Did Sir Henry Parkes ever imagine his life would lead him from a Warwickshire farm to the heart of Australian politics? Here, in Sydney, we celebrate a man often called the “Father of Australian Federation”. Sir Henry Parkes, born in England in 1815, arrived in Sydney in 1839. He began as a laborer but his thirst for knowledge and political engagement propelled him forward. Sir Henry Parkes became a journalist, founding the Empire newspaper, a platform he used to advocate for liberal ideals.
Sir Henry Parkes’s impact on Australian education is significant. His Public Schools Act of 1866 introduced compulsory free education. Later, his Public Instruction Act of 1880 separated church and state in public schools. Sir Henry Parkes served as Premier of New South Wales five times. He championed free trade, improved railways and public works, and even addressed Chinese immigration. His political career was a rollercoaster of successes and setbacks, including bankruptcy and fierce political rivalries.
But Sir Henry Parkes’s most enduring legacy is his tireless push for Australian federation. In 1889, at Tenterfield, he delivered a powerful oration urging the colonies to unite. This speech, known as the Tenterfield Oration, galvanized the public and spurred the movement towards a unified Australia. Sir Henry Parkes didn’t live to see the realization of his dream. Federation finally came in 1901, five years after his death. But his influence is undeniable. Sir Henry Parkes, the boy from humble beginnings, left an indelible mark on the nation’s history. He truly earned his title, the “Father of Australian Federation.”