THE OUTBACK HISTORIAN
  • Home
  • About
  • Stories
  • Buy the Book
  • Contact
  • Australia's Invisible History

Henry Parkes - One People, One Destiny

3/28/2023

2 Comments

 
Sitting at the impressive polished table in the School of Arts building in the New England town of Tenterfield, I wondered just how this remote country town, straddling the train line between Sydney and Brisbane, became a crucial link in Australia’s journey to nationhood.

I discovered it has to do with one strong-minded man – Henry Parkes. Right where I was sitting was the spot from which the feisty, five-time Premier of NSW first gave a rousing speech, which he then repeated fifteen times in other locations. This gave serious momentum to the push for federating the six states. Professor Marie Bashir, the recent Governor of this state, declared “…his stirring words of exhortation and unity to the crowd of citizens who loved him – ‘One people, one destiny’ – will continue to inspire.”
Picture
Henry Parkes’ capacity for resilience was legendary. It’s estimated that his repeated business disasters added up to $20M in debts. He often shifted alliances, put friends offside and repeatedly failed at the election booths. Yet, even his opponents admired his tenacity – fighting on at 80 years old.

Parkes has been called ‘a colossus’ – a giant of the 19th century political landscape. However, as with many successful leaders, standing in his shadow was a remarkable range of men and women, many with an active Christian faith, whose counsel deflected Henry’s energies in the right direction. For example, wealthy philanthropist, Thomas Holt, was not afraid to offend the premier by advising him wisely, that his gifts were best used in parliament, not in the business world. 

Henry always carried a miniature portrait of his much-loved daughter Menie. Historian Stuart Piggin observed that he ‘came to value her emotional perspicuity and her opinion on matters political and literary.’ 

Parkes appears to have had mood swings. In 1869, weary of political wrangling, he fell into depression. Menie wrote to him, pointing him to the larger vision offered by the most successful leader in human history.

“Father dear, I don’t think satisfaction of soul is to be got in any earthly joy…But if you said once ‘I leave my future in the hands of Jesus Christ, and rest my every hope on him for salvation’ then I say yours has been no wasted life, no, but the brave beginning of a holy eternity.”

Menie wrote warmly of her native land; “I love it and pray and hope for it. God bless and govern it.” She and Thomas Holt were typical of the Christians in the late 19th century who believed that vital faith made the best of both worlds. They may well have been part of a  ‘secret service’ that brought out the best in Henry Parkes and made him the champion who gave us the vision of  ‘One nation, one destiny.’
2 Comments
John G
4/1/2023 07:09:01 pm

As usual Paul your stories amaze me the way you bring history to life... especially when it comes to the way it involves the lord... Keep it up please...

Reply
Paul Toe link
4/3/2023 10:19:26 am

John. Thanks. These stories are tucked away in all corners of the country. I hope people of faith are waking up to the great resource that lies untapped all around. Our new generations know little of what Jesus has given Australia. It’s imperative we tell them. Paul.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Join The Outback Historian, Paul Roe, on an unforgettable journey into Australia's Past as he follows the footprints of the Master Storyteller and uncovers unknown treasures of the nation.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    April 2020

    Categories

    All
    Anzac Day
    Aviation
    Bourke
    Bushrangers
    Bush Services
    Business
    Cemetery Tours
    Christmas
    Colin Buchanan
    Concert
    Dubbo
    Education
    Entrepreneur
    Explorers
    For Schools
    History
    Immigration
    Indigenous
    Invention
    Leadership
    Listen
    Media
    Medical
    New Year
    Outback
    Pastoral Care
    Philanthropy
    Pilgrimage
    Politics
    Radio
    Read
    Social Services
    Sport
    Storytelling
    Sydney
    The Arts
    Watch
    Worldview

    RSS Feed

Picture
Sponsored by
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Multimedia Centre
Media Assets
Bourke and Beyond Book Resources
Picture
Copyright 2020 by The Outback Historian
Site powered by ABRACADABRA Learning
  • Home
  • About
  • Stories
  • Buy the Book
  • Contact
  • Australia's Invisible History