Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Government House, Sydney
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales

Bujari gamarruwa

Diyn Babana Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

In greeting you in the language of the Gadigal, Traditional Owners of these lands and waterways, I pay my respect to their Elders, past, present, and future. I extend that respect to the Elders of all parts of our State from which you travel

Minister,^[1] President of the Legislative Council,^[2] Members of the Legislative Council,^[3] Members of the Legislative Assembly,^[4] friends, family, distinguished guests all,

So many wonderful stories being with what these days one might call a thought bubble. For the story of Royal Far West, whose centenary we celebrate tonight, there wouldn’t have been a thought bubble but for the fact that Reverend Stanley Drummond, Superintendent of the Methodist Far West Mission^[5], had a problematic gall bladder which required surgery.

But the thought bubble came as the Reverend was convalescing^[6] at Manly, spending time at the beach, a far cry from Drummond’s usual work, ministering in the back country beyond the Darling River,^[7] feeling the warmth of the sun, and lulled by the rolling sound of the crashing waves.

Covering 130,000 km²,^[8] the area his mission covered was vast and sparsely populated, a place where distances were measured not in miles, but in the many hours needed to traverse them. As Drummond mentioned when interviewed for an article on life ‘Out West’, published during his convalescence: “You ask how far a place is,” said Drummond, “and they tell you, ‘Oh, about 10 hours.’ It puzzled me at first, but it puzzles them to talk of miles. When one man told me that he lived ‘six hours’ away, I pointed out to him that I didn't know how far that was, and asked him, ‘What's the distance in miles?’ He didn't know. ‘How many miles is it, Bill?’ he inquired of his friend, who was almost as nonplussed as he was. Finally, they reckoned that it must be from 120 to 160 miles. The settlers grow accustomed to ‘magnificent distances’ in that country”.^[9]

Criss-crossing in his mission car, he’d come to know and love the interior’s wild beauty, as well as the people who lived there.^[10] He’d also seen the many deprivations they endured daily, particularly the children: the unrelenting heat and dust, the freezing nights, the lack of services, and isolation.^[11]

Lying on the beach, thinking of this, inspiration struck the young clergyman.^[12] Why not find a way to bring these children—many of whom had yet to see a town, let alone the sea—here, to the seashore for respite, free of cost to their parents?^[13]

The logistics would, of course, be enormous… and expensive. But, possessed with a “genial optimism”^[14], Stanley Drummond was undaunted. As his biographers would later point out, although an inspired and idealistic “man of action”,^[15] he often left details—particularly financial—to others.^[16] Luckily, those ‘others’, beginning with his indefatigable wife Lucy^[17], quickly became many.

On the 17 December he wrote to the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, outlining the appeal he was launching,^[18] and announcing that he’d enlisted Parliamentarians to accept and administer the donations through a Far West Committee.^[19]

Teachers, doctors, and clergymen in far flung stations were tasked with finding suitable candidates, with preference given, in Drummond’s words, to “children of the poorest circumstances […] irrespective of denomination”.^[20]

By late January, he could announce that sufficient funds had been raised for the first group to come. Excitement was building, he said, with children from the backblocks already gathering at the railhead in Cobar, some arriving days before the planned departure, lest they miss the  train.^[21] “One of these lads,” he wrote “[who’d been] droving 400 miles west of here […] was surprised to find that there were no trams in Cobar, but found some compensation, and not a little enjoyment, in watching a local dog-fight.”^[22]

On February 4, after boarding a specially allocated carriage, and a twenty-hour journey by rail, a party of 56 children and half-a-dozen mothers, accompanied by Drummond and his wife, arrived at Central Station.^[23] From there, they were taken in cars organised by the Royal Automobile Club to Cronulla, to enjoy a fortnight’s stay by the sea in homes loaned by the Church of England Men’s Society and the City Mission.^[24]

Their holiday would also include sightseeing trips around town, even afternoon tea with the Governor, Sir Dudley de Chair, here at Government House. They sat patiently on the lawn, listening to speeches^[25] and giving “three real bush cheers” for the Governor, before feasting on “dainties” and being taken on a tour of the House.^[26] The Governor was particularly taken, it seems, with a “freckle-faced” 10-year-old  boy, who had ridden 200 miles to Cobar to make the trip.^[27]

The success of that first trip, particularly the publicity it drew, was such that, with a surge in donations, Drummond returned to his home in Cobar before the first fortnight was over, to begin organising another party of children.^[28] Although, according to one of the children, confiding to a reporter, this was not the real reason for Drummond’s early departure: it was so he “could marry Nell Harris to Mr Bennet the policeman.”^[29]

