Monthly Archives: November 2008

Father of Canberra

John Gale

Six months after the March 10, 2001, unveiling of the large bronze sculpture of John Gale, a controversy  erupted in Queanbeyan (Sister City of Canberra) when a Queanbeyan City Council, councillor declared, that John Gale (1831-1929) was not the Father of Canberra, and insisted that the title belonged to Sir Austin Chapman.

But 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

* More information? Go to the menu at the top and click on the Father of Canberra page.