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Fred Hollows
April 22nd 2009 04:55
Professor Fred Hollows was an eye doctor (opthalmologist).
In his lifetime Fred gave thousands of people, all over the world, their eyesight back.
Fred Hollows was born in New Zealand in 1929. His family was religious, and Fred thought he'd like to be a missionary, but he changed his mind after doing some work at a mental hospital.
Fred decided to become a doctor and eventually specialise in eye surgery.
In 1960, Fred got a job in Australia. Five years later he was head of the Eye Department at a Sydney hospital.
Fred always believed strongly in equality for all people. He was told about the need for Aboriginal health services in Sydney. He took up the cause, and helped set up the first Aboriginal Medical Service. There are now more than 60 across Australia.
One thing really shocked Fred. He discovered that almost all Aboriginal people in outback communities had eye diseases. Diseases caused by dirty conditions and poor health. Problems that could be easily avoided.
In the 1970's, he helped launch a national program to attack eye disease in Aboriginal Australians.
Fred was great at inspiring people. He got doctors to give their time to the program. Many other people volunteered.
In three years the team travelled all over outback Australia. It treated 30,000 people, performed a thousand operations and prescribed more than 10,000 pairs of glasses.
Fred Hollows became to be known as the 'wild colonial boy' of Australian surgery, partly because he had a deep love of the bush, and also because he had a wild temper.
Fred believed in helping people to help themselves. He had no time for anyone who stood between him and his goals.
"When I've seen an opportunity I haven't sat down and called a committee meeting...we've gone and done it."
But Fred didn't think enough was being done for Aboriginal health. He was very outspoken on this issue.
"It is appalling. It is much worse than white health was in the worst times of the depression. It is appalling by third world standards."
Fred could be very gruff when things weren't going as he thought they should and this made him some enemies. But his family and friends loved Fred deeply.
"I admire him, I enjoy his company, I respect him. I find him an inspiring character...can't help myself," Peter Corris, a friend, stated.
"He livens up anybody...whether it be just walking into a room...everybody knows when Fred's arrived...he has this very large presence," Gabi Hollows said
By 1980, Fred was travelling all over the world to help set up eye health programs in developing countries.
He heard about a war in Eritrea in Africa and how doctors there were trying to get training in eye surgery.
"Each year in Africa about two and a half million people go blind...and they just go blind...they sit around in their huts."
This became Fred's passion. He wanted to help the Eritreans build their own eye lens factory. He asked Australians to support his dream. They donated more than 6 million dollars.
"I don't know if you can see that lens sitting on my right knee...that costs at least 140 dollars Australian. Hopefully, in Africa,it will be able to be produced for in the order of a few dollars."
But by 1989 Fred Hollows knew he wouldn't live to see all his ideas happen. He was dying of cancer.
It didn't slow him down...and instead of getting miserable Fred thought himself lucky.
"I have been lucky in that I've been alive at times when the things that I wanted to do were capable of being done."
In 1993, Fred died at home surrounded by his friends, his wife Gabi and their five children.
"We have a lot of lovely memories of him and I think we're very lucky that we've got those to fall back on," Gabi Hollows said.
Gabi Hollows is continuing Fred's work. Eye lens factories have been set up in Eritrea and other developing countries giving sight back to thousands of people.
In his lifetime Fred gave thousands of people, all over the world, their eyesight back.
Fred Hollows was born in New Zealand in 1929. His family was religious, and Fred thought he'd like to be a missionary, but he changed his mind after doing some work at a mental hospital.
Fred decided to become a doctor and eventually specialise in eye surgery.
In 1960, Fred got a job in Australia. Five years later he was head of the Eye Department at a Sydney hospital.
Fred always believed strongly in equality for all people. He was told about the need for Aboriginal health services in Sydney. He took up the cause, and helped set up the first Aboriginal Medical Service. There are now more than 60 across Australia.
One thing really shocked Fred. He discovered that almost all Aboriginal people in outback communities had eye diseases. Diseases caused by dirty conditions and poor health. Problems that could be easily avoided.
In the 1970's, he helped launch a national program to attack eye disease in Aboriginal Australians.
Fred was great at inspiring people. He got doctors to give their time to the program. Many other people volunteered.
In three years the team travelled all over outback Australia. It treated 30,000 people, performed a thousand operations and prescribed more than 10,000 pairs of glasses.
Fred Hollows became to be known as the 'wild colonial boy' of Australian surgery, partly because he had a deep love of the bush, and also because he had a wild temper.
Fred believed in helping people to help themselves. He had no time for anyone who stood between him and his goals.
"When I've seen an opportunity I haven't sat down and called a committee meeting...we've gone and done it."
But Fred didn't think enough was being done for Aboriginal health. He was very outspoken on this issue.
"It is appalling. It is much worse than white health was in the worst times of the depression. It is appalling by third world standards."
Fred could be very gruff when things weren't going as he thought they should and this made him some enemies. But his family and friends loved Fred deeply.
"I admire him, I enjoy his company, I respect him. I find him an inspiring character...can't help myself," Peter Corris, a friend, stated.
"He livens up anybody...whether it be just walking into a room...everybody knows when Fred's arrived...he has this very large presence," Gabi Hollows said
By 1980, Fred was travelling all over the world to help set up eye health programs in developing countries.
He heard about a war in Eritrea in Africa and how doctors there were trying to get training in eye surgery.
"Each year in Africa about two and a half million people go blind...and they just go blind...they sit around in their huts."
This became Fred's passion. He wanted to help the Eritreans build their own eye lens factory. He asked Australians to support his dream. They donated more than 6 million dollars.
"I don't know if you can see that lens sitting on my right knee...that costs at least 140 dollars Australian. Hopefully, in Africa,it will be able to be produced for in the order of a few dollars."
But by 1989 Fred Hollows knew he wouldn't live to see all his ideas happen. He was dying of cancer.
It didn't slow him down...and instead of getting miserable Fred thought himself lucky.
"I have been lucky in that I've been alive at times when the things that I wanted to do were capable of being done."
In 1993, Fred died at home surrounded by his friends, his wife Gabi and their five children.
"We have a lot of lovely memories of him and I think we're very lucky that we've got those to fall back on," Gabi Hollows said.
Gabi Hollows is continuing Fred's work. Eye lens factories have been set up in Eritrea and other developing countries giving sight back to thousands of people.
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Posted By: Craig Hill - Category: No Category
Nancy Bird-Walton
January 13th 2009 07:43
Australian aviation pioneer Nancy Bird Walton died today at her Sydney home, aged 93. Named a Living National Treasure by the National Trust of Australia in 1997, she was one of Australia's aviation pioneers, and the first female pilot in the Commonwealth to carry passengers.
A love of life above the clouds, took Nancy around the world, fulfilling dreams that began in childhood.
Born in Sydney in 1915, Nancy wanted to fly almost as soon as she could walk. "I had this reputation of climbing fences and trees and calling myself an eppy plane. You know, jumping off fences and waving my arms."
Nancy left school early to work in her father's general store in the country. "With my hard-won savings I bought myself a leather coat, helmet and goggles, because I was going to learn to fly."
Nancy was thirteen years old when she flew for the first time while at an air pageant. She paid the pilot a bit extra to do some aerobatics! "My sister said I came down a little green - but on the other hand it became the ruling passion of my life."
Five years later that passion drove Nancy to take flying lessons, and not with any old instructor. Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, the first man to fly across the mid-Pacific, had just opened a pilots' school near Sydney, and Nancy was among his first pupils. She was so tiny she needed cushions to reach the controls!
Most women learnt to fly for fun, but Nancy planned to fly for a living. "When I got my licence, I had to think about doing something with it."
Having a commercial license meant Nancy could carry passengers, but she needed wings. Family members came to the rescue, and bought Nancy her first plane, a Gypsy Moth.
