This text delves into several notable events that occurred in 1966 in Australia, including the abrupt shift to decimal currency, a daring prison escape, and the incredible survival story of a paraglider caught in a violent storm. It also touches upon the enduring tradition of Valentine's Day and its connection to love and romance.
The year 1966 marked a significant change in Australia's currency system as decimalisation took effect. Coins in circulation included halfpennies, pennies, threepence, sixpence, a shilling, a florin, and a crown. However, this transition came as a complete surprise to bank robber John Killick, who targeted a Sydney ANZ bank that very morning. Killick was perplexed when the tellers refused to exchange his demands for pounds, instead offering him unfamiliar dollars.
This unexpected encounter with the new currency system highlighted the sudden nature of the changeover for many Australians.Killick's life took a dramatic turn in 1999 when he became one of Australia's most notorious prisoners. His notoriety stemmed from a daring escape from Silverwater Correctional Centre in Sydney, where he was aided by fellow inmate, Dudko. Dudko orchestrated a scheme that allowed Killick to make his highly publicized escape. Both Dudko and Killick were eventually released, with Dudko in 2006 and Killick in 2015.Another remarkable event that unfolded in 1966 was the survival of German paraglider Ewa Wisnierska. On February 14, 2007, while soaring over Manilla in northern New South Wales, Wisnierska was caught in a massive storm system. The storm dragged her to an astonishing altitude of 9900 meters, exceeding even the height of Mount Everest. This extreme exposure to the elements caused oxygen deprivation, leading to Wisnierska flying unconscious for an hour. Despite facing lightning strikes, hail, and freezing temperatures of -40 degrees, she miraculously survived. Reflecting on her miraculous experience, Wisnierska acknowledged the slim chances of survival, stating, 'From the theory, I knew the chances to survive are almost zero, I knew I can only have luck, I can't do anything - and I got it.'While 1966 marked a period of change and extraordinary events in Australia, it also coincided with the commemoration of St Valentine's Day, a day celebrated as a symbol of love. The death of Christian martyr St Valentine on February 14, 269 AD, is traditionally remembered as a day of courtly love. According to legend, Valentine was a Roman priest who defied the authorities by performing secret weddings during the third century.
AUSTRALIA CURRENCY CHANGE DECIMALISATION PRISON ESCAPE PARAGLIDING SURVIVAL STORM ST VALENTINE's DAY LOVE
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