68-692: The Sydney Cenotaph is a heritage-listed monument located in Martin Place , in Sydney , New South Wales , Australia. It was designed by Bertram Mackennal and built from 1927 to 1929 by Dorman Long & Co . It is also known as Martin Place Memorial and The Cenotaph . It is one of the oldest World War I monuments in central Sydney. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 11 November 2009. The cenotaph takes
136-714: A 'tomb on pylon, inscribed only with words composed by the Prime Minister, Lloyd George , "The Glorious Dead" '. Installed temporarily to be saluted by troops of the empire during the victory march through London on 19 July 1919, the London Cenotaph spoke so powerfully to bereaved people that Lutyens had to make it again in stone'. It was unusual for the NSW Government to fund a war memorial, since almost all memorials were organised and funded by voluntary committees rather than by government. Lang had opposed conscription during
204-554: A 970mm stepped base, which runs east to west following the street alignment of Martin Place. It is positioned directly over the Tank Stream which flows in an underground channel beneath it. The larger than life size sculptures of servicemen at the east and west ends are by Australian expatriate sculptor Bertram Mackennal and stand on Moruya granite plinths . The eastern sculpture is of an infantryman from Gallipoli, Private William Pigot Derby,
272-542: A Cenotaph commemorating the WWI dead was erected. Soon after, the Sydney Municipal Council proposed to extend the street further east towards Macquarie Street . However, the plan was delayed by concerted opposition from landowners of the buildings that would have to be demolished to make way for the extension. One of the buildings demolished to make way for the extended Martin Place was St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, on
340-581: A Lance Sergeant, ending his AIF service as a medical orderly at the military hospital at Randwick . He died in Queensland at the age of 63. Leading Seaman John William Varcoe, RAN, was born at Bakers Swamp in 1897. He entered the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on 3 June 1913 and trained in Training Ship Tingara. Varcoe was drafted to HMVS Cerberus and HMAS Pioneer before joining
408-528: A Metro station located underneath the existing train station and opened in August 2024. From its origins as a narrow laneway, Martin Place has over time become the "civic heart" of Sydney. Apart from its central location, the presence of the General Post Office and its attached telegraph office meant that this was the location where important news first arrived in the city. As a result, in earlier decades this
476-481: A broad and open connection between George Street, the original "High Street" and commercial axis, and Macquarie Street, the ceremonial avenue and governmental axis. People still gather on the plaza today to participate in significant events, for example to watch live broadcasts on a large television screen during the 2000 Summer Olympics , or the apology to the Stolen Generation in 2008 . An amphitheatre built into
544-696: A focus for Australian mourning and memory. Visiting dignitaries often place wreaths on the Cenotaph. On 4 July 1942, for instance, US troops stationed in Australia laid wreaths on the Cenotaph on the US Independence Day , in memory of the US troops who died in the defence of the Philippines. A proposal to add sculptures of an airman and a nurse in 1962 did not come to fruition. Many people, even former aircrew, agreed that it
612-561: A focus for commemoration and mourning for the sacrifices of the Great War. In November 1924, the Sunday Times reported a plea by Fred Davison, a senior RSL member. He advocated building a memorial in Martin Place where so many appeals and recruiting rallies had been held during the war, and where so many commemorative events had been held since the end of the war. Hugh D. McIntosh, proprietor of
680-625: A master mariner, and Mary née Grant, Kelly was educated at Christian Brothers’, Enniscorthy and the Classical Academy, New Ross . Kelly received his seminary formation at St Peter's College, Wexford . and the Irish College in Rome , before being ordained at Enniscorthy on 1 November 1872 by Bishop Thomas Furlong. Kelly served on the staff of the House of Missions, Wexford and was made vice-rector of
748-498: A number of heritage-listed buildings in Martin Place, including: George Street, Elizabeth Street, and Castlereagh Street, which cross Martin Place, are all major bus routes in Sydney's CBD . In addition, Martin Place railway station is located underground. Also nearby are St James railway station (near Macquarie Street end) and Wynyard railway station (near George Street end). The new Sydney Metro City & Southwest line includes
