This Day in Australian History - 2nd September

1818 - On September 2, 1818, John Oxley's exploration party reached and crossed a river to which he gave the name Peel River in honour of Sir Robert Peel. The Crossing place was about five miles downstream from the site now occupied by Tamworth. Oxely had made European discovery on August 31 of another river, now known as the Mooki or Conadilly. Oxley gave it the name of Field's River.

1823 - Captain H. J. Rous (later Admiral Rous) returned to Sydney after a cruise to the north along the coast, during which he discovered the estuaries of the Richmond and Clarence Rivers, but not the rivers.

1824 - Moreton Bay Settlement founded by Lieutenant Oxley.

1836 - John Gregg is hanged at Sydney for highway robbery in the Penrith district.

1840 - Eyre names Mt Hopeless in South Australia in despair at the seemingly never-ending salt lakes.

1849 - A small Wesleyan church was opened at Woodville with service conducted by Rev. S. Wilkinson, of Maitland. The land was donated by Dr. Scott.

1853 - The 40th Regiment is ordered to Bendigo goldfields.

1860 - The ship British Merchant was on fire at Smith's Wharf, Sydney, and was towed to Cremorne, where it was scuttled and sunk. In 1869 the hull was raised to the surface.

1860 - HIS Excellency the Governor-in-Chief distributed medals received from Her Majesty's Government and the Shipwrecked Mariners' Benevolent Society to the men who distinguished themselves in saving the survivors of the wrecked Admella.

1860 -  The Adelaide banks decided to discontinue the recently adopted practice of allowing interest on current accounts.

1885 - Women's Christian Temperance Union is established in Brisbane.

1899 - Federation is approved by referendum in Queensland.

1903 - Cyclonic storm hits the eastern suburbs of Brisbane.

1920 - Waterside workers throughout Australia decided they would not work except between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

1922 - Henry Lawson died on September 2, 1922.

1952 - Sir William Slim is appointed Governor General of Australia.

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Sources:

1. Anniversaries To-Day (1935, September 2). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), p. 6.
2. To-Day's Anniversaries (1930, September 2). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), p. 8. 
3. On this day (1965, September 2). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 2. 
4. Looking Back (1940, September 2). News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), p. 4. 
5. This Day in History
6. www.onthisday.com (Australia)