and sold to the United States Navy, which converted it into a gunboat.
1943, Operation Gomorrah began with English and Canadian aircraft bombing the city by night, and American aircraft by day. By the end of November of that year, 9,000 tons of explosives had killed over 30,000 people and destroyed 280,000 buildings.
1965, New Norfolk, Tasmania – The largest fire in the town for years destroyed a shoe store and a butcher’s shop in High Street.
1969 The Apollo 11 astronauts returned from the first Moon landing and were placed in isolation for several days in case they brought back lunar bacteria. It was later determined that the airless lunar environment precludes development of microscopic life.
► ARRIVALS ON THIS DATE
Amelia Earhart, was born this day in 1897 in Atchison, Kansas, U.S.A.
She was an aviation pioneer and author who received the Distinguished Flying Cross medal after becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared over the Pacific Ocean, whilst attempting the first equatorial round-the-world flight in 1937. Although no trace has been found of them or their aircraft, they were declared dead on 5 January, 1939.
Sheila Florance, was born this day in 1916 in St Kilda, Melbourne. She was a theatre, film and television actress, who had roles in many Australian productions, including Bellbird, Prisoner, and Mad Max. She died in 1991.
► DEPARTURES ON THIS DATE
1980, Peter Sellers, in London, England, aged 54. He was a British comedian and actor known for his appearances in the movies The Man Who Never Was, The Pink Panther, Casino Royale and A Shot In The Dark, amongst others.
Today’s photo: South-West Tasmania. Photo: Par Avion https://www.paravion.com.au/
Today’s Playlist –
| TRACK | RELEASE YEAR | PLAY TIME | LAST PLAYED |
| Muriel O’Connor & Fran Curry – The Old Dungarvan Oak | 2026 | 09:05 | 12/7/2026 |
| Braddie Music (The Charlesys) – Get the Stretcher Out | 2026 | 09:11 | 17/7/2026 |
| Hillsome South – Sea Of Heartbreak | 2026 | 09:15 | 19/7/2026 |
| Diamond 45s – Charting on this day 1966 + Hollies – Bus Stop | 1966 | 09:20 | 28/10/2016 |
| + Georgie Fame – Getaway | 1966 | 09:24 | 26/6/2026 |
| Roger Nicholas Chorale – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart | 09:29 | 5/12/2025 | |
| Richard Clayderman – On The Street Where You Live | 09:34 | 16/9/2018 | |
| Zither Jackson – Looking Out My Window | 2026 | 09:38 | – |
| Colin Kenny – Grandmother’s Prayer | 2021 | 09:42 | 19/6/2026 |
| For a Listener Val Doonican – Try To Remember | 09:48 | 30/12/2022 | |
| Behind the Sea – Jamaican Vacation | 2026 | 09:52 | – |
| John Williamson – Raining On The Rock | 09:55 | 21/6/2026 | |
| Ray Malcolm – I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine | 2026 | 10:05 | 19/7/2026 |
| Declan & Marleen – Slowly but Surely | 2026 | 10:10 | 12/7/2026 |
| For a Listener Seekers – Colours Of My Life | 1968 | 10:14 | 9/7/2023 |
| Vintage Vinyl + Hilltoppers – Only You | 1955 | 10:17 | – |
| + Roger Williams – Autumn Leaves | 1955 | 10:20 | 28/2/2016 |
| Warren Kearney – Lay Down Beside Me | 2026 | 10:24 | 19/7/2026 |
| Heintje – Wenn Du Einmal Gerbertstag Hast | 10:28 | 25/9/2015 | |
| Johnny Harris & His Orchestra – The Day I Met Marie | 10:32 | 3/5/2024 | |
| Alistair Fingleton – Nobody’s Darlin’ | 10:35 | 26/6/2026 | |
| Peter Sellers & Sophia Loren – Bangers And Mash Peter Sellers, died on this day in 1980 in London, England, aged 54 | 1961 | 10:41 | 8/9/2019 |
| 70s GEM +Terry Jacks – Seasons In The Sun | 1974 | 10:45 | 15/6/2025 |
| +Blue Swede – Hooked On A Feeling | 1974 | 10:49 | 15/6/2025 |
| For a Listener Bee Gees – Don’t Forget To Remember | 10:54 | 22/3/2024 | |
| Rob E G- 55 Days at Peking | 1963 | 10:58 | 1/9/2023 |
| Kathy Carver – Queen Of The Rocking Chair | 2026 | 11:05 | – |
| Gary Anderson – Remember When | 2026 | 11:10 | 19/7/2026 |
| COMFORT ZONE + Al Martino – What Now My Love | 11:19 | 23/1/2026 | |
| + Jack Jones – Somewhere My Love | 11:22 | – | |
| Buddy Bregman Orchestra – Anything Goes | 2025 | 11:27 | 21/11/2025 |
| Jimmy Shand & His Band – The Northern Lights of Aberdeen | 11:33 | 30/3/2025 | |
| Diamond 45s – Charting on this day 1966 + Matt Monro – Born Free | 1966 | 11:37 | 3/1/2025 |
| + Johnny Young – Step Back | 1966 | 11:40 | 30/7/2021 |
| William Alexander – I Still Hold Your Love Dear | 2025 | 11:44 | – |
| Engelbert Humperdinck – Up Up And Away | 11:47 | 12/1/2024 | |
| Alan Caswell & Lindsay Waddington – Living My Life On The Rails | 2026 | 11:51 | 17/7/2026 |
| John Denver – I’ve Been Working On The Railroad | 11:54 | 24/11/2025 |