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#1732845348897816-541: A principal monument in NSW to the servicemen and women who died on active service in war. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales. The Cenotaph is of State significance for its representative role as one of the most prominent war memorials in NSW. The Cenotaph occupies a mid-way position between major State monuments (such as
884-452: A royal tour through Martin Place. A number of the street's older buildings were demolished in this period to make way for modernist buildings. The most prominent of these is 25 Martin Place , designed by Harry Seidler . Martin Place has a large collection of buildings of various styles, from neo-classical to contemporary. Several buildings located at Martin Place have been demolished: Other features of Martin Place include: There are
952-531: A speech by Sir John Monash . Made of granite, it weighs 20 tonnes (20 long tons; 22 short tons). The Dawn Service arose from events during the erection of the Cenotaph. At dawn on Anzac Day , 25 April 1927, five returned men happened upon an elderly woman laying a wreath at the still incomplete Cenotaph. Impressed by the solemnity of the moment, they convinced the secretary of the Australian Legion (E. A. Rushbrook MBE) to conduct an official service at dawn at
1020-470: A submarine. Parramatta continued with the tow until relieved by a tug. Varcoe had been aboard Orione and for his efforts in maintaining communications he was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal . He was discharged from the Navy at Sydney on 8 April 1928. A ceremony of dedication had been held on 8 August 1927. The completed memorial was officially unveiled by NSW Premier Thomas Bavin on 21 February 1929 with
1088-483: Is also of State significance for its association with the people and organisations that have commemorated those lives lost at war, especially the Returned Servicemen's League (RSL), which maintains a custodial role over the monument. Prominent individuals associated with the Cenotaph include its sculptor, Bertram Mackennal (the first Australian-born artist to be knighted), JJ Bradfield who supervised its erection and
1156-578: Is also rare as the only war memorial to be positioned in Martin Place, where historical gatherings concerning Australian war efforts have been typically held, for example recruitment drives and victory day celebrations. It is also rare as a memorial which was commissioned by the State Government rather than by a local community. Along with the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, the Cenotaph is widely regarded as
1224-480: Is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales. The Cenotaph is of State historical significance for its embodiment of collective grief at the loss of Australian servicemen and women's lives in World War I. It provides compelling evidence of the impact of the Great War on the people of NSW. The Cenotaph is also of historical significance for its role in inaugurating
1292-445: Is surrounded by many heritage buildings and features the 1927 World War I Sydney Cenotaph , water fountain, entertainment area, railway access and pedestrian seating. Today's Martin Place was built in several phases. Until the late 19th century, only the section between Pitt Street and Castlereagh Street existed in anything resembling the present form, as a short street named Moore Street . Between Pitt Street and George Street there
1360-498: The Irish College in Rome in 1891. In 1894 he become rector of the college and as such an important figure in Anglophone Catholicism. Elected Archbishop of Achrida In Partibus Infidelium and coadjutor cum jure successionis of Sydney on 20 July 1901, Kelly received episcopal consecration as coadjutor archbishop on 15 August 1901 at St Joachim's Church, Rome, by Cardinal Francesco Satolli . Kelly eventually succeeded to
1428-470: The Martin Place railway station below street level. Other cross streets include Pitt Street , Castlereagh Street , Elizabeth Street and Phillip Street . The initial "Martin Place" was the section between George Street and Pitt Street, officially opened 1892, and was named in honour of Sir James Martin , the three time Premier of New South Wales and Chief Justice of Supreme Court of New South Wales . Closed to traffic in stages from 1971, Martin Place
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#17328453488971496-513: The New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 14 October 2018. Martin Place Martin Place is a pedestrian mall in the Sydney central business district , New South Wales , Australia . Martin Place has been described as the "civic heart" of Sydney. As home to
1564-561: The Reserve Bank of Australia , the Commonwealth Bank , Macquarie Bank , Westpac and other corporations, it is also a centre of business and finance. The Sydney GPO is also located on Martin Place. Martin Place has become a national Australian icon in popular culture for attracting high-end film and television productions and actors to the area. Martin Place runs between George Street and Macquarie Street , and provides entrances to
