The Arch That Cut the Sky — Part Four
Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists©
Part Four
As the opening day of the Sydney Harbour Bridge approached on 19 March 1932, the city spared no expense in its celebrations. A huge garden party for 2,500 guests was held at Government House, while the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress hosted the lavish Sydney Harbour Bridge Ball at the Town Hall. Essay competitions were held for schoolchildren, with one young critic, ten-year-old Mavis Combo of Cabbage Tree Island Aboriginal School, approving of the finished Bridge and praising Bradfield's decision to oppose underground schemes in favor of open-air travel.
A "goodwill scroll" made its way from Tottenham, Victoria, collecting well-wishes from hundreds of students at 72 schools before being delivered to Premier Jack Lang and Governor Game by the captains of Fort Street Boys' and Girls' High Schools. On 16 March, Children's Day saw over 10,000 students from 194 schools across New South Wales walk across the Bridge, braving wet and windy conditions.
Traveling great distances to attend the opening was commonplace, with nine-year-old Lennie Gwyther riding his horse Ginger Mick alone for four months from rural Victoria to Sydney — a journey of almost 621 miles (1,000 kilometers). As a reward for his bravery, Lennie was invited to the official opening and proudly rode Ginger Mick across the Bridge's span.
However, the opening ceremony was not without controversy. Premier Lang, known for his dislike of excess and ceremony, clashed with those loyal to the British monarchy who demanded that King George VI or Governor-General Philip Game open the Bridge. Security was increased in response to threats of disruption. The unrest came to a head when Francis De Groot, a member of the paramilitary New Guard, rode on horseback to the front of the assembly and sliced the ceremonial ribbon with his sword, declaring the Bridge open "in the name of the decent and respectable people of New South Wales." De Groot was swiftly arrested and later fined, but not before Premier Lang retied the ribbon and officially declared the Sydney Harbour Bridge open, accompanied by a 21-gun salute.
Bradfield, having worked tirelessly to make the Bridge a reality, arrived early to ensure everything met his exacting standards. In his speech, he thanked the workmen who had "responded to the trusts we placed in them" and "built the bridge a credit to industrial Australia.” As many as one million people attended the opening celebrations, which included a parade, floats, and the first fireworks display from the Bridge. The ceremony was broadcast nationally and to the United Kingdom and United States, cementing Sydney's status as an international city ready to take its place on the world stage.
The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge left an immediate and lasting legacy, with some parents even christening their newborns Bridget, Archie, Sydney, and Archibald that year. Indisputably, the Bridge had transformed Sydney, and its impact would continue to shape the city for generations to come. The story is based on the podcast series "The Bridge: The Arch that Cut the Sky,” created with the support of the State Library of New South Wales Foundation. You can support it by listening at the thebridge.sl.nsw.gov.au.
Please note that the photographs used in this story are sourced from the State Library of New South Wales Foundation website for the podcast. These images are not our intellectual property and are used solely for non-commercial purposes.
Part Four
As the opening day of the Sydney Harbour Bridge approached on 19 March 1932, the city spared no expense in its celebrations. A huge garden party for 2,500 guests was held at Government House, while the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress hosted the lavish Sydney Harbour Bridge Ball at the Town Hall. Essay competitions were held for schoolchildren, with one young critic, ten-year-old Mavis Combo of Cabbage Tree Island Aboriginal School, approving of the finished Bridge and praising Bradfield's decision to oppose underground schemes in favor of open-air travel.
A "goodwill scroll" made its way from Tottenham, Victoria, collecting well-wishes from hundreds of students at 72 schools before being delivered to Premier Jack Lang and Governor Game by the captains of Fort Street Boys' and Girls' High Schools. On 16 March, Children's Day saw over 10,000 students from 194 schools across New South Wales walk across the Bridge, braving wet and windy conditions.