Nancy and a friend soon took off on a barnstorming tour, dropping in on country fairs and giving joy rides. It was the first time some people had seen a plane, let alone a female pilot. "They didn't intend to go up. That was my job, or Peggy's job, to persuade them to go up."
While touring, Nancy met Reverend Stanley Drummond. He wanted her to help set up a flying medical service in outback New South Wales. Nancy bought a better-equipped plane, and began covering territory not yet reached by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It was rewarding but lonely work.
"One of the things that came into one's mind was the fear of being lost and never being found. You would have perished before being found in the summertime in that country."
In 1936, Nancy entered an air race from Adelaide to Brisbane, and won the Ladies' Trophy. "It was a wonderful opportunity for me to come from that back country and meet other flying people. You see, I was isolated out there. Nobody even spoke the same language."
After working in the outback for more than four years, Nancy knew she needed a break from flying. When a Dutch airline company invited her to do some promotional work in Europe, she accepted.
World War Two broke out soon after Nancy's return to Australia. She began training women in skills needed to back-up the men flying in the Australian Airforce.
In 1950, she founded the "Australian Women's Pilots' Association". Eight years later Nancy decided she wanted to fly again. Nancy was back in the pilot's seat after a twenty year absence.
Her entry in a famous all-women race in America, called the Powder Puff Derby, made headlines. It was the first time a woman from overseas had competed.
Throughout her life Nancy has supported charities, and people in need. This generous spirit earned her the Order of the British Empire in 1966. Ms Walton became a Dame of the Knights of Malta in 1977 and in 1990 was awarded an AO by the Australian government.
Although she's never crashed a plane Nancy admits flying, especially in those early days, was risky. Taking risks, says this adventurer, opens up opportunities.
She was also Commandant of the Women's Air Training Corps from 1940-45, the founder and longtime president of the Australian Women's Pilot Association and Emeritus Patron of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
In October last year, she attended the inaugural Australian landing of Qantas' first super passenger jet the A380, named the Nancy Bird Walton in her honour.
"There's a wonderful quotation 'whatever you can do or dream, begin it'."
A love of life above the clouds, took Nancy around the world, fulfilling dreams that began in childhood.
Born in Sydney in 1915, Nancy wanted to fly almost as soon as she could walk. "I had this reputation of climbing fences and trees and calling myself an eppy plane. You know, jumping off fences and waving my arms."
Nancy left school early to work in her father's general store in the country. "With my hard-won savings I bought myself a leather coat, helmet and goggles, because I was going to learn to fly."
Nancy was thirteen years old when she flew for the first time while at an air pageant. She paid the pilot a bit extra to do some aerobatics! "My sister said I came down a little green - but on the other hand it became the ruling passion of my life."
Five years later that passion drove Nancy to take flying lessons, and not with any old instructor. Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, the first man to fly across the mid-Pacific, had just opened a pilots' school near Sydney, and Nancy was among his first pupils. She was so tiny she needed cushions to reach the controls!
Most women learnt to fly for fun, but Nancy planned to fly for a living. "When I got my licence, I had to think about doing something with it."
Having a commercial license meant Nancy could carry passengers, but she needed wings. Family members came to the rescue, and bought Nancy her first plane, a Gypsy Moth.
Nancy and a friend soon took off on a barnstorming tour, dropping in on country fairs and giving joy rides. It was the first time some people had seen a plane, let alone a female pilot. "They didn't intend to go up. That was my job, or Peggy's job, to persuade them to go up."
While touring, Nancy met Reverend Stanley Drummond. He wanted her to help set up a flying medical service in outback New South Wales. Nancy bought a better-equipped plane, and began covering territory not yet reached by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It was rewarding but lonely work.
"One of the things that came into one's mind was the fear of being lost and never being found. You would have perished before being found in the summertime in that country."
In 1936, Nancy entered an air race from Adelaide to Brisbane, and won the Ladies' Trophy. "It was a wonderful opportunity for me to come from that back country and meet other flying people. You see, I was isolated out there. Nobody even spoke the same language."
After working in the outback for more than four years, Nancy knew she needed a break from flying. When a Dutch airline company invited her to do some promotional work in Europe, she accepted.
World War Two broke out soon after Nancy's return to Australia. She began training women in skills needed to back-up the men flying in the Australian Airforce.
In 1950, she founded the "Australian Women's Pilots' Association". Eight years later Nancy decided she wanted to fly again. Nancy was back in the pilot's seat after a twenty year absence.
Her entry in a famous all-women race in America, called the Powder Puff Derby, made headlines. It was the first time a woman from overseas had competed.
Throughout her life Nancy has supported charities, and people in need. This generous spirit earned her the Order of the British Empire in 1966. Ms Walton became a Dame of the Knights of Malta in 1977 and in 1990 was awarded an AO by the Australian government.
Although she's never crashed a plane Nancy admits flying, especially in those early days, was risky. Taking risks, says this adventurer, opens up opportunities.
She was also Commandant of the Women's Air Training Corps from 1940-45, the founder and longtime president of the Australian Women's Pilot Association and Emeritus Patron of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
In October last year, she attended the inaugural Australian landing of Qantas' first super passenger jet the A380, named the Nancy Bird Walton in her honour.
"There's a wonderful quotation 'whatever you can do or dream, begin it'."
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Posted By: Craig Hill - Category: No Category
Rolf Harris: Master Entertainer
November 29th 2008 02:17
Rolf Harris CBE, AM is almost unique among Australian entertainers, in that he excels in many different areas of the arts. A musician, singer, composer, TV host, sportsman and painter, he even painted an official portrait of the Queen.
Rolf was born on 30th March 1930 in the Perth suburb of Bassendean, in Western Australia to Welsh immigrants, Crom and Agnes Harris. He is also the nephew of Australian artist Pixie O'Harris. He was named after Rolf Boldrewood, an Australian writer that his mother admired.
As a young man, Rolf was also a champion swimmer, being Australian Junior 110 yards backstroke champion in 1946, and Western Australian state champion in a variety of strokes between 1948-1952.
He met his wife, the Welsh sculptress and jeweller Alwen Hughes while they were art students at the University of Western Australia, and they married in 1958. They have one daughter, the artist Bindi Harris, born in 1964.
Harris started on television in it's early years in Perth, with his rapid drawing style and flair for amusing entertainment. He moved to England as an art student at City and Guilds Arts School, Kennington, South London at the age of 22, notably illustrating Robert Harbin's Paper Magic (1956). He also had a few acting roles in British television programs and film as Harry in The Vise and as Pvt. Proudfoot in the 1955 film You Lucky People. Harris returned to Perth after art school and was involved in children's television shows. Some years later he returned to the United Kingdom to live. He has regularly returned to Perth over the years for family visits.
Harris has been credited with inventing a simple homemade instrument called the wobble board. This discovery was accidentally made in the course of his work when he attempted to dry a freshly painted hardboard with added heat, from hearing the sound made by the board as he held the board by the short edges to cool off. He suggests the effect can best be obtained through faint bouncing of a tempered hardboard or a thinner MDF board between the palms of one's hands.
"Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport"
In 1959 he worked on TVW-7's first locally produced show Spotlight. During his time at TVW he recorded his hit "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport". The song was recorded on a single microphone placed above him in the TV studio. The song was sent to record company EMI in Sydney and it was soon released as a record. Rolf Harris offered four unknown backing musicians 10 percent of the royalties for the song, but they decided to take a recording fee of 28 pounds between them because they thought the song would be a flop. The novelty song was originally titled "Kangalypso" and featured the distinctive sound of the "wobble board" which was played by "wobbling" it back and forth. The original recording of the song issued in Australia was considered controversial by some listeners because of the lyrics: "Let me abos go loose, Lew/ Let me abos go loose/ They're of no further use, Lew/ So let me abos go loose". The verse appears to refer to Aboriginal servitude and captivity in a whimsically approving manner. In addition, the word "abo" was beginning to be seen as a term of abuse at the time. Most of the rest of the song refers to animals in captivity. The offending verse did not feature in later versions of the song. In 2006 Harris expressed his regret about the original lyrics.