1632-576: The Returned & Services League or RSL), Dean Talbot, to offer a prayer at the service. By 1930 a crowd of 2,000 attended and a bugler was added. The following year, the Governor 's presence made the dawn service even more official. Most of these elements are retained in the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Sydney's Cenotaph, which still attracts large crowds every year. When historian Charles Bean attended
1700-445: The badge which Australian soldiers of the AIF wore on their slouch hats brings a complex imagery into play at every Dawn Service. Since the first Anzac Day ceremony was held at the Cenotaph in 1928, it began to emerge as the major focus for mourning and commemoration in NSW. The Cenotaph has gained a sacrosanct place in the history of war memorial services in NSW. Furthermore, it is not only
1768-510: The "Dawn Service" on Anzac Day in 1928, the year it was opened, a tradition now observed on Anzac Day throughout Australia and internationally (for example, at Gallipoli in Turkey). Unlike most other war memorials in Australia, the Cenotaph, meaning "empty tomb", does not name individuals, but instead mourns and commemorates the communal sacrifice of lives lost at war. Positioned in Martin Place where so many recruiting rallies and wartime events occurred,
1836-472: The 1931 Dawn Service at Wellington , he observed that holding the service at this time was appropriate since dawn was usually the hour when the major battles of the Great War had commenced. The idea of the Dawn Service has been extended to other states as well. The rising sun with its promise of a bright new day, the memory of the tension of waiting for the whistle blast that signalled the order to advance and
1904-515: The 1950s. Populus alba were planted on the axis of the Cenotaph at eastern and western ends 1970s. The model for the soldier was Private William Pigott Darby from the 15th Infantry Battalion ( Gallipoli & the Western Front ; wounded at Pozières ) and 4th Field Ambulance AIF. A native of Monasterevin, Ireland (born 25 April 1872), he died in Brisbane on 15 November 1935. The model for the sailor
1972-499: The Anzac Memorial in Sydney's Hyde Park or the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne ) and the innumerable small town memorials erected by local communities across Australia. Unlike them, it does not commemorate the death of specific individuals but memorializes the sacrifices made by all who served. [REDACTED] This Misplaced Pages article contains material from Cenotaph , entry number 1799 in
2040-543: The Anzac legend from the 1970s onward have focused their protests on the Cenotaph at Martin Place. The conversion of Martin Place into a pedestrian plaza from the 1960s onward reduced threats to the monument from traffic. The Cenotaph in Martin Place is a restrained memorial designed as a granite altar with a bronze serviceman at each end. The altar stone, quarried in Moruya in 1927, is 3.05m long, 1.65m wide and 1.25m high sitting above
2108-635: The Armistice in November 1918, of a total of 331,781 enlistments who had embarked for overseas, 215,585 service personnel, a proportion of nearly 65%, had become casualties. Many of these men had died rather than being wounded. Grief was widespread across the community. Due to a delay in the completion of the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park , the Cenotaph was built in Martin Place to serve the needs of people who needed
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2176-491: The Cenotaph is physically and symbolically linked to the Australian experience of the Great War. The place has a strong or special association with a person, or group of persons, of importance of cultural or natural history of New South Wales's history. The Cenotaph of State significance for its historical association with the servicemen and women whose loss of life has been commemorated in services focused on it since 1928. It
2244-618: The Cenotaph. Most importantly, it is the centre for Sydney's main Anzac and Armistice Day dawn service ceremonies, regularly drawing thousands of attendees. In 1914, Australia volunteered to help the United Kingdom when it declared war, and despatched troops to fight in what soon became known as the Great War . Australians fought in the Middle East and Europe. Casualties were severe. By the time of
2312-512: The NSW premier JT Lang whose government funded it. The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. The Cenotaph is of State significance as an Australian reworking of the British prototype cenotaph developed by Edwin Lutyens for Whitehall in 1919. It is also significant as a well-known, restrained example of
