5 July
2006 - The Australian Government will provide
more than $5,000 to help restore the London graves
of two of the nation’s first Prime Ministers,
Sir George Reid and Andrew Fisher, Australian
Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator
Ian Campbell, announced today.
The funding will be used by
the Office of Australian War Graves for the restoration
work.
“Both Sir George Reid and Andrew
Fisher made a significant contribution to the
early development of the Australian nation and
its new Federal constitution,” Senator Campbell
said.
“The restoration of their graves
is important to protect their heritage values,
but more importantly to honour the memories of
two great Australians.”
Sir George Reid, Australia’s
fourth Prime Minister and leader of the Free Trade
Party, served his term from 18 August 1904 until
5 July 1905. He was also Australia’s founding
High Commissioner in London, serving from 1910
until early 1916. His death in 1918 was mourned
by the Australian nation.
More than $1,400 is available
for work on Sir George Reid’s grave in London’s
Putney Vale Cemetery. This will be used to clean
the base of the grave and granite, re-seal the
surfaces and repair damaged areas.
Andrew Fisher was Prime Minister
for three terms, 1908-09, 1910-13 and 1914-15,
also serving as Treasurer during all three terms.
He was a founding member of both the Labor Party
in Queensland and of the federal parliamentary
Labor Party.
“A number of important projects
were undertaken during his terms in office, including
the establishment of the Royal Australian Navy
and the Commonwealth Bank, founding the federal
capital of Canberra, and the introduction of maternity
allowances,” Senator Campbell said.
“International and imperial
relations were also a feature of Andrew Fisher’s
governments. His government took office a month
after World War I began and directed the early
offensive operations carried out in New Guinea.
It also sent the first Australian troops to Egypt,
from where they were despatched to Gallipoli.
“Andrew Fisher died in 1928
and is buried in Hampstead, London. More than
$3,500 will be used to restore the grave, including
fixing kerbs, re-laying the paving, and cleaning
the area.”
Funding is provided through
the Australian Government’s Commemoration of Historic
Events and Famous Persons programme.
Rob Broadfield.