Harris sang "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" (with The Beatles singing backing vocals) in the first edition of the From Us to You BBC radio shows, in December, 1963. Harris completely customized the original lyrics to a version that was especially written for The Beatles:
"Cut yer hair once a year boys"
"Don't ill-treat me pet dingo, Ringo"
"George’s guitar's on the blink, I think"
"Prop me up by the wall, Paul"
"Keep the hits coming on, John"
Harris went on to use an array of unusual instruments in his music, including the didgeridoo (the sound of which was imitated on "Sun Arise" by four double basses), Jew's harp and, later, the stylophone. Harris has played the didgeridoo on two albums by English pop singer Kate Bush, 1982's The Dreaming and 2005's Aerial. Harris went on to create one of his most famous roles in the 1960s, Jake the Peg but his biggest hit was in 1969 with his rendering of the US Civil War song" Two Little Boys", written in 1902.
He also made several television appearances in which he would paint pictures on large boards in an apparently slapdash manner, with the odd nonsense song thrown in, but with detailed results. This was often accompanied by the phrase "Can you tell what is it yet?" just before the painting became recognisable. These appearances led to a string of TV series based on his artistic ability, notably Rolf Harris's Cartoon Time on BBC1 in the 1980s and Rolf's Cartoon Club on CITV in the early 1990s. He also hosted a successful variety TV series in Canada, which was a second home to Harris during the 1960s. In 1967 he hosted the BBC's A Song for Europe contest and provided UK commentary at that year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.
In 2002 his work was exhibited at London's National and in 2005 he was commissioned commissioned to paint a portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II for her 80th birthday, which was unveiled by Rolf Harris on 19 December 2005 at Buckingham Palace. The Queen expressed her approval at the painting after her final sitting, particularly with the way in which Harris had painted her smile. The story of the painting featured as a special edition of Rolf on Art. The special, called The Queen by Rolf, was broadcast on BBC One on 1 January 2006. Rolf Harris' grandfather painted a portrait of the Queen's grandfather, King George V (in which King George V was inspecting the troops).
In 2005, Rolf played the didgeridoo on Kate Bush's album Aerial, contributing vocals to the songs "An Architect's Dream" and "The Painter's Link". He also appears on the video to the lead single, "King of the Mountain", dancing with a white jumpsuit in a reference to Elvis Presley, one of the themes of the song.
At the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, he sang a special rendition of his hit song "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport", which included some lyrics especially written for the Opening Ceremony:
Let me welcome you to the Games, friends,
Welcome you to the Games
Look, I don't know all of your names, friends,
But let me welcome you to the Games.
Following his singing of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport", Harris sang "Waltzing Matilda". As well as a video tape recording of the Opening Ceremony being released, the music for the Opening Ceremony was released as an album and an audio tape, with Harris as one of the featured artists.
Harris' career received a boost in 1993 when his cover version of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" became a hit, singing the song in the style of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down". Harris also recorded a version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" around this time. He performed The Divinyls' "I Touch Myself" — accompanied only by his wobble board — for Andrew Denton's Musical Challenge on the MMM Breakfast Show.
Harris has also recorded an Australian Christmas song called "Six White Boomers", about a joey Kangaroo trying to find his mother during Christmas time, and how Santa Claus used six large-size male Kangaroos (Boomers), instead of Reindeer (to put an Australian spin on the traditional story) to pull his sleigh and help the little joey find his "Mummy".
In October 2008, Harris announced he would re-record his 1969 hit "Two Little Boys", backed by North Wales' Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir, to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Rolf was born on 30th March 1930 in the Perth suburb of Bassendean, in Western Australia to Welsh immigrants, Crom and Agnes Harris. He is also the nephew of Australian artist Pixie O'Harris. He was named after Rolf Boldrewood, an Australian writer that his mother admired.
As a young man, Rolf was also a champion swimmer, being Australian Junior 110 yards backstroke champion in 1946, and Western Australian state champion in a variety of strokes between 1948-1952.
He met his wife, the Welsh sculptress and jeweller Alwen Hughes while they were art students at the University of Western Australia, and they married in 1958. They have one daughter, the artist Bindi Harris, born in 1964.
Harris started on television in it's early years in Perth, with his rapid drawing style and flair for amusing entertainment. He moved to England as an art student at City and Guilds Arts School, Kennington, South London at the age of 22, notably illustrating Robert Harbin's Paper Magic (1956). He also had a few acting roles in British television programs and film as Harry in The Vise and as Pvt. Proudfoot in the 1955 film You Lucky People. Harris returned to Perth after art school and was involved in children's television shows. Some years later he returned to the United Kingdom to live. He has regularly returned to Perth over the years for family visits.
Harris has been credited with inventing a simple homemade instrument called the wobble board. This discovery was accidentally made in the course of his work when he attempted to dry a freshly painted hardboard with added heat, from hearing the sound made by the board as he held the board by the short edges to cool off. He suggests the effect can best be obtained through faint bouncing of a tempered hardboard or a thinner MDF board between the palms of one's hands.
"Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport"
In 1959 he worked on TVW-7's first locally produced show Spotlight. During his time at TVW he recorded his hit "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport". The song was recorded on a single microphone placed above him in the TV studio. The song was sent to record company EMI in Sydney and it was soon released as a record. Rolf Harris offered four unknown backing musicians 10 percent of the royalties for the song, but they decided to take a recording fee of 28 pounds between them because they thought the song would be a flop. The novelty song was originally titled "Kangalypso" and featured the distinctive sound of the "wobble board" which was played by "wobbling" it back and forth. The original recording of the song issued in Australia was considered controversial by some listeners because of the lyrics: "Let me abos go loose, Lew/ Let me abos go loose/ They're of no further use, Lew/ So let me abos go loose". The verse appears to refer to Aboriginal servitude and captivity in a whimsically approving manner. In addition, the word "abo" was beginning to be seen as a term of abuse at the time. Most of the rest of the song refers to animals in captivity. The offending verse did not feature in later versions of the song. In 2006 Harris expressed his regret about the original lyrics.
Harris sang "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" (with The Beatles singing backing vocals) in the first edition of the From Us to You BBC radio shows, in December, 1963. Harris completely customized the original lyrics to a version that was especially written for The Beatles:
"Cut yer hair once a year boys"
"Don't ill-treat me pet dingo, Ringo"
"George’s guitar's on the blink, I think"
"Prop me up by the wall, Paul"
"Keep the hits coming on, John"
Harris went on to use an array of unusual instruments in his music, including the didgeridoo (the sound of which was imitated on "Sun Arise" by four double basses), Jew's harp and, later, the stylophone. Harris has played the didgeridoo on two albums by English pop singer Kate Bush, 1982's The Dreaming and 2005's Aerial. Harris went on to create one of his most famous roles in the 1960s, Jake the Peg but his biggest hit was in 1969 with his rendering of the US Civil War song" Two Little Boys", written in 1902.
He also made several television appearances in which he would paint pictures on large boards in an apparently slapdash manner, with the odd nonsense song thrown in, but with detailed results. This was often accompanied by the phrase "Can you tell what is it yet?" just before the painting became recognisable. These appearances led to a string of TV series based on his artistic ability, notably Rolf Harris's Cartoon Time on BBC1 in the 1980s and Rolf's Cartoon Club on CITV in the early 1990s. He also hosted a successful variety TV series in Canada, which was a second home to Harris during the 1960s. In 1967 he hosted the BBC's A Song for Europe contest and provided UK commentary at that year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.
