The final link connecting the state capitals Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
The Final Link
The completion of the Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge marked a significant milestone in the history of Australia's railway system. Connecting the Sydney to Newcastle Railway, this bridge was not merely an engineering achievement; it symbolized the unification of the railway networks across Australia. For the first time, the rail systems of South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland were joined by continuous rail, creating a seamless link across the eastern part of the country.
Sir Henry Parkes, often referred to as the 'Father of Federation,' recognized the importance of this achievement. At the opening of the bridge in 1889, he delivered an address, which some historians argue was his first speech advocating for Federation. Parkes used the bridge as a metaphor for the greater unity he envisioned for Australia—a federation of colonies working together as one nation.
Sir Henry Parkes
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