Description
- Sir Henry Parkes statue
Erected in 1897, the original marble statue of Sir Henry Parkes was removed for storage in 1970 after it was vandalised. This damage also led to the removal of many other sculptures that were likely to meet the same fate.The bronze sculpture currently atop the original sandstone pedestal is the work of Alan Somerville and was unveiled on 27 April 1996 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Sir Henry Parkes.Remembering a greatThe legacy of Sir Henry Parkes is more than just a face on our nation’s $5 note – it’s profoundly important to Centennial Park, Sydney and Australia at large.Born into poverty in 1815 and emigrating to Australia in 1839, the ‘Father of Federation’ overcame incessant financial hardship to become Premier of NSW five times and was the driving force behind the creation of Centennial Park in 1888. He declared Centennial Park ‘The People's Park’ and it eventually became the backdrop to another of his visions when six colonies united under the inauguration of the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901, achieving peacefully what other nations could only manage through war. Sadly he died in 1896, four years before Federation.Founding of Centennial ParkOn 19 July 1886 work began on transforming swamplands and rocky outcrops into what would become the largest urban park in the southern hemisphere at the time.Initially intended to beautify the city, the park quickly became a symbol of hope – providing jobs to hundreds of unemployed Sydneysiders. With 65% of metropolitan Sydney living within 8km of it, Centennial Park awakened the spirit of the city-dwelling working class with nature’s beauty.Once opened, ‘The People’s Park’ began filling an entire city’s lungs with clean air and reminding a nation what was possible when we overcome boundaries of politics and class. Next: Follow Parkes Drive down to Cannons Triangle and the ‘We Won’ Statue.
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