In 2002 his work was exhibited at London's National and in 2005 he was commissioned commissioned to paint a portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II for her 80th birthday, which was unveiled by Rolf Harris on 19 December 2005 at Buckingham Palace. The Queen expressed her approval at the painting after her final sitting, particularly with the way in which Harris had painted her smile. The story of the painting featured as a special edition of Rolf on Art. The special, called The Queen by Rolf, was broadcast on BBC One on 1 January 2006. Rolf Harris' grandfather painted a portrait of the Queen's grandfather, King George V (in which King George V was inspecting the troops).
In 2005, Rolf played the didgeridoo on Kate Bush's album Aerial, contributing vocals to the songs "An Architect's Dream" and "The Painter's Link". He also appears on the video to the lead single, "King of the Mountain", dancing with a white jumpsuit in a reference to Elvis Presley, one of the themes of the song.
At the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, he sang a special rendition of his hit song "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport", which included some lyrics especially written for the Opening Ceremony:
Let me welcome you to the Games, friends,
Welcome you to the Games
Look, I don't know all of your names, friends,
But let me welcome you to the Games.
Following his singing of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport", Harris sang "Waltzing Matilda". As well as a video tape recording of the Opening Ceremony being released, the music for the Opening Ceremony was released as an album and an audio tape, with Harris as one of the featured artists.
Harris' career received a boost in 1993 when his cover version of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" became a hit, singing the song in the style of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down". Harris also recorded a version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" around this time. He performed The Divinyls' "I Touch Myself" — accompanied only by his wobble board — for Andrew Denton's Musical Challenge on the MMM Breakfast Show.
Harris has also recorded an Australian Christmas song called "Six White Boomers", about a joey Kangaroo trying to find his mother during Christmas time, and how Santa Claus used six large-size male Kangaroos (Boomers), instead of Reindeer (to put an Australian spin on the traditional story) to pull his sleigh and help the little joey find his "Mummy".
In October 2008, Harris announced he would re-record his 1969 hit "Two Little Boys", backed by North Wales' Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir, to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I.
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Posted By: Craig Hill - Category: No Category
Sir Henry Parkes: Father of Federation
November 23rd 2008 02:25
Sir Henry Parkes is known in Australian history as the Father of Federation, following his famous 1889 Tenterfield speech. Sadly, having worked so tirelessly to make Australia independent from Britain, he died before the dream became reality.
Henry Parkes is considered one of the great men in forming Australia into the country it is today. In recognition, his picture was on the old Australian five dollar note for over twenty years. The town of Parkes in Central New South Wales is named in his honour.
Henry Parkes was born to a family of yeoman stock in Warwickshire on 27th May 1815. Unfortunately, falling wheat prices forced the family to leave the land and seek employment in Birmingham. In 1836 Parkes married Clarinda Varney and they applied for assisted passage to Australia, the death of two of their infant children and a failed business venture influencing their decision.
Arriving in Australia, he found work as a farm labourer, but low wages did not appeal! Renewing his old interest in politics, he went to work for the Customs Department in Sydney. Over the next few years he went into business for himself and at one stage owned the Empire newspaper. Through this period be became very influential and played a major role in the cessation of transportation of convicts to Australia. Going bankrupt he retired from the political arena, narrowly escaping fraud charges as his debts exceeded 48 500 pounds (approx. $100 000). He turned to his old friends and with their support was re-elected, becoming a strong supporter of land and educational reform, free trade and immigration. It needs to be pointed out that politicians were not pad for their role in this era of time in Australia.
All this time, Parkes left his wife and five children at Werrington (near Penrith). Mrs Parkes was often short of money and constantly besieged by creditors. The property was managed by an insolent and disobedient man and the property went down hill. She indicated her loneliness in a letter to her husband after the birth of their sixth child when she wrote, "I have received no congratulations". Parkes had ventured upon another business and once more shown his lack of acumen by going bankrupt again, this time losing his property lease.
Parkes introduced the Public Schools Act in 1866, giving power to train, appoint and dismiss teachers, the Hospital Act providing Government inspection, supervision and appointment of trained nurses to Hospitals. He was forced to resign because of insolvency. In 1871 he returned as the Member for Mudgee and so began the golden age of his political career. He was an able speaker, somewhat of an actor and his long white hair and flowing beard gave him an apostolic look. Parkes believed the voters should feel that you are the "Man of the Hour". During this period, he introduced the Public Instruction Act which abolished state aid for denominational schools (as a result NSW has been plagued by a two school system ever since).
Parkes' Ministry is best remembered for his fiery and impassioned support for the Federation of Australian Colonies, making his famous speech at the School of Arts, Tenterfield on 24 October 1889.
Parkes faced personal tragedy and more criticism after marrying Eleanor Dixon about a year (6 Feb 1889) after the death of Clarinda (2 Feb 1888). This marriage was never recognised by his family. Eleanor died in 1895, leaving Parkes with young children and in a declining mental and physical health. He then married Julia Lynch who nursed the old warrior until his death on 27 April 1896 at the age of 80 years and 11 months.
Sir Henry was typical of a wide range of 19th century politicians, but his very special ability to appreciate the importance of the action he was taking and his vision of a strong and united Australia certainly made the people believe that he was, indeed, "The Man of the Hour".
Henry Parkes is considered one of the great men in forming Australia into the country it is today. In recognition, his picture was on the old Australian five dollar note for over twenty years. The town of Parkes in Central New South Wales is named in his honour.
Henry Parkes was born to a family of yeoman stock in Warwickshire on 27th May 1815. Unfortunately, falling wheat prices forced the family to leave the land and seek employment in Birmingham. In 1836 Parkes married Clarinda Varney and they applied for assisted passage to Australia, the death of two of their infant children and a failed business venture influencing their decision.
Arriving in Australia, he found work as a farm labourer, but low wages did not appeal! Renewing his old interest in politics, he went to work for the Customs Department in Sydney. Over the next few years he went into business for himself and at one stage owned the Empire newspaper. Through this period be became very influential and played a major role in the cessation of transportation of convicts to Australia. Going bankrupt he retired from the political arena, narrowly escaping fraud charges as his debts exceeded 48 500 pounds (approx. $100 000). He turned to his old friends and with their support was re-elected, becoming a strong supporter of land and educational reform, free trade and immigration. It needs to be pointed out that politicians were not pad for their role in this era of time in Australia.
All this time, Parkes left his wife and five children at Werrington (near Penrith). Mrs Parkes was often short of money and constantly besieged by creditors. The property was managed by an insolent and disobedient man and the property went down hill. She indicated her loneliness in a letter to her husband after the birth of their sixth child when she wrote, "I have received no congratulations". Parkes had ventured upon another business and once more shown his lack of acumen by going bankrupt again, this time losing his property lease.
Parkes introduced the Public Schools Act in 1866, giving power to train, appoint and dismiss teachers, the Hospital Act providing Government inspection, supervision and appointment of trained nurses to Hospitals. He was forced to resign because of insolvency. In 1871 he returned as the Member for Mudgee and so began the golden age of his political career. He was an able speaker, somewhat of an actor and his long white hair and flowing beard gave him an apostolic look. Parkes believed the voters should feel that you are the "Man of the Hour". During this period, he introduced the Public Instruction Act which abolished state aid for denominational schools (as a result NSW has been plagued by a two school system ever since).
Parkes' Ministry is best remembered for his fiery and impassioned support for the Federation of Australian Colonies, making his famous speech at the School of Arts, Tenterfield on 24 October 1889.
Parkes faced personal tragedy and more criticism after marrying Eleanor Dixon about a year (6 Feb 1889) after the death of Clarinda (2 Feb 1888). This marriage was never recognised by his family. Eleanor died in 1895, leaving Parkes with young children and in a declining mental and physical health. He then married Julia Lynch who nursed the old warrior until his death on 27 April 1896 at the age of 80 years and 11 months.
