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Peter LalorPeter Lalor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Peter Lalor (pronounced "Lawler") creates a problem for those who wish to interpret a complex three dimensional world into the highly limited and simplistic one dimensional concepts such as "left" and "right". Like many significant Australians, he thought deeply about the issues of his day, formed deeply held beliefs and acted on them. Although Lalor's beliefs and actions were consistent (and internally consistent) from his crucial time at the Eureka Stockade until his death, they don't fit easily into certain current forms of dumbed down social understanding. One solution to this problem has been for some people to describe Lalor as "a good thing" for part of his life and "a bad thing" for other parts of his life. Another common solution has been to ignore the parts of his life that are inconvenient and turn him into a subtractive myth.
In a speech to the Victorian Legislative Council in 1856, Peter Lalor said:
"I would ask these gentlemen what they mean by the term 'democracy'. do they mean Chartism or Communism or Republicanism? If so, I never was, I am not now, nor do I ever intend to be a democrat. But if a democrat means opposition to a tyrannical press, a tyrannical people, or a tyrannical government, then I have been, I am still, and will ever remain a democrat."
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In 1889, the dying Peter Lalor looked back on Eureka:
"'Tis better as it is now. We not only got all we fought for, but a little more. It is sweet and pleasant to die for one's country, but it is sweeter to live and see the principles for which you have risked your life triumphant. I can look back calmly on those days. We were driven to do what we did by petty malice and spite."
Peter Lalor is still commemorated with number of places and institutions named after him. There is the Melbourne suburb of Lalor, the Peter Lalor Secondary College and the electorate of Lalor to name a few.
The grave of Peter Lalor is visited on the Walking Tour of Melbourne General Cemetery.
Peter
Lalor, the Man From Eureka
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This book is now out of print.
However, a copy may be available at Peter
Lalor, the Man From Eureka |
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A new edition of Raffaello Carboni's famous eyewitness account of the
conflict at Eureka in 1854, now set in the context of modern Republican
debate by Thomas
Keneally's new introduction. It remains a vivid narrative and
detailed contemporary version of the events surrounding the Eureka
rebellion.
Buy this book now online from amazon.com |
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TOURISM NEWSQantas In Flight Magazine chooses White Hat Cemetery Tour as its featured Australian tour for May
There are many fine historical tours throughout Australia including cemetery tours. From these, the prestigious Qantas In Flight Magazine has chosen the White Hat Tour of Melbourne Cemetery as its featured Australian tour for the May 2007 edition. This tour was also featured by ABC radio on 24 May and will feature in a documentary series on Burke and Wills to be shown on European television in 2008. The tour has been operating for many years and has won praise from a wide range of sources. This is not a dry and stuffy tour but in keeping with all White Hat offerings it is Informed, Intelligent, Independent (and occasionally) Irreverent. You can find details of the tour at White Hat Tour of Melbourne Cemetery and view the article at Qantas In Flight Magazine. |
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