In any case, Drummond was back in Sydney within a week, with the second of group of children, this one much larger—128 children and 14 mothers, who were provided more spacious accommodation at the Salvation Army at summer camp in Collaroy.^[30]

The following summer, in 1926, a third trip was organised, with 80 children brought to Sydney, a trip which in many ways that marked a watershed moment. This time, they came to Manly, given use of an old house opposite the Manly Wharf, next door to Dr George Moncrieff Barron’s Cottage Hospital, although apparently use of the building was given on the proviso the children wouldn’t disturb Dr Barron and his patients.^[31]

Noticing many of the children with severe health problems, Dr Barron offered his services and those of his colleagues, free of charge.^[32] When he met Stanley Drummond, the doctor apparently shook the Reverand’s hand and said, presaging the holistic wrap-around health service Far West would later become renowned for, “Padre, you look after their souls, and I’ll look after their bodies.”^[33] Dr Barron would go on to be Far West’s honorary Medical Superintendent, a post he held for the next 20 years.^[34]

By 1928, children recovering from treatment were being housed in a private guest house on the same street, given over by its owner, the indomitable Elsie Hill.^[35] A year after this, Elsie became Far West’s first Matron, remaining in the role until 1961.^[36]

It would surprise no-one that these three pioneers—Stanley Drummond, Dr Barron, and Elsie Hill—all received MBEs for their services to children’s health.^[37] The organisation they founded was given the Royal imprimatur following a visit by Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Ann in 1970.^[38]

These are but a few of the many stories of Royal Far West’s beginnings, during the early years of transition from building connection between the children of the interior and the healthiness of the sea to a more direct connection between them and the health services they deserve.

The challenges specific to the health of our regional and remote children may have changed, but challenges remain. Royal Far West has kept abreast of these changing needs as it has evolved, with a tradition of innovation second to none. Whether pioneering outreach health services across the State, or tailoring world’s-best health services at their base at Manly, Royal Far West has done nothing but excel.

In celebrating Stanley Drummond’s moment of inspiration, as well as his singular vision in championing the needs of the children of the West, we celebrate, importantly, the generations of ‘others’, the army of volunteers, supporters, and the highly expert staff and visionary CEOs who, for a century now have been expanding his vision and making it real.

The impact of the efforts of all in the Royal Far West family, in terms of the happiness, health, and improved lives brought to countless thousands of children and their families is immeasurable. It is a spirit of compassion, of communities looking out for each other, that is an inspiring exemplar of the very best we can be.

Tonight, you, the people in this room and so many others are an iconic part of our State’s story. And for that, to all involved in the continuing legacy of Royal Far West, what can I say but this:

The warmest and most heartful of thanks, and the very best for your celebrations in this, the centenary year of your foundation.

[1] The Honourable Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales, and Minister for Western New South Wales, Parliament of NSW

[2] The Honourable Benjamin Franklin MLC, President of the Legislative Council, Parliament of NSW

[3] The Honourable Scott Barrett MLC, Parliament of NSW; Dr Amanda Cohn MLC, Parliament of NSW; The Honourable Stephen Lawrence MLC, Parliament of NSW; The Honourable Natasha Maclaren-Jones MLC, Parliament of NSW; The Honourable Sarah Mitchell MLC, Parliament of NSW

[4] Mr Roy Butler MP, Member for Barwon, Parliament of NSW; Mrs Helen Dalton MP, Member for Murray, Parliament of NSW; Mr Philip Donato MP, Member for Orange, Parliament of NSW; Mr James Griffin MP, Member for Manly, Parliament of NSW; Dr Joe McGirr MP, Member for Wagga Wagga, Parliament of NSW; Mr Michael Regan MP, Member for Wakehurst, Parliament of NSW; Mr Dugald Saunders MP, Member for Dubbo, Parliament of NSW

[5] He studied at the Sydney Central Methodist Mission, before being put in charge of the Home Mission Station in Bulahdelah in 1909. He oversaw the Rysltone circuit in the years 1914 to 1918, then in Canowindra from 1919 to 1922, followed by Yass in 1923, and then Cobar, as superintendent of the Far West Mission in 1924: G. H. Cumming, ‘Bro. Revd. Stanley Gillock Drummond MBE (1884-1943)’, The Masonic Historical Society of New South Wales, paper no. 89, 20 January 2003, available here

