Tom Harley
Chairman, Australian Heritage Council
Keating and Fraser unite in celebration of Australia's democracy
Media release
22 October 2009
Former Australian Prime Ministers Malcolm Fraser and Paul Keating have called on Australians to celebrate and preserve the sites that shaped our political history.
The two former Prime Ministers spoke today at the launch of Building a Free Australia: Places of Democracy, a book which details the people and places that have played an important part in the history of Australia's democracy.
Australian Heritage Council chairman Tom Harley said the story of Australian democracy is probably the biggest and most important part of Australian history.
"It is important that we celebrate the people and preserve the places that have been pivotal in building Australia's democracy. These significant heritage sites are protected for the benefit of current and future generations and because they tell a story that is distinctively Australian," Mr Harley said.
"The places of democracy featured in the book have made a major contribution to our national identity and make our towns and cities unique and special places to live," he said.
"These places are special to our brand of democracy - one of the oldest in the world".
"They range from houses of parliament and well known buildings such as Sydney's Court House, Hobart's Government House, Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building and Tenterfield's School of Arts - the place of Henry Parkes' speech on Federation - to lesser known places like pubs, hotels, theatres and public parks."
"The book also tells stories of the men and women of these places and their contribution to our political history - how Richard Dry, son of a convict, became Premier of Tasmania and how libraries at Mechanics Institutes assisted the careers of Henry Lawson and Ben Chifley."
The book, by acclaimed historian John Hirst and published by the Australian Heritage Council, was launched at Melbourne's Athenaeum Library. The Melbourne Athenaeum started as Melbourne's first Mechanics Institute in 1839, and its history is outlined in the book.
The book features historical sites from each State and Territory, with stories and images celebrating the role these places played in Australia's democracy.
Six of the ‘places of democracy' are included in Australia's National Heritage List due to their outstanding value to the nation.
Copies of the book can be purchased at the National Trust shop at Old Parliament House, Canberra. Ph 02 6273 4744; Email ophshop@nationaltrustact.org.au.
For more information visit www.heritage.gov.au
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