Henry Parkes ‘Tenterfield Oration’
On 24 October 1889 Sir Henry Parkes, then Premier of NSW, made his famous speech, the 'Tenterfield Oration', in favour of Federation. The speech was given at the Tenterfield School of Arts in northern NSW in order to promote free trade across colonial borders and called for "a great national government for all Australia".
Henry Parkes served five terms as NSW Premier between 1872 and 1891. He became known as the 'Father of Federation'.
Source: National Museum of Australia. (2021). Defining moments: Tenterfield oration
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald. (1889). Sir Henry Parkes at Tenterfield
Related: Martin, A.W. Australian Dictionary of Biography. (1974). Parkes, Sir Henry (1815-1896)
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