[6] Bruce Mitchell, ‘Stanley Gillick Drummond’, Australian Dictionary of Biography online, available here. Mitchell gives the date of Drummond’s epiphany as 6 December 1924: ibid. “The Rev. Stanley G. Drummond, superintendent of the Far West Mission, who came to Sydney for medical treatment, was operated upon at the Prince Alfred Hospital last week. It was a very painful ordeal, but we believe the patient is making satisfactory progress towards recovery”: ‘Personal’, The Methodist, 4 October 1924, p.3, available here;

[7] Drummond had also been appointed “Honorary Probation Officer” for the Child Welfare Department of the Department of  Education for the districts covered by Far West Mission, in July 1924: ‘Appointment: Department of Education: Child Welfare Department’, Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales, 18 July 1924, p.3499, available here

[8] Urbis, Heritage Impact Statement; Royal Far West, Manly, 2021, p.19, available here

[9]As Drummond mentioned when interviewed for an article on life ‘Out West’, published during his convalescence: ”You ask how far a place is," says Mr. Drummond, “and they tell you, ‘Oh, about 10 hours.’ It puzzled me at first, but it puzzles them to talk of miles. When one man told me that he lived ‘six hours’ away, I pointed out to him that I didn't know how far that was, and asked him, ‘What's the distance in miles?’ He didn't know. ‘How many miles is it, Bill?’ he inquired of his friend, who was almost as nonplussed as he was. Finally they reckoned that it must be from 120 to 160 miles. The settlers grow accustomed to ‘magnificent distances’ in that country”: Stanley Drummond, quoted in ‘Out West: Life on the Darling River’, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 December 1924, p.10, available here

[10] ‘Stanley Drummond: His Life and Work’, Gilgandra Weekly, 18 November 1948, p.3, available here

[11] ibid.

[12] Drummond was 40 at the time, and described by a reporter at the time as “young and […] imbued with that genial optimism which must prove an indispensable asset in life out west”: ‘Out West: Life on the Darling River’, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 December 1924, p.10, available here

[13] Bruce Mitchell, ‘Stanley Gillick Drummond’, Australian Dictionary of Biography online, available here;

[14] ‘Out West: Life on the Darling River’, Sydney Morning Herald, 13 December 1924, p.10, available here

[15] G. H. Cumming, ‘Bro. Revd. Stanley Gillock Drummond MBE (1884-1943)’, The Masonic Historical Society of New South Wales, paper no. 89, 20 January 2003, available here

[16] Bruce Mitchell, ‘Stanley Gillick Drummond’, Australian Dictionary of Biography online, available here; “[Stanley Drummond] covered his actions by one main rule and that was that every case which came under his notice was to be regarded as a matter of urgency, and that no consideration should be allowed to delay the child's admission to hospital or treatment by a specialist. ‘Never mind to-morrow,’ he would say in his direct fashion. ’We'll attend to it now. And never mind the obstacles, we'll deal with them as we go along’”: ‘Stanley Drummond: His Life and Work’, Gilgandra Weekly, 18 November 1948, p.3, available here

[17] Lucy Doust and Stanley Drummond were married in Bowral on 13 November 1911. Lucy had been a mission sister at the Central Methodist Mission and was 8 years older than Stanley. On the marriage certificate, Stanley apparently described himself as an ‘artist’: Bruce Mitchell, ‘Stanley Gillick Drummond’, Australian Dictionary of Biography online, available here

[18] “Sir, - While many children are enjoying their Christmas by the seaside there will be others of the far West of this State who, through force of circumstances, have never had an opportunity of feasting their eyes on the sea or bathing in its refreshing surf. A serious effort is being made to organise a seaside holiday at Manly for the latter. Already several representatives of associations of Manly have signified their willingness to assist in any endeavour to arrange for the required accommodation and provisioning. The task of gathering the children together at the railheads-Cobar and Bourke - will be heavy and costly, as the area covered by our operations stretches from Nyngan to the South Australian border, and from the Condobolin-Menindie-Broken Hill line to the Queensland border. We do not wish to buoy up the hopes of these dear little westerners until we are assured that assistance will be forthcoming to meet the expense involved in taking them to the seaside. To many children in this area the cost of travelling is prohibitive. We want to get them away from here for two or three weeks of the hottest period of summer. The number of children will be limited by the help received, and the children of the poorest circumstances will have first preference irrespective of denomination. Hon. A. E. Hunt, to whom the West is very familiar, has very readily consented to act as our representative in Sydney, and he will be ably assisted by Dr. Arthur. Will your readers help us to carry out our scheme by giving financial assistance immediately, and so bring a big brightness into the lives of many children of the far West”: Stanley G. Drummond, ‘The Children of the Far West: To the Editor of the Herald’, Sydney Morning Herald, 24 December 1924, p.8, available here. The letter is dated 17 December 1924: ibid.