2380-455: The See of Sydney on 16 August 1911 on the death of Cardinal Moran . During the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, Kelly publicly criticised the federal government's "impious refusal" to allow Catholic priests to minister to dying victims, in particular nurse Annie Egan who died without receiving the last rites . He sent a telegram of protest to acting prime minister William Watt , and then when no response
2448-554: The Sunday Times persuaded the new Premier Jack Lang in 1925 to set aside £ 10,000 to erect a cenotaph. Unlike most other war memorials in Australia, the Martin Place Cenotaph, meaning "empty tomb", does not name individuals, but instead mourns and commemorates the communal sacrifice of lives lost at war. It was based an Australian reworking of a new type of memorial developed in London by Edwin Lutyens for Whitehall in 1919 as
2516-567: The Sydney Cenotaph on 25 April 1928. Conceived as an opportunity to lay wreaths and remember the Anzacs in silence, it began at 4.30 am, the time when the first Anzacs landed at Gallipoli. It was not advertised but attracted 150 people in its first year. Public interest encouraged the organisers to invite the president of the Returned Soldiers' Sailors' Imperial League of Australia (later renamed
2584-452: The army. He was part of the Anzac force that landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, the morning of his 43rd birthday and served as a stretcher-bearer with 15 Infantry Battalion and later 4 Field Ambulance. He was part of the Anzac force that served at The Somme , where he was blown up and deafened in a shell explosion on 12 August 1916. He returned to Australia in January 1918 and was discharged as
2652-422: The communal sacrifice of lives lost at war. This makes it both representative and rare as a war memorial. The Cenotaph is of State significance for its historical association with those who lost their lives at war and with those who have mourned them. It is of State aesthetic significance as an Australian reworking of the British prototype cenotaph developed by Edwin Lutyens for Whitehall in 1919, and as an example of
2720-546: The construction of Martin Place railway station under the eastern section of the street. Martin Place was closed between Macquarie and Phillip Streets from January 1972 to facilitate the station's construction. The station opened in 1979. Leo Port , the Lord Mayor of Sydney was an advocate of civic design, and was partly responsible for the pedestrianisation of Martin Place and Sydney Square. In May 1980, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh made
2788-431: The cultural or natural history of New South Wales. It does not appear to meet this criterion of State significance. The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The Cenotaph is of State significance for its rarity in NSW as a war memorial that does not name individuals, but instead mourns and commemorates the communal sacrifice of lives lost at war. It
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2856-463: The destroyer HMAS Parramatta (D55) in 1917. By then a signalman, he served in Parramatta until 20 July 1919. The destroyer was one of six RAN River Class destroyers based at Brindisi, Italy. On 15 November 1917, an Italian steamer, Orione , was torpedoed while on passage from Valona to Brindisi. Parramatta took Orione in tow and, while setting up the tow, the two ships were again attacked by
2924-410: The east side of Phillip Street, which was replaced by the present church on Macquarie Street in 1935. The extension was finally completed in 1935, resulting in the Martin Place stretching from George Street to Macquarie Street seen today. The increasingly important role of Martin Place as the "heart" or "town square" of Sydney (see " Events " below) led to calls for the street to be pedestrianised. This
2992-489: The entire southern frontage of the street. Both Moore Street and Martin Place became prominent centres of business and finance in Sydney. In 1913, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Bank was constructed on the corner of Moore Street and Pitt Street. In later years, other banks followed with a range of impressive buildings (see " Architecture " below). In 1921, Moore Street was renamed as part of Martin Place. Conscription rallies for World War I took place here. In 1927,
3060-515: The existing laneway into a street connected to Moore Street. A fire which destroyed properties to the north of the laneway provided the impetus for the construction, and in 1892 (a year after the Venetian-Italianate-style General Post Office was completed) the widened street was officially opened and named "Martin Place", in honour of New South Wales premier and Chief Justice James Martin. The General Post Office occupied
3128-496: The figures were also criticised for being "at ease" without their arms reversed - the normal mourning stance for military personnel at memorial ceremonies. Mackennal responded: "Memorial not a tomb. Figures not mourning. Guarding altar of remembrance.". In the words of Ken Inglis 'it may have been the very blankness of Mackennal's Cenotaph... that allowed so many people over the years to feel comforted in its presence'. In March 1927, Mackennal arranged for Dorman Long & Co to erect