Sir Henry was typical of a wide range of 19th century politicians, but his very special ability to appreciate the importance of the action he was taking and his vision of a strong and united Australia certainly made the people believe that he was, indeed, "The Man of the Hour".
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Posted By: Craig Hill - Category: No Category
Caroline Chisholm
November 22nd 2008 11:12
Caroline Chisholm was known as 'the emigrant's friend', having earned the title for her work with poor migrants to Australia in the 1800's. But despite all her work and her fame today, she died poor and forgotten after such an amazing life.
Caroline was one of Australia's most outstanding women. Her portrait was on the five dollar note for more than twenty years.
Caroline Chisholm was born in England in 1808. Even as a young girl she was interested in helping people. Her parents' home was always open to everyone, no matter how rich or poor.
When she was twenty-two years old she married Archibald Chisholm, an officer in the British Army. Early in their married life the Chisholms decided to move to Australia. When they sailed into Sydney it was still a convict town.
Unlike other army wives Caroline didn't stay at home. She took walks around the small town of Sydney, and was shocked at what she saw. There were many women living on the streets. Forced to travel out on filthy, overcrowded ships, they'd come to Australia looking for a better life. But when they got to Sydney, there were no jobs or places to live.
Caroline wanted to start a home for unemployed women, and then to find them jobs. She asked the Governor George Gipps for a building. Her submission was: "I would like a building to house these girls. I'm willing to work hard, assist in any way, give my time freely, provided such a home for young girls becomes a reality."
The Governor said it would cost too much, but was impressed by Mrs. Chisholm. "Mrs. Chisholm is tall, stately in her bearing, ladylike in her manners. Her face beaming with kindness, her voice is musical and she speaks fluently."
Caroline didn't give up. After many meetings the Governor finally gave in. "You can have Immigration Barracks"
Caroline's great great grandson, Don Chisholm, spoke of Caroline: "She was quite forceful but in a very pleasant and feminine way. I also think she was intensely practical so when she came to talk to a bureaucrat or Government official, they were always amazed first of all how practical she was and secondly as to what she'd already done before she got in their door. So that it was very hard for them to deny."
Caroline's battle for the Immigrant's Home was only just beginning. The building was filthy and full of rats. "Dear God, if it is your wish for me to begin from nothing, I shall with your help."
Caroline Chisholm tried to juggle her home duties with her work to help female migrants. Archibald supported her ideas. Mrs. Chisholm was often criticised for neglecting her children. She had nine in all.
The Female Immigrants' Home though, was a great success. Within two years Caroline had found jobs and homes for at least a thousand women. Caroline's home moved most of the women off the streets, but she could still see that future migrants would need help.
She convinced the authorities that something had to be done about the dreadful conditions on the ships being used to bring people to Australia. She set up an employment office, and was the first person in Australia to introduce work contracts; agreements about working conditions and pay.
She continued to travel the country to find jobs and homes for about 11,000 migrants, most of them young women. In all this time Caroline accepted no money for her work.
Don Chisholm again spoke of her: "She was given no financial support initially by the government at all and it really was an extraordinary thing for anyone to achieve, let alone a housewife who was looking after children and a family."
In 1846, Caroline Chisholm went back to England to work on another scheme for migrants. She talked the government into giving the families of former convicts a free voyage from England to Australia.
In 1877 Caroline Chisholm died at home in England. By then she was very poor and almost forgotten. But Australian history recognises Caroline Chisholm as one of our greatest women.
Caroline was one of Australia's most outstanding women. Her portrait was on the five dollar note for more than twenty years.
Caroline Chisholm was born in England in 1808. Even as a young girl she was interested in helping people. Her parents' home was always open to everyone, no matter how rich or poor.
When she was twenty-two years old she married Archibald Chisholm, an officer in the British Army. Early in their married life the Chisholms decided to move to Australia. When they sailed into Sydney it was still a convict town.
Unlike other army wives Caroline didn't stay at home. She took walks around the small town of Sydney, and was shocked at what she saw. There were many women living on the streets. Forced to travel out on filthy, overcrowded ships, they'd come to Australia looking for a better life. But when they got to Sydney, there were no jobs or places to live.
Caroline wanted to start a home for unemployed women, and then to find them jobs. She asked the Governor George Gipps for a building. Her submission was: "I would like a building to house these girls. I'm willing to work hard, assist in any way, give my time freely, provided such a home for young girls becomes a reality."
The Governor said it would cost too much, but was impressed by Mrs. Chisholm. "Mrs. Chisholm is tall, stately in her bearing, ladylike in her manners. Her face beaming with kindness, her voice is musical and she speaks fluently."
Caroline didn't give up. After many meetings the Governor finally gave in. "You can have Immigration Barracks"
Caroline's great great grandson, Don Chisholm, spoke of Caroline: "She was quite forceful but in a very pleasant and feminine way. I also think she was intensely practical so when she came to talk to a bureaucrat or Government official, they were always amazed first of all how practical she was and secondly as to what she'd already done before she got in their door. So that it was very hard for them to deny."
Caroline's battle for the Immigrant's Home was only just beginning. The building was filthy and full of rats. "Dear God, if it is your wish for me to begin from nothing, I shall with your help."
Caroline Chisholm tried to juggle her home duties with her work to help female migrants. Archibald supported her ideas. Mrs. Chisholm was often criticised for neglecting her children. She had nine in all.
The Female Immigrants' Home though, was a great success. Within two years Caroline had found jobs and homes for at least a thousand women. Caroline's home moved most of the women off the streets, but she could still see that future migrants would need help.
She convinced the authorities that something had to be done about the dreadful conditions on the ships being used to bring people to Australia. She set up an employment office, and was the first person in Australia to introduce work contracts; agreements about working conditions and pay.
She continued to travel the country to find jobs and homes for about 11,000 migrants, most of them young women. In all this time Caroline accepted no money for her work.
Don Chisholm again spoke of her: "She was given no financial support initially by the government at all and it really was an extraordinary thing for anyone to achieve, let alone a housewife who was looking after children and a family."
In 1846, Caroline Chisholm went back to England to work on another scheme for migrants. She talked the government into giving the families of former convicts a free voyage from England to Australia.
In 1877 Caroline Chisholm died at home in England. By then she was very poor and almost forgotten. But Australian history recognises Caroline Chisholm as one of our greatest women.
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[ Link ]
Posted By: Craig Hill - Category: No Category
Woollarawarre Bennelong: Bush Diplomat
November 19th 2008 10:51
The Sydney Opera House is located on Bennelong Point, named after the first Indigenous Australian to have intimate contact with Europeans. However, the story of Bennelong is also the amazing story of a true statesman, diplomat and bush politician.
The 25th of November 1789, almost two years after the landing of the First Fleet, was a remarkable day for Australia, just as it was equally remarkable for a certain individual who went by the name of Woollarawarre Bennelong. It was on this day that two Aborigines, Bennelong and Colby, were lured by some fish down to Manly Bay and, once close enough, the two men were bundled into a waiting long boat and taken to the settlement of Sydney. Governor Phillip had ordered the kidnapping of some Aborigines because he was under strict instructions from King George III to 'endeavour, by every possible mean, to open an intercourse with the natives, and to conciliate their affections, enjoining all our subjects to live in amity and kindness with them'.
However, Governor Phillip couldn't carry out these orders while there was no contact with the native inhabitants, who had kept their distance from Sydney Cove and all white people since settlement. Left with no other option, Governor Phillip felt that capturing an Aborigine and bringing him into Sydney Cove would start a relationship in which the differences of language, culture and society could be learnt. This would then allow both peoples to converse and trade, and it would gradually lead to a peaceful and prosperous society for both peoples to live in.
