-Daniel
Tuesday, August 22
Happy Birthday
Today is the 159th Birthday of Sir John Forrest, a man who has loomed large over Australia's history since his birth (if you haven't already worked it out) in 1847. He was a noted explorer, the first Premier of Western Australia (holding that position for 10 years), the first Minister of Defence in the Commonwealth Parliament and the first Australian offered (I don't like to say 'raised to') a British Peerage. He also weighed close to 20 stone when he died in 1918. Happy Birthday. But perhaps he ought to skip the cake.
-Daniel
-Daniel
9 comments:
You left out the fact that he died on the boat taking him to England so that he could take up his position in the House of Lords. He was supposed to be a terrible explorer as well. Nevertheless, I'll take the cork out of a bottle tonight to honour his memory. Oh, for the younger readers, Forrest is the family name of Eileen, mother of all the big Roff boys.
Actually, it was me that posted that. Sorry Adam - I did it in a bit of a rush.
The reason I remember him is, mostly through Grandma, but also because of my first Human Rights Law lecture, when his name came up in connection with the "White Australia Policy". I'm trying to track down the exact quote but he said something along the lines of 'the day we let darkies and chinks into our country will be a sorry day indeed'. As you can imagine, the looks I received when I proudly declared the connection (especially the stare from the Kenyan lecturer, with whom I have since kept in contact) were not as pleased or welcoming as I had envisaged.
once again the family name precedes us.....
k8
Thanks Daniel.Interestingly,there's a print of John and Alexander in one of the Woodlawn bedrooms.Although we tried to claim him the fact that he didn't have children was a minor impediment.Apparently the offer of a peerage was to shut him up.He'd been petitioning for years.Shades of Black with his OA.
Some interesting stuff on the baron at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Forrest
Yes, Stuart was very right to point that out. As was Grandma. Although, Grandma was also very keen to have each of us rightfully deserve the status society may choose to heap upon us - whether it was proven we petitioned for that particular recognition or it was shown we actually deserved it.
In that vein I like to think that his being offered a seat in The House Of Lords was actually due to his stellar efforts in support of Imperial institutions, irrepsective of what that frequently inconvenient judge known as 'history' might have to say in response.
WA Roffs may be wise. Wasnt he the first Premier of WA and have something to do with getting that lovely Kings Park up and running?
Dad, pulled this from Wikipedia, wondering if you see any similarities, or is it just me?
On character:John Forrest was... fond of pomp and ceremony, and insisted on being treated with respect at all times. Highly sensitive to criticism, he hated having his authority challenged, and tended to browbeat his political opponents. He had very little sense of humour, being greatly offended when a journalist playfully referred to him as the "Commissioner for Crown Sands"... etc etc
Replace political opponents with children and we are really close on this one. What do you think?
Of course , he is very well thought over here in sandgroper land. Great explorer, leaving on one of his expeditiond with brother Alexander from one of the Geraldton pubs (geez- maybe he is related ), WA's first Premier and leading proposer of the King's Park reserve and a leading architect of Federation. Sadly though also a forerunner of Menzies in loving everything British but that's a minor point in his grand achievements. Equally sad is prehaps Grandma's dubious claim of some ancestory.
Rock
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