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Who are 5 Australians who have been important in Australian history?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
As this questions asks for Australians, famous explorers and significant people who were not born in Australia, or who did not come to Australia at a young age, will not be mentioned.
- Arguably the first significant Australian was William Charles Wentworth. The son of a convict mother, he was born aboard the 'Surprize', a ship transporting convicts to Australia in 1790. Wentworth travelled with William Lawson and Gregory Blaxland to become the first European to cross the Blue Mountains which, for twenty-five years, had stopped the colony of Sydney from expanding. Although many had tried to cross the mountain range, they had all been turned back by dead-end ravines and sheer cliffs. Discovering a way through the Blue Mountains opened up the huge interior of Australia for settlement and further exploration. After his significant contribution to this venture, Wentworth went on to make a significant name for himself in New South Wales. He established 'The Australian' newspaper in 1824 and founded the University of Sydney in 1852.
- Another would be Sir Henry Parkes, regarded as the Father of Federation. This man was the first person to vocally call for Australia to become its own nation. He travelled the country seeking support and spreading his message. Although he died just 2 years before Australia federated in 1901, his passionate advocacy of Federation had a great impact on the development of the country.
- Sir John Forrest, explorer of Western Australia and that state's first Premier, made a significant contribution to the development of the remote west. He made three expeditions to explore the uncharted areas of Western Australia, opening up areas for settlement. In addition, as the first premier when Western Australia attained self-government, he did much to ensure Federation was advantageous and fair for the people in the isolated west.
- Another significant Australia was Edmund Barton who was the first Australian Prime Minister, being appointed the position upon Federation. He also made a significant contribution to the passing of the new constitution.
- Prime Minister John Curtin was a brave and courageous man who led the country through World War II, making difficult decisions that went against previous policies. He made the uncertain choice to call on the United States for assistance when England proved to be too caught up in fighting Germany to come to Australia's aid against the Japanese in the Pacific. Australia was arguably in its darkest hour with bombings on cities in the north, submarine attacks along the eastern seaboard, and German warships sinking Australian ships along the west coast. Most Australians thought the country was about to be invaded, but John Curtin took command of the country and focused its resources to stop the Japanese in Papua New Guinea. Curtin died of a heart attack just 2 weeks before Japan surrendered.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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