The Trustee For Henry Parkes FoundationRegistered

Dedicated to Henry Parkes vision for a just, open and equitable society, the Foundation's activities aim to enhance Australians understanding of the political and constitutional systems that underpin Australian democracy, as well as to encourage people to participate productively in civic life. Annual orations invite a distinguished speaker to focus on challenging social/political issues in Australian society, with some reference to the ideals and objectives of Parkes. The 21st oration, held in Tenterfield NSW on 21st October 2023, saw former NSW MP and Minister for Education, Professor the Hon. Adrian Piccoli, make the case that the unacceptably large difference in educational attainment between people who live in rural and regional Australia compared to those who live in metropolitan centres demands urgent policy attention not just as a social equity problem, but for economic reasons as well. Through its funding programs, the Foundation made donations in 202324 to two cultural institutions (registered charities) in the furtherance of its aims. The first was to the Museum of Australian Democracy, whose civic education programs target both children and adults, with an emphasis on building participation and engagement across Australia through innovative digital strategies. The second was to the State Library of New South Wales, for its important work in continuing to digitise and make available to researchers the historically significant original material in its collection relating to Henry Parkes, documenting the development of democratic processes in NSW and Parkes role in bringing about the Federation of the Colonies.