Guest Speaker – Ann Barton

Ann gave us a very entertaining overview of the life of Sir Edmund Barton, particularly his contribution to the federation of the six British colonies into the nation of Australia.  Barton essentially took over the baton from Henry Parkes and toured extensively around the colonies to promote the federation cause. At one meeting he was addressing an estimated 14,000 people!  He was an adept public speaker with a great sense of humour and an excellent grasp of the issues.  Barton was also intimately involved in the drafting of the constitution and led the delegation that travelled to London to shepherd the act through the UK parliament. 

On Christmas Eve 1900 Barton was asked to form the first government of Australia.  Federation was celebrated by massive parties around the country on New Year’s Day 1901.  The first parliament met in May 1901 in the Exhibition Building in Melbourne.

Barton was known as someone who enjoyed a feed and a drink – to the extent that a Bulletin journalist bestowed on him the name “Toby Tosspot”.

Barton served as Prime Minister until 1903, when he accepted an invitation to join the initial bench of the High Court.  He had finally accepted a knighthood in 1902, after declining it several times since the late 1880’s.  He served on the High Court until his death in 1920.  He remains the only Australian who has been both Prime Minister and a justice of the High Court.

Trevor McGilton gave the vote of thanks and presented Ann with the customary pen set.

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