In the history of NSW, William Charles Wentworth was involved in many firsts. In 1813 he took part in the first European crossing of the Blue Mountains, in 1824 he co-published the colony’s first independent newspaper, The Australian, and in 1852 he helped form Australia’s first institute of higher learning, Sydney University. On a less celