Sydney Harbour Bridge In Australia

The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 had great significance in Australian society. The bridge, an architectural marvel, cemented Australia’s status as a rising nation, joined Sydney’s two shores, alleviated the effects of the great depression and the opening provided a stage for the theatrics of the semi-fascist New Guard.

Nationally, the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge marked a huge step forward for Australia. The Bridge’s strong, impressive form gave an idea of strength and success the not only reflected well on Australia, but also gave credit to the motherland, England. On the bridge’s 75th Anniversary Ceremony, Malcolm Turnball remarked “It immediately became to Sydney what the Eiffel Tower was to Paris and the Statue of Liberty to New York; an expression in steel of the energy, the confidence and the promise of a global city.” The new bridge was Australia’s first internationally recognisable construction and it demonstrated to the rest of the world that Sydney, and Australia were prospering and successful, even if they were amongst the hardest hit by the great depression.
Perhaps most outraged by this decision was the New Guard a radical semi-fascist paramilitary group who deemed Lang to be someone ‘masquerading as premier’.
On the day of the opening Francis De Groot, a member of the New Guard gate crashed the ceremony and managed to beat Jack Lang to cutting of the ribbon, which he slashed with his sword, whilst on horseback, donning military uniform. This event was significant because it marked the most prominent act of resistance to the government by the New Guard, at a time filled disillusionment and disgust with party