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Indignation in the Colony, The Failed Royal Assassination exhibition

Indignation in the Colony, The Failed Royal Assassination exhibition

​Parliamentary Education's latest exhibition 'Indignation in the Colony' is on display now in the Legislative Assembly foyer. 

In March 1868, Irishman Henry James O’Farrell attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Alfred Duke of Edinburgh, the first member of the royal family to visit Australia. What followed would unite the nascent NSW colony.

Twenty thousand people made the long journey to Hyde Park, mostly by foot, to protest the assassination attempt. Parliament quickly legislated a response to O’Farrell who had pulled the trigger. Community relief after Prince Alfred survived saw large sums donated to establish a hospital in his name – the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital opened in 1882.

The display includes:

  • Bullet replica and medal gifted to the surgical team by Queen Victoria
  • Golden probe used to remove the bullet
  • Hansard recording the Parliament's reaction
  • Historical images depicting the harbour illumination to celebrate the Prince's arrival

 

The exhibition will be on display until end of July.

The Parliament of New South Wales acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of all Aboriginal people, and pays respects to all Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Parliament of New South Wales stands.