|
PO Box 1360,
|
The launch The idea for the Henry Parkes Foundation arose during celebrations to mark the centenary of Parkes death in mid 1996, and the first planning meeting was held in June of that year. Three years later,
on 4 June 1999, the Foundation was formally launched at a function in
the Legislative Assembly Chamber of NSW Parliament House, hosted by the
Deputy Speaker, Henry Parkes himself was present (played by actor Garry Ridgway). Listening to him were the NSW Attorney-General, Jeff Shaw, representing the Premier, as well as the Leader of the Opposition, Kerry Chikarovski, and an audience of 150 guests, including the Foundation's patron, the Hon. Gordon Samuels, Governor of New South Wales. Messages of support were received from the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, and from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Beazley (PDF files). Media release - ‘Grand Old Man’ of Australian politics finds a new voice Launch program - order of events Speech by Dr Helen Irving - 'The crimson thread of kinship runs through us all.' Speech by His Excellency, the Honourable Gordon Samuels AC, Governor of New South Wales - presentation of the trust deed establishing the Foundation Speech by Sir Henry Parkes - the poet, the radical, the elder statesman
|