Although there were a few before him, Bennelong was one of the first Aborigines to learn to speak and understand English and to learn European customs and lifestyle and to enjoy their benefits. As he was one of the first Aborigines to come into the white settlement and visit it regularly, Bennelong was very instrumental in bridging the many gaps that existed between the white settlers and the indigenous people of the Sydney area, the Eora.
Kidnapping a person may seem a strange way to begin a relationship, but there is no doubt that a close relationship developed between Bennelong and Captain Arthur Phillip. Like the few Aborigines who had briefly stayed at Sydney Cove, Bennelong soon adopted European dress and ways, and learned English. He gave Governor Phillip the Aboriginal name Woollarawarre and adopted for himself the name of Governor. This was done as a mark of respect and affection for the Governor and was extremely important as the interchanging of names was 'found as a constant symbol of friendship among them', as said Captain Watkin Tench.
Bennelong feasted daily with the Governor and resided in his house where he shared a room and was watched by the Governor's steward. Bennelong spent the next couple of months willingly communicating information and explaining the customs of his country and his people. He wore English attire and displayed good manners at meals and even developed a taste for wine, which was regarded as a fiery potion of some sort by the other Aborigines. It is important to note that during this period (1789-92) Bennelong is generally regarded to have not been an alcoholic as he was upon his return from England (1795), but as a person who drank socially and held his liquor well.
Five months after his capture, Bennelong escaped from the Governor's house early one morning. This was especially frustrating for Phillip as he had put a lot of effort into trying to appease and learn from Bennelong, who was easily the most intelligent and helpful of the Aborigines that had come into Sydney Cove.
The next time Governor Phillip saw Bennelong was at Manly Cove where, under a storm of confusion, Governor Phillip was speared by Willemering. There is evidence to suggest that Willemering, who was a friend of Bennelong, was carrying out orders of retribution on behalf of Bennelong to pay Governor Phillip back for kidnapping him. There could easily have been all-out war if it weren't for Bennelong's cool head, and he convinced Governor Phillip that it was a grave misunderstanding.
The peaceful coming-in of the Eora to Sydney in October 1790 was both skilfully and equally devised by two men, Arthur Phillip and Woollarawarre Bennelong and is testament to Governor Phillip's and Bennelong's great diplomatic skills. Here it was agreed that the Eora would put an end to active resistance and live on friendly terms, and in return they wouldn't be forcibly captured, manacled or held against their will and could come and go from Sydney Cove as they pleased. Bennelong demonstrated throughout these talks his talent as a skilful negotiator and a master of adaptation and improvisation in the face of a more powerful, alien culture.
In a brainwave in February 1791, Lieutenant David Collins realised that the settlers had been cleverly influenced by Bennelong and his people, who had 'shielded the market' by preventing other tribes from trading with the white settlement. This basically created a monopoly for the Eora and significantly strengthened the clan, as well as strengthening Bennelong's position within the hierarchy of the clan. It is not improbable that the English would have been represented in a quite unfavourable light by the Eora so as to scare and deter the other clans from making contact with them at Sydney Cove. Unfortunately, this retarded Governor Phillip's effort to appease and set up trade with all the clans inhabiting the area around Sydney, not just Bennelong's clan. However, it displays great insight and intelligence on the part of Bennelong and the Eora who used the gift exchange system with the English completely to their advantage.
Another example of Bennelong's foresight was his insistence that his wife Barangaroo give birth in Governor Phillip's house, even though Governor Phillip tried at length to persuade Bennelong to go to the hospital. This illustrates Bennelong's initiative and can be seen as an attempt to bring Phillip into his family kinship circle and also to reconcile Phillip as his 'beanga', or father, which he often used to call him. Furthermore, in Aboriginal society one's birthplace is of great importance and the act of giving birth in Governor Phillip's house, which lay in Cadigal territory (a neighbouring clan to the Eora), demonstrates that Bennelong's clan was forging new land associations. This once again highlights Bennelong's quick wit and his ability to take advantage of a given situation.
In December 1792, Governor Phillip, who had been governor for nearly five years, decided to return to England. Bennelong had expressed interest in long sea voyages, so Governor Phillip invited him and another Aborigine named Yemmerrawanne to join the governor on his return trip and visit England, which they both gladly accepted. Unfortunately, Yemmerrawanne died in England two years later due to a lung disease, but Bennelong enjoyed his stay in London and was soon accustomed to wearing a ruffled lace shirt and a fancy waistcoat typical of the times. He also learned to box, skate, smoke and drink. Such was his eagerness and ability to learn that people have said the he 'ate as elegantly as the Englishmen, bowed, toasted, paid the ladies compliments and loved wine.' He even met King George III and heard debates in parliament and was delighted with everything he saw. Bennelong was long applauded as a success of both cultures because of his dynamic ability to blend into English high society or the traditional Aboriginal way of living, both very different settings. However, things in England took a turn for the worse for Bennelong as he found his fondness for wine greatly increasing. In September 1795, Bennelong, fast becoming ill and longing to come home, returned to Sydney with the colony's new governor, Governor Hunter. This second stage of Bennelong's life would prove to be disastrous for him as he took to the bottle with great resolve. He was often in drunken scuffles or payback battles and soon his own people began to shun him. Woollarawarre Bennelong died on the 3rd of January 1813 at James Squire's orchard at Kissing Point (Meadowbank) on the Parramatta River at the approximate age of 50.
Time and time again, Bennelong exhibited skills of determination, diplomacy and resolve that could be likened to that of an astute and seasoned politician. He was considered a vital link between the white settlers and the Aborigines because of his ability to speak both languages and behave accordingly in both cultures. His closeness to Governor Phillip and influential Aborigines such as Colby guaranteed his position within both societies as he was the intermediary between the two different peoples. Through his own actions, Bennelong cemented his image and position as an important and influential part of the establishment of Sydney Cove during the 1790s.
The 25th of November 1789, almost two years after the landing of the First Fleet, was a remarkable day for Australia, just as it was equally remarkable for a certain individual who went by the name of Woollarawarre Bennelong. It was on this day that two Aborigines, Bennelong and Colby, were lured by some fish down to Manly Bay and, once close enough, the two men were bundled into a waiting long boat and taken to the settlement of Sydney. Governor Phillip had ordered the kidnapping of some Aborigines because he was under strict instructions from King George III to 'endeavour, by every possible mean, to open an intercourse with the natives, and to conciliate their affections, enjoining all our subjects to live in amity and kindness with them'.
However, Governor Phillip couldn't carry out these orders while there was no contact with the native inhabitants, who had kept their distance from Sydney Cove and all white people since settlement. Left with no other option, Governor Phillip felt that capturing an Aborigine and bringing him into Sydney Cove would start a relationship in which the differences of language, culture and society could be learnt. This would then allow both peoples to converse and trade, and it would gradually lead to a peaceful and prosperous society for both peoples to live in.
Although there were a few before him, Bennelong was one of the first Aborigines to learn to speak and understand English and to learn European customs and lifestyle and to enjoy their benefits. As he was one of the first Aborigines to come into the white settlement and visit it regularly, Bennelong was very instrumental in bridging the many gaps that existed between the white settlers and the indigenous people of the Sydney area, the Eora.
Kidnapping a person may seem a strange way to begin a relationship, but there is no doubt that a close relationship developed between Bennelong and Captain Arthur Phillip. Like the few Aborigines who had briefly stayed at Sydney Cove, Bennelong soon adopted European dress and ways, and learned English. He gave Governor Phillip the Aboriginal name Woollarawarre and adopted for himself the name of Governor. This was done as a mark of respect and affection for the Governor and was extremely important as the interchanging of names was 'found as a constant symbol of friendship among them', as said Captain Watkin Tench.