3196-485: The form of a monolithic stone block in a sepulchral shape. At its two shorter ends stand two bronze statues, a soldier and a sailor guarding the cenotaph. Words are carved into the longer faces of the cenotaph: on the southern side, facing the General Post Office , the carving reads: "To Our Glorious Dead"; on the northern side, facing Challis House, it reads: "Lest We Forget." Remembrance events are frequently held at
3264-449: The granite block being prepared at Moruya. Similarly, there are photographs of the positioning of the main slab with a block and tackle using Yale Spur-geared Blocks. The monument was designed with the images of two servicemen cast in bronze on either side of a central plinth, topped by a bronze wreath. They were modelled on two real returned servicemen. The soldier was based on Private William Pigott Darby who had served at Gallipoli while
3332-664: The granite pedestal and John Bradfield (who was on the Memorial Committee) to supervise. The 23 stones in the pedestal were all carefully arranged so that any white or black markings would not be noticeable. The main block of granite came from the Moruya quarry of Dorman Long & Co, where on 9 July 1927, Bradfield oversaw the cutting of the granite. All the dressing and lettering was completed at Moruya by Bill Benzie and Mr Joe Wallace. Italian stonemason Fueravante Cadiccio came to Sydney to erect it. State Records NSW holds photographs of
3400-408: The inauguration of the Dawn Service, a major part of every Anzac Day ceremony, enhances its association with a deeply felt strand of popular remembrance. Positioned in a pedestrian thoroughfare in Sydney's central business district it maintains a solemn reminder of the sacrifices that Australians have made at war. The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of
3468-407: The loss of life by Australian servicemen in World War I. It is also of historical significance to the State for its role in inaugurating the "Dawn Service" on Anzac Day in 1929, the year it was opened, a tradition now observed on Anzac Day throughout Australia. Unlike most other war memorials in Australia, the Cenotaph, meaning "empty tomb", does not name individuals, but instead mourns and commemorates
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#17328453488973536-429: The monumental sculpture work of Bertram Mackennal. Its design shows restrained symbolism in the simple granite altar guarded by two servicemen. The Cenotaph is of State social significance as a powerful focal point for memorial services in NSW associated with all wars and conflicts. Cenotaph was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 11 November 2009 having satisfied the following criteria. The place
3604-463: The monumental sculpture work of Bertram Mackennal. The design of this "altar of remembrance", as Mackennal described it, is unusual in its simplicity - a rectangular block of granite, flanked by realistic, slightly larger than life sized figures depicting a soldier and a sailor, standing guard. Although initially criticized for its simple sculptural qualities, 'it may have been the very blankness of Mackennal's Cenotaph . . . that allowed so many people over
3672-461: The plaza near Pitt Street has hosted music and cultural events, as well as political protests. Some regular civic events now held on Martin Place include: Some events that have occurred in Martin Place include: Film Television Michael Kelly (bishop) Michael Kelly (13 February 1850 – 8 March 1940) was an Irish-born Roman Catholic bishop who became the fourth Archbishop of Sydney . Born at Waterford , Ireland, to James Kelly,
3740-463: The project. A proposed competition to design the Cenotaph did not eventuate because Lang instead approached sculptor Sir Bertram Mackennal when he was visiting Sydney from England and commissioned him to undertake the work. A contract was signed with Mackennal on 9 March 1926. Mackennal had designed the tomb of Edward VII at Windsor and the medals for the Olympic Games of 1908. He also constructed
3808-714: The sailor was based on Leading Signalman John William Varcoe who had served in the RAN. Darby was born on 25 April 1872 in Monasterevin , Ireland. He served in the United States Army during the Spanish–American War and in 1914 then enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) at Toowoomba . He was actually 42 and not 38 as he stated on the form, presumably if he was over 40, he would not have been accepted into
