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As Chris Alford creeps closer to reaching the historic mark of 8000 career wins, it feels timely to look back on the world in 1984 when the reinsman won his first race at Wangaratta with Spring Vance…
Medicare is rolled out, making it easier for all Australians to have a new, simpler and fairer health insurance system according to prime minister Bob Hawke. The one-dollar coin also makes its way into circulation.
A few more gold coins in the pocket could have bought you a house. The average home cost just over $64,000 and the average income was a touch over $19,000.
A jar of Vegemite was the first product to be electronically scanned through a checkout and “Advance Australia Fair” is proclaimed as Australia’s national anthem.
Abroad, everybody was calling “Ghostbusters” as the cult classic hit cinemas. Kevin Bacon was also on everybody’s minds as “Footloose” got everybody dancing in the aisles.
“Amadeus” cleaned up at the Oscars for director Milos Forman, taking home eight awards including best picture.
Prince had made his mark on the world with film and album “Purple Rain”, which saw him turn into a cultural icon.
At the Grammys, it was all about Michael Jackson. He took home a record eight awards including Album of the Year for “Thriller”. The “King of Pop” attended the award show while recovering from scalp burns sustained during the filming of a Pepsi commercial.
Los Angeles hosted the Olympics with the infamous jetpack man opening the games. For the green and gold, it wasn’t a memorable time to look back on with only four gold medals.
Carl Lewis became a household name winning the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay for the USA.
A bit closer to home, Essendon won the AFL grand final while the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs were NRL premiers.
Performers Scarlett Johansson and Katy Perry both entered the world while American novelist Truman Capote departed.
