Answers to the 2023 Australiana Crossword
Across: 2 (Henry) Parkes, 7 Dig, 9 Major (Ross), 10 Rum (Rebellion), 11 David (Collins), 14 Neville (Bonner), 15 Gaol, 16 Ash (Barty), 17 Lady (Penryn), 19 Cathy (Freeman), 21 (Cathy) Freeman, 23 (Enid) Lyons, 25 Fishburn, 28 Idly, 30 Resin, 31 OAP (Old Age Pensioner), 33 (HMS) Sirius, 34 (Susan) Kiefel, 35 Tents, 36 Try.
Down: 1 Edmund (Barton), 2 Pemulwuy, 3 (Mary) Reibey, 4 Enid (Lyons), 5 Gadigal (or Cadigal), 6 (William) Bradley, 8 (Golden) Grove, 12 Archie (Roach), 13 DA (David Astle), 16 AIF (Australian Imperial Force), 18 Don (Bradman), 19 (David) Collins, 20 Henry (Parkes), 22 Mary (Reibey), 24 (HMS) Supply, 25 First (Governor), 26 Susan (Kiefel), 27 (Sir Joseph) Banks, 29 (Simeon) Lord, 31 Oft, 32 AER (Australian Energy Regulator)
How did you go? There were a few tricky spellings! Did you recall the names of the following people?
Henry Parkes, long time premier of NSW and famous for his "Tenterfield Oration" did not live to see his dream of Federation become reality, passing away in 1896.
Major Robert Ross, the first Lieutenant Governor, was a thorn in the side of Arthur Phillip, taking every opportunity to undermine him. Ross left the colony in 1791.
David Collins' two volume "The English Colony in New South Wales" is an important historical resource. Collins went on to become the first Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land, dying in Hobart in 1810.
Neville Bonner was initially appointed to fill a vacancy in the Senate in 1971 but was subsequently elected in his own right in four subsequent elections. Although a member of the Liberal Party, he was somewhat of a rebel and frequently crossed the floor. Most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders had been prohibited from voting in state and federal elections until the 1960s and it was not until 1984 that the same election rules applied to them as other Australians.
Enid Lyons was the widow of former Prime Minister Joseph Lyons, Although women had been granted equal suffrage in 1902, it was not until the election in 1943 that Enid Lyons (UAP) became the first female member of the House of Representatives and Dorothy Tangney (ALP) became the first female senator.
Susan Kiefel was appointed as the first female Chief Justice of the High Court in 2017. That's 114 years after the 1903 Judiciary Act enabled appointments to be made to the High Court bench. Back in 1987, Mary Gaudron became the first female appointed to that bench.
Edmund Barton took office as the First Prime Minister on January 1, 1901. This most significant event in Australia's history - its establishment as a country - was appropriately accompanied by a major public ceremony and much celebration. Barton served as PM until 1903 when he became one of the first three Justices appointed to the bench of the High Court.
Pemulwuy was, "as [Governor] King recognised, ‘a brave and independent character’. He inspired others, fought hard and died for his land and his people. For that, we can all admire him." A Sydney suburb has been named after him.
Mary Reibey (nee Haydock) arrived in the colony on the Royal Admiral in October 1792 as a young girl. After she was widowed she carried on and expanded the businesses that she and her husband had established and became a highly respected member of the community. Her image is on the $20 note.
William Bradley's "A Voyage to New South Wales" and the accompanying paintings and maps represent another important historical resource. (From late January to February 6, 1788 Bradley, working with Captain John Hunter, completed a survey of Sydney Harbour. Bradley's Head is named after him. Bradley left the colony with most of the rest of the HMS Sirius crew to attend the "Sirius" court martial back in England. Sadly, his later life was affected by a mental illness which was not fully understood at the time and he died in exile and disgrace.
Simeon Lord arrived in Australia on the Third Fleet in August 1791 having been convicted of theft in Manchester. He was somewhat fortunate to be assigned to Captain Thomas Rowley of the NSW Corps. This gave him the "inside connections" that enabled him to build a significant business empire and become one of the colony's wealthiest men. He was even appointed a magistrate in 1810.
The 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony was spectacular but seeing Cathy Freeman take the lead in the 400m to win Australia's 100th ever Olympic Gold was spine tingling stuff. And last January, there were tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat watching Tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley present the trophy to Ash Barty after her Australian Open triumph. On a more sombre note, last year also saw the loss of the wonderful "Uncle Archie" Roach.