Traveling great distances to attend the opening was commonplace, with nine-year-old Lennie Gwyther riding his horse Ginger Mick alone for four months from rural Victoria to Sydney — a journey of almost 621 miles (1,000 kilometers). As a reward for his bravery, Lennie was invited to the official opening and proudly rode Ginger Mick across the Bridge's span.
However, the opening ceremony was not without controversy. Premier Lang, known for his dislike of excess and ceremony, clashed with those loyal to the British monarchy who demanded that King George VI or Governor-General Philip Game open the Bridge. Security was increased in response to threats of disruption. The unrest came to a head when Francis De Groot, a member of the paramilitary New Guard, rode on horseback to the front of the assembly and sliced the ceremonial ribbon with his sword, declaring the Bridge open "in the name of the decent and respectable people of New South Wales." De Groot was swiftly arrested and later fined, but not before Premier Lang retied the ribbon and officially declared the Sydney Harbour Bridge open, accompanied by a 21-gun salute.
Bradfield, having worked tirelessly to make the Bridge a reality, arrived early to ensure everything met his exacting standards. In his speech, he thanked the workmen who had "responded to the trusts we placed in them" and "built the bridge a credit to industrial Australia.” As many as one million people attended the opening celebrations, which included a parade, floats, and the first fireworks display from the Bridge. The ceremony was broadcast nationally and to the United Kingdom and United States, cementing Sydney's status as an international city ready to take its place on the world stage.
The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge left an immediate and lasting legacy, with some parents even christening their newborns Bridget, Archie, Sydney, and Archibald that year. Indisputably, the Bridge had transformed Sydney, and its impact would continue to shape the city for generations to come. The story is based on the podcast series "The Bridge: The Arch that Cut the Sky,” created with the support of the State Library of New South Wales Foundation. You can support it by listening at the thebridge.sl.nsw.gov.au.
Please note that the photographs used in this story are sourced from the State Library of New South Wales Foundation website for the podcast. These images are not our intellectual property and are used solely for non-commercial purposes.
The Arch That Cut the Sky — Part Four
Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists©
Part Four
As the opening day of the Sydney Harbour Bridge approached on 19 March 1932, the city spared no expense in its celebrations. A huge garden party for 2,500 guests was held at Government House, while the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress hosted the lavish Sydney Harbour Bridge Ball at the Town Hall. Essay competitions were held for schoolchildren, with one young critic, ten-year-old Mavis Combo of Cabbage Tree Island Aboriginal School, approving of the finished Bridge and praising Bradfield's decision to oppose underground schemes in favor of open-air travel.
A "goodwill scroll" made its way from Tottenham, Victoria, collecting well-wishes from hundreds of students at 72 schools before being delivered to Premier Jack Lang and Governor Game by the captains of Fort Street Boys' and Girls' High Schools. On 16 March, Children's Day saw over 10,000 students from 194 schools across New South Wales walk across the Bridge, braving wet and windy conditions.
Traveling great distances to attend the opening was commonplace, with nine-year-old Lennie Gwyther riding his horse Ginger Mick alone for four months from rural Victoria to Sydney — a journey of almost 621 miles (1,000 kilometers). As a reward for his bravery, Lennie was invited to the official opening and proudly rode Ginger Mick across the Bridge's span.
However, the opening ceremony was not without controversy. Premier Lang, known for his dislike of excess and ceremony, clashed with those loyal to the British monarchy who demanded that King George VI or Governor-General Philip Game open the Bridge. Security was increased in response to threats of disruption. The unrest came to a head when Francis De Groot, a member of the paramilitary New Guard, rode on horseback to the front of the assembly and sliced the ceremonial ribbon with his sword, declaring the Bridge open "in the name of the decent and respectable people of New South Wales." De Groot was swiftly arrested and later fined, but not before Premier Lang retied the ribbon and officially declared the Sydney Harbour Bridge open, accompanied by a 21-gun salute.