[19] The Hon Alfred E. Hunt and Dr Richard Arthur, who became not only the scheme’s honorary treasurers, but also solicited for subscriptions through letters to numerous regional newspapers; for instance: A. E. Hunt and Richard Arthur, ‘Bush Children: A Seaside Scheme’, Evening News, 1 January 1925. p.2, available here. The same letter was also published in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (2 January 1925, p.3, available here), the National Advocate (2 January 1925, p.1, available here), The Southern Mail (6 January 1925, p.3, available here), Narrandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser (6 January 1925, available here), Western Herald (7 January 1925, p.3, available here), Hillston Spectator and Lachlan Rover Advertiser (9 January 1925, p.8, available here), Riverina Recorder, 10 January 1925, p.2, available here), Country Life Stock and Station Journal (13 January 1925, available here), Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate (20 January 1925, p.4, available here

[20] Stanley G. Drummond, ‘The Children of the Far West: To the Editor of the Herald’, Sydney Morning Herald, 24 December 1924, p.8, available here

[21] Stanley Drummond, ‘To the Editor: Children of the Far West’, Daily Telegraph, 31 January 1925, p.6, available here

[22] ibid

[23] Country Children: Great Day in the City: Motor Trip to Cronulla’, Sydney Morning Herald, 5 February 1925, p.8, available here. Local communities en route provided the children with fruit, sandwiches and, in Dubbo, a hot meal: ibid.

[24] ‘Children of the Bush: Day in the City’, The Land, 6 February 1925, p.5, available here

[25] Including one by the Minister of Education, representing the Premier, during which he asked whether the children would prefer living in Wilcannia or the city; despite the many ‘firsts’ the ‘Children of the West’ had seen and perhaps proof that there is no place like home, after a moment of silence, “a score of youthful voices voted shrilly for Wilcannia:” : ‘Sydney or the Bush: Wilcannia Wins: Children at Government House’, Daily Telegraph, 11 February 1925, p.11, available here 

[26] : ibid

[27] The boy’s name is given variously as Keith Blacker or Bareham: ‘From the Far West: Children in Sydney’, Maitland Weekly Mercury, 14 February 1925, p.3, available here; ‘Country Children in the City: Entertained by the Governor’, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 February 1925, p.16, available here.

[28] ‘The Royal Far West Camps: 1925-1977’, Royal Far West website, available here

[29] ‘Cobar Contingent: Holiday at Cronulla’, Country Life Stock and Sation Journal, 13 February 1925, p.6, available here.

[30] ‘The Royal Far West Camps: 1925-1977’, Royal Far West website, available here

[31] ‘The Royal Far West Camps: 1925-1977’, Royal Far West website, available here

[32] Urbis, Heritage Impact Statement; Royal Far West, Manly, 2021, p.20, available here

[33] ‘Our Historic Manly Connection’, Royal Far West Community Newsletter, no.1, p.4, available here; John R. Godfrey and John Ramsland, ‘David, Stanley and Norman Drummond: “A Fair Deal” for the New South Wales Country Child in Schooling and Welfare, 1924-1983, Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society, vol.90, part 1, June 2004, pp.28-29, available here.

[34] ‘Our History’, Royal Far West website, available here.

[35] Alec Smart, ‘Major Development on Manly Beachfront Almost Underway: Royal Far West’, Manly Observer online, 13 July 2022, available here; Urbis, Heritage Impact Statement; Royal Far West, Manly, 2021, p.21, available here. Elsie first came into contact with Far West as a volunteer during the 1925 Collaroy camp: ‘Matron Elsie Hill Royal Far West’, Northern Beaches Council History Hub, available here.

[36] ‘Matron Elsie Hill Royal Far West’, Northern Beaches Council History Hub, available here

[37] Dr Barron was awarded an MBE in 1937, 4 years after Stanley Drummond, who received his in 1933: ‘Dr George Moncrieff Barron’, Northern Beaches Council History Hub, available here; Bruce Mitchell, ‘Stanley Gillick Drummond’, Australian Dictionary of Biography online, available here. Elsie Hill received hers in 1956: ‘Our History’, Royal Far West website, available here

[38] ‘Our History’, Royal Far West website, available here