Bennelong feasted daily with the Governor and resided in his house where he shared a room and was watched by the Governor's steward. Bennelong spent the next couple of months willingly communicating information and explaining the customs of his country and his people. He wore English attire and displayed good manners at meals and even developed a taste for wine, which was regarded as a fiery potion of some sort by the other Aborigines. It is important to note that during this period (1789-92) Bennelong is generally regarded to have not been an alcoholic as he was upon his return from England (1795), but as a person who drank socially and held his liquor well.
Five months after his capture, Bennelong escaped from the Governor's house early one morning. This was especially frustrating for Phillip as he had put a lot of effort into trying to appease and learn from Bennelong, who was easily the most intelligent and helpful of the Aborigines that had come into Sydney Cove.
The next time Governor Phillip saw Bennelong was at Manly Cove where, under a storm of confusion, Governor Phillip was speared by Willemering. There is evidence to suggest that Willemering, who was a friend of Bennelong, was carrying out orders of retribution on behalf of Bennelong to pay Governor Phillip back for kidnapping him. There could easily have been all-out war if it weren't for Bennelong's cool head, and he convinced Governor Phillip that it was a grave misunderstanding.
The peaceful coming-in of the Eora to Sydney in October 1790 was both skilfully and equally devised by two men, Arthur Phillip and Woollarawarre Bennelong and is testament to Governor Phillip's and Bennelong's great diplomatic skills. Here it was agreed that the Eora would put an end to active resistance and live on friendly terms, and in return they wouldn't be forcibly captured, manacled or held against their will and could come and go from Sydney Cove as they pleased. Bennelong demonstrated throughout these talks his talent as a skilful negotiator and a master of adaptation and improvisation in the face of a more powerful, alien culture.
In a brainwave in February 1791, Lieutenant David Collins realised that the settlers had been cleverly influenced by Bennelong and his people, who had 'shielded the market' by preventing other tribes from trading with the white settlement. This basically created a monopoly for the Eora and significantly strengthened the clan, as well as strengthening Bennelong's position within the hierarchy of the clan. It is not improbable that the English would have been represented in a quite unfavourable light by the Eora so as to scare and deter the other clans from making contact with them at Sydney Cove. Unfortunately, this retarded Governor Phillip's effort to appease and set up trade with all the clans inhabiting the area around Sydney, not just Bennelong's clan. However, it displays great insight and intelligence on the part of Bennelong and the Eora who used the gift exchange system with the English completely to their advantage.
Another example of Bennelong's foresight was his insistence that his wife Barangaroo give birth in Governor Phillip's house, even though Governor Phillip tried at length to persuade Bennelong to go to the hospital. This illustrates Bennelong's initiative and can be seen as an attempt to bring Phillip into his family kinship circle and also to reconcile Phillip as his 'beanga', or father, which he often used to call him. Furthermore, in Aboriginal society one's birthplace is of great importance and the act of giving birth in Governor Phillip's house, which lay in Cadigal territory (a neighbouring clan to the Eora), demonstrates that Bennelong's clan was forging new land associations. This once again highlights Bennelong's quick wit and his ability to take advantage of a given situation.
In December 1792, Governor Phillip, who had been governor for nearly five years, decided to return to England. Bennelong had expressed interest in long sea voyages, so Governor Phillip invited him and another Aborigine named Yemmerrawanne to join the governor on his return trip and visit England, which they both gladly accepted. Unfortunately, Yemmerrawanne died in England two years later due to a lung disease, but Bennelong enjoyed his stay in London and was soon accustomed to wearing a ruffled lace shirt and a fancy waistcoat typical of the times. He also learned to box, skate, smoke and drink. Such was his eagerness and ability to learn that people have said the he 'ate as elegantly as the Englishmen, bowed, toasted, paid the ladies compliments and loved wine.' He even met King George III and heard debates in parliament and was delighted with everything he saw. Bennelong was long applauded as a success of both cultures because of his dynamic ability to blend into English high society or the traditional Aboriginal way of living, both very different settings. However, things in England took a turn for the worse for Bennelong as he found his fondness for wine greatly increasing. In September 1795, Bennelong, fast becoming ill and longing to come home, returned to Sydney with the colony's new governor, Governor Hunter. This second stage of Bennelong's life would prove to be disastrous for him as he took to the bottle with great resolve. He was often in drunken scuffles or payback battles and soon his own people began to shun him. Woollarawarre Bennelong died on the 3rd of January 1813 at James Squire's orchard at Kissing Point (Meadowbank) on the Parramatta River at the approximate age of 50.
Time and time again, Bennelong exhibited skills of determination, diplomacy and resolve that could be likened to that of an astute and seasoned politician. He was considered a vital link between the white settlers and the Aborigines because of his ability to speak both languages and behave accordingly in both cultures. His closeness to Governor Phillip and influential Aborigines such as Colby guaranteed his position within both societies as he was the intermediary between the two different peoples. Through his own actions, Bennelong cemented his image and position as an important and influential part of the establishment of Sydney Cove during the 1790s.
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[ Link ]
Posted By: Craig Hill - Category: No Category
Edmund Barton: Australia's First Prime Minister
November 17th 2008 13:30
Edmund Barton was born in Glebe Sydney in 1849 to William and Mary Louise (née Whydah). A clever boy with a love of literature, music and art, Barton was educated at Fort Street Model School and Sydney Grammar School.
It was at Sydney Grammar that Barton first met Richard O’Connor. The lives of Barton and O’Connor would run parallel courses; each dedicated to the cause of Federation, both members of Australia’s first Federal Cabinet, and, ultimately, both would sit on the nation’s first High Court.
Matriculating to the University of Sydney in 1865, Barton studied Classics under Professor Charles Badham, engaged in debates held at the Mechanics School of Arts, and cultivated his love of cricket. In 1868 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Classics and two years later received a Masters of Art. On the 21st of December 1871 Barton was admitted to the Bar. The following year he became engaged to Jane (Jean) Mason Ross. Barton, however, was slow to establish his legal career and financial insecurity prevented the two from marrying until 1877.
With his interest in debating and a keen legal mind Barton was intent upon entering politics. In the 1870s and 1880s members of Parliament were unpaid. The colonial parliaments were composed of the Crown represented by the Governor, a Legislative Assembly of elected members, and the Legislative Council, a house of review whose members were appointed for life. Voting was not compulsory. Only those male Australians over the age of twenty-one, who either owned property to the value of one hundred pounds or paid rent to the value of ten pounds, were entitled to vote or to stand for the Legislative Assembly. Plural voting was allowed for university graduates and those who owned more than one property. Despite these limitations, NSW was considered to be democratically progressive.
Defeated for the University of Sydney seat in the Legislative Assembly in 1876 and again in 1877, Barton was eventually successful in 1879. NSW politics of this period were divided between the equally conservative Protectionist Party espousing tariff protection of State products and the Free Trade Party who believed in an open economy. Each State effectively operated as a separate country imposing import and export taxes on goods travelling across borders. Economic competition between the States was a major obstacle standing in the path of a federated nation. It was as a Protectionist that Barton initially entered the Legislative Assembly, however, over the next 20 years his commitment to a Federation would see him advocate free trade within Australia, while calling for a protectionist stance against the world. Barton’s rise to political prominence was rapid, and by 1883 he had become Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of NSW.
In the early 1880s Barton became a member of the Athenaeum Club. Here, he could satisfy his epicurean taste for fine food and wine while sharpening his debating skills in conversation with some of Sydney’s most respected intellectuals, artists, professionals and politicians. The proprietor of the Sydney Morning Herald Sir James Fairfax, the editor of The Bulletin J.F. Archibald, the Professor of English Literature at the University of Sydney Sir Mungo MacCallum, the artist Julian Ashton, as well as the politicians Richard O’Connor and Sir William Lyne, were members. The writers Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson visited the Athenaeum on their travels through Sydney.