Bradfield, having worked tirelessly to make the Bridge a reality, arrived early to ensure everything met his exacting standards. In his speech, he thanked the workmen who had "responded to the trusts we placed in them" and "built the bridge a credit to industrial Australia.” As many as one million people attended the opening celebrations, which included a parade, floats, and the first fireworks display from the Bridge. The ceremony was broadcast nationally and to the United Kingdom and United States, cementing Sydney's status as an international city ready to take its place on the world stage.
The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge left an immediate and lasting legacy, with some parents even christening their newborns Bridget, Archie, Sydney, and Archibald that year. Indisputably, the Bridge had transformed Sydney, and its impact would continue to shape the city for generations to come. The story is based on the podcast series "The Bridge: The Arch that Cut the Sky,” created with the support of the State Library of New South Wales Foundation. You can support it by listening at the thebridge.sl.nsw.gov.au.
Please note that the photographs used in this story are sourced from the State Library of New South Wales Foundation website for the podcast. These images are not our intellectual property and are used solely for non-commercial purposes.
Part Four
As the opening day of the Sydney Harbour Bridge approached on 19 March 1932, the city spared no expense in its celebrations. A huge garden party for 2,500 guests was held at Government House, while the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress hosted the lavish Sydney Harbour Bridge Ball at the Town Hall. Essay competitions were held for schoolchildren, with one young critic, ten-year-old Mavis Combo of Cabbage Tree Island Aboriginal School, approving of the finished Bridge and praising Bradfield's decision to oppose underground schemes in favor of open-air travel.
A "goodwill scroll" made its way from Tottenham, Victoria, collecting well-wishes from hundreds of students at 72 schools before being delivered to Premier Jack Lang and Governor Game by the captains of Fort Street Boys' and Girls' High Schools. On 16 March, Children's Day saw over 10,000 students from 194 schools across New South Wales walk across the Bridge, braving wet and windy conditions.
Traveling great distances to attend the opening was commonplace, with nine-year-old Lennie Gwyther riding his horse Ginger Mick alone for four months from rural Victoria to Sydney — a journey of almost 621 miles (1,000 kilometers). As a reward for his bravery, Lennie was invited to the official opening and proudly rode Ginger Mick across the Bridge's span.
However, the opening ceremony was not without controversy. Premier Lang, known for his dislike of excess and ceremony, clashed with those loyal to the British monarchy who demanded that King George VI or Governor-General Philip Game open the Bridge. Security was increased in response to threats of disruption. The unrest came to a head when Francis De Groot, a member of the paramilitary New Guard, rode on horseback to the front of the assembly and sliced the ceremonial ribbon with his sword, declaring the Bridge open "in the name of the decent and respectable people of New South Wales." De Groot was swiftly arrested and later fined, but not before Premier Lang retied the ribbon and officially declared the Sydney Harbour Bridge open, accompanied by a 21-gun salute.
Bradfield, having worked tirelessly to make the Bridge a reality, arrived early to ensure everything met his exacting standards. In his speech, he thanked the workmen who had "responded to the trusts we placed in them" and "built the bridge a credit to industrial Australia.” As many as one million people attended the opening celebrations, which included a parade, floats, and the first fireworks display from the Bridge. The ceremony was broadcast nationally and to the United Kingdom and United States, cementing Sydney's status as an international city ready to take its place on the world stage.
The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge left an immediate and lasting legacy, with some parents even christening their newborns Bridget, Archie, Sydney, and Archibald that year. Indisputably, the Bridge had transformed Sydney, and its impact would continue to shape the city for generations to come. The story is based on the podcast series "The Bridge: The Arch that Cut the Sky,” created with the support of the State Library of New South Wales Foundation. You can support it by listening at the thebridge.sl.nsw.gov.au.
Please note that the photographs used in this story are sourced from the State Library of New South Wales Foundation website for the podcast. These images are not our intellectual property and are used solely for non-commercial purposes.
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