John Gale 
Hon. Sir Austin Chapman MP declared:
“… if any man were entitled to be known as the Father of Canberra, it was veteran Queanbeyan journalist John Gale.” 1
Charles Studdy Daley OBE wrote:
“… John Gale lived to see his vision realized when he attended the opening of Parliament in Canberra in 1927, and was presented to Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York … who would wish to dispute his right to be acknowledged as The Father of Canberra.” 2
Sir Austin Chapman told AK Murray, editor of the Federal Pioneer Magazine:
“… Canberra… Many are accredited wrongly with the initiation of the movement for its establishment; but they cannot deny the author … [John Gale] the title of ‘The Father of Canberra’. The late Sir Austin Chapman acknowledged that to me.” 3
Hon Sir John Forrest, Federal Minister and Western Australian Premier
“… The late Sir John Forrest, representing Western Australia in those days opposed the choice of Canberra; but when chosen he wrote and acknowledged that it was mainly Mr Gale’s famous pamphlet on ‘Dalgety or Canberra, Which?‘ a brochure published in 1907, and distributed to every member of the Commonwealth’s seven Parliaments, and amongst other prominent members of the communiy – that won the day for Canberra.” 4
AK Murray, editor of Canberra’s Federal Pioneer Magazine, wrote:
“… Mr Gale is, first, the oldest living journalist in the English-speaking world; and secondly, by his persistent advocacy of Canberra as a site for a Capital City, has earned the title of ‘The Father of Canberra’.” 5
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September 22nd, 2008 | Category: CONNEE | Leave a comment