By the early 1890s Barton was faced with many competing demands for his time and energy. Having contributed to the first draft of the Constitution in 1891, Barton dedicated many unpaid hours to speaking at public meetings and publicising the cause. However, Barton was under considerable pressure to provide for his growing family. When on the 23rd of October 1891 Barton accepted Premier Dibbs’s offer to serve in his protectionist government as Attorney-General, he negotiated the right to maintain his private practice as a barrister. Two years later Barton’s parliamentary responsibilities came into direct conflict with his private practice when he accepted a brief against the Crown and was forced to resign.
Between 1893 and 1897 Barton passionately devoted himself to the Federation movement and to the drafting of the Constitution. By the end of the century Barton had overseen the drafting of the amended Constitution, its protracted and difficult passing through the NSW Legislative Assembly and Council, as well as an exhausting campaign through two referenda to its eventual approval by the British Parliament in 1900.
Although it was fully expected that Barton would be selected to be the first Prime Minister to take the people to their first Federal election, the new Governor General Lord Hopetoun instead selected William Lyne Premier of NSW. In a mark of solidarity with Barton, appointed members of Cabinet refused to serve under Lyne. Barton was finally appointed the nation’s first Prime Minister, taking the portfolio of Minister of External Affairs.
The celebrations for Federation in Sydney took place on 1st January 1901. For Barton, however, it was the start of yet another campaign trail as a Federal election now had to be fought and won. In March 1901 Barton and his entire Cabinet, including old friends and allies, Alfred Deakin, Charles Kingston and Richard O’Connor, were formally approved by the Australian voters. Although only Prime Minster for a little over two and a half years, the Australian Public Service, the instigation of the White Australia Policy, women’s right to vote and the High Court were all established during his term.
Having twice refused a Knighthood, Barton finally accepted a GCMG (Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George) in 1902. In September 1903, worn out by the responsibilities of being Prime Minister and the long and exhausting federation campaign that preceded it, Barton resigned.
Shortly afterwards Barton was appointed to sit on Australia’s first High Court. For the next 17 years Barton interpreted the Constitution he had helped to create. Before the opening of the present High Court in Canberra in 1980 the High Court divided its time between the State capital cities. Despite the travelling, the life of a High Court judge was far less onerous than that of a politician. Barton was finally able to resume his dinners at the Athenaeum Club and spend more time with his wife, six children and grandchildren.
Barton also had time to indulge his love of literature. As his son Judge E.A. Barton fondly remembered: ‘His great love was Shakespeare. It would be scarcely an exaggeration to say that he remembered every act and every scene in the plays and innumerable passages were stored in his memory.’ (Reynolds, 1948, p. 72)
In January 1920, at the age of 70, Edmund Barton died suddenly of heart failure at Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains.
It was at Sydney Grammar that Barton first met Richard O’Connor. The lives of Barton and O’Connor would run parallel courses; each dedicated to the cause of Federation, both members of Australia’s first Federal Cabinet, and, ultimately, both would sit on the nation’s first High Court.
Matriculating to the University of Sydney in 1865, Barton studied Classics under Professor Charles Badham, engaged in debates held at the Mechanics School of Arts, and cultivated his love of cricket. In 1868 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Classics and two years later received a Masters of Art. On the 21st of December 1871 Barton was admitted to the Bar. The following year he became engaged to Jane (Jean) Mason Ross. Barton, however, was slow to establish his legal career and financial insecurity prevented the two from marrying until 1877.
With his interest in debating and a keen legal mind Barton was intent upon entering politics. In the 1870s and 1880s members of Parliament were unpaid. The colonial parliaments were composed of the Crown represented by the Governor, a Legislative Assembly of elected members, and the Legislative Council, a house of review whose members were appointed for life. Voting was not compulsory. Only those male Australians over the age of twenty-one, who either owned property to the value of one hundred pounds or paid rent to the value of ten pounds, were entitled to vote or to stand for the Legislative Assembly. Plural voting was allowed for university graduates and those who owned more than one property. Despite these limitations, NSW was considered to be democratically progressive.
Defeated for the University of Sydney seat in the Legislative Assembly in 1876 and again in 1877, Barton was eventually successful in 1879. NSW politics of this period were divided between the equally conservative Protectionist Party espousing tariff protection of State products and the Free Trade Party who believed in an open economy. Each State effectively operated as a separate country imposing import and export taxes on goods travelling across borders. Economic competition between the States was a major obstacle standing in the path of a federated nation. It was as a Protectionist that Barton initially entered the Legislative Assembly, however, over the next 20 years his commitment to a Federation would see him advocate free trade within Australia, while calling for a protectionist stance against the world. Barton’s rise to political prominence was rapid, and by 1883 he had become Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of NSW.
In the early 1880s Barton became a member of the Athenaeum Club. Here, he could satisfy his epicurean taste for fine food and wine while sharpening his debating skills in conversation with some of Sydney’s most respected intellectuals, artists, professionals and politicians. The proprietor of the Sydney Morning Herald Sir James Fairfax, the editor of The Bulletin J.F. Archibald, the Professor of English Literature at the University of Sydney Sir Mungo MacCallum, the artist Julian Ashton, as well as the politicians Richard O’Connor and Sir William Lyne, were members. The writers Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson visited the Athenaeum on their travels through Sydney.
By the early 1890s Barton was faced with many competing demands for his time and energy. Having contributed to the first draft of the Constitution in 1891, Barton dedicated many unpaid hours to speaking at public meetings and publicising the cause. However, Barton was under considerable pressure to provide for his growing family. When on the 23rd of October 1891 Barton accepted Premier Dibbs’s offer to serve in his protectionist government as Attorney-General, he negotiated the right to maintain his private practice as a barrister. Two years later Barton’s parliamentary responsibilities came into direct conflict with his private practice when he accepted a brief against the Crown and was forced to resign.
Between 1893 and 1897 Barton passionately devoted himself to the Federation movement and to the drafting of the Constitution. By the end of the century Barton had overseen the drafting of the amended Constitution, its protracted and difficult passing through the NSW Legislative Assembly and Council, as well as an exhausting campaign through two referenda to its eventual approval by the British Parliament in 1900.
Although it was fully expected that Barton would be selected to be the first Prime Minister to take the people to their first Federal election, the new Governor General Lord Hopetoun instead selected William Lyne Premier of NSW. In a mark of solidarity with Barton, appointed members of Cabinet refused to serve under Lyne. Barton was finally appointed the nation’s first Prime Minister, taking the portfolio of Minister of External Affairs.
The celebrations for Federation in Sydney took place on 1st January 1901. For Barton, however, it was the start of yet another campaign trail as a Federal election now had to be fought and won. In March 1901 Barton and his entire Cabinet, including old friends and allies, Alfred Deakin, Charles Kingston and Richard O’Connor, were formally approved by the Australian voters. Although only Prime Minster for a little over two and a half years, the Australian Public Service, the instigation of the White Australia Policy, women’s right to vote and the High Court were all established during his term.
Having twice refused a Knighthood, Barton finally accepted a GCMG (Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George) in 1902. In September 1903, worn out by the responsibilities of being Prime Minister and the long and exhausting federation campaign that preceded it, Barton resigned.
Shortly afterwards Barton was appointed to sit on Australia’s first High Court. For the next 17 years Barton interpreted the Constitution he had helped to create. Before the opening of the present High Court in Canberra in 1980 the High Court divided its time between the State capital cities. Despite the travelling, the life of a High Court judge was far less onerous than that of a politician. Barton was finally able to resume his dinners at the Athenaeum Club and spend more time with his wife, six children and grandchildren.
Barton also had time to indulge his love of literature. As his son Judge E.A. Barton fondly remembered: ‘His great love was Shakespeare. It would be scarcely an exaggeration to say that he remembered every act and every scene in the plays and innumerable passages were stored in his memory.’ (Reynolds, 1948, p. 72)
In January 1920, at the age of 70, Edmund Barton died suddenly of heart failure at Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains.
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