3876-517: The statues of Cardinal Patrick Moran and Archbishop Michael Kelly which stand at the southern end of St Mary's Cathedral . For the Cenotaph in Martin Place, Mackennal designed a "chunky rectangular form guarded by a soldier and sailor". It was a more modest version of a sculpture he had designed for a cenotaph in Brisbane , which was never built. It was disliked by some critics at that time, such as Building magazine's George Taylor who charged that it
3944-492: The war and was involved in anti-imperialist movements. Promoting a new image of himself and his government as 'the Soldier's Friend' was one response to the growing strength of veterans' organisations. Positioned where so many recruiting rallies and wartime events occurred, the Cenotaph was directly linked to the events of the Great War. The "Memorial Committee" of the State Government, City Council and ex-service organisations oversaw
4012-417: The western is a RAN signalman, John William Varcoe. Both are depicted realistically, wearing their uniforms, packs and carrying weapons. The men stand in the "at ease" position, guarding the Cenotaph. On the top of the altar is a bronze wreath. The servicemen each face a flagpole approximately 3m from the monument. The north face of the cenotaph is inscribed on its north face, "TO OUR GLORIOUS DEAD" (similar to
4080-540: The words used in the London Cenotaph at Whitehall, 'the glorious dead'). On the south face are the words: "LEST WE FORGET". The Cenotaph and flagpoles is narrowly enclosed by a low fence of metal bollards linked by a metal chain. A white poplar tree was planted several metres from either end of the Cenotaph during the 1970s. As at 20 July 2009, Excellent physical condition. Minor modifications Bollards and chains around cenotaph apparently added by Sydney City Council in
4148-429: The years to feel comforted in its presence'. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. The Cenotaph is of State social significance for its long-time role as a ceremonial focus for memorial services by numerous veterans' organizations, individuals and groups representing civilians affected by war. Its role in
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#17328453488974216-522: Was "a mere tombstone for people to put wreaths up against". The artist Margaret Preston admired the "stern simplicity" of the stone slab but objected to the realism of the servicemen. Mackennnal's depiction may have been influenced by the sculpture designed for the Royal Artillery Memorial in London by Charles Sargeant Jagger , whose figures were also realistic rather than stylised. The designs for
4284-629: Was Leading Seaman John William Varcoe. He enlisted on 3 June 1913, served on HMAS Pioneer (1914–1916) in German East Africa and on HMAS Parramatta (1917–1919). He was awarded the Commonwealth Distinguished Service Medal in 1918 (one of 60 Australians to earn this honour) and died in October 1948. As at 12 November 2009, The Cenotaph is of State historical significance for its embodiment of collective grief at
4352-405: Was a focal point for gatherings to await or celebrate significant events. The cenotaph was sited on Martin Place outside the General Post Office because this was where crowds gathered in the city at the end of World War I . Martin Place is now the centre of the city's official war commemoration ceremonies. The extensions of the street gave it new significance in the civic scheme of the city, forming
4420-633: Was done progressively from 1971 until 1979, when the whole street became a pedestrian mall . During this period three properties, the ANZ bank, the National Mutual building, and the CML building, were saved from destruction after the NSW Builders Labourers Federation placed green bans to enforce National Trust preservation orders. The closure of the street to traffic was partly timed to coincide with
4488-403: Was more powerful as a simple symbol for all rather than as naturalistic representations of everyone who had served. Another proposal in 1954 to shift the Cenotaph came to nothing, though some chains were installed around it and the plinth was enlarged. A City Council photo of 11 August 1966 showed bollards had been installed by this date. Peace groups and feminist organisations opposed to aspects of
4556-422: Was only a small laneway (similar to nearby surviving laneways such as Angel Place or Hosking Place). In 1863, construction began on the present General Post Office Building on the south side of the laneway. The building was constructed in stages, and when the design changed to provide for a main façade on the longer north side (instead of facing George Street to the west), there were concomitant proposals to widen
4624-475: Was received attempted to enter the North Head Quarantine Station , where he was told he would be arrested if he attempted to enter. As Kelly continued his crusade for temperance and he undertook extensive fund-raising for Catholic schools. It is estimated that £12,000,000 was spent on scholastic and church properties from the time of Kelly's arrival in Sydney until his death. St Mary's Cathedral
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