THE legacy of Sir Henry Parkes and his connection with Tenterfield will continue on Saturday, October 26 with the annual Oration at the School of Arts.
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The Tenterfield Oration was a famous speech given by Sir Henry Parkes at the School of Arts on October 24, 1889 which advocated federation for the six Australian colonies.
Former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson was in Tenterfield last year to deliver the Oration.
The man often referred to as the “father of the independents”, Ted Mack, will do the honours this year.
Tenterfield Shire mayor Peter Petty said he was looking forward to having Mr Mack in town.
“I’m looking forward to it, it’s always good,” Cr Petty said.
“An invitation has been extended to Parkes mayor Ken Keith as well.”
While always a well celebrated event, next year will mark the 125th anniversary of the famed federation speech and plans are in place to lure the NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell.
“It will be a huge year,” Cr Petty said.
"We’re working alone those lines [getting Barry O’Farrell].
“There have been conversations with both our state representatives in Thomas George and Adam Marshall and they are working on it too.”
This year’s guest of honour, Ted Mack, is the only person to have been elected and then re-elected, as an independent to all three tiers of government in Australia.
Mr Mack will reflect on the current state of federation and to suggest directions for reform when he presents his address “The State of Federation” at 2pm on Saturday, October 26.
The 79-year-old is a former Independent Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seat of North Shore and Independent MP as the Member for North Sydney for six years before he was succeeded by current Federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey.
He retired two days before he was due to qualify for a “greedy” million dollar parliamentary pension entitlement, as a statement against the excesses of public political office.
Mr Mack said he believed local councils had lost their way worrying about “Israel and nuclear tests in Pakistan” instead of maintaining roads and parks.
"The fundamental purpose of local government is to look after the physical fabric of the area. Maintenance is one thing councils don't do these days,” Mr Mack said.
In 1997 Ted Mack was elected as 1 of 100 “National Living Treasures” in an election organised by the National Trust of Australia
Admission to the oration is free but bookings are recommended at the School of Arts or telephone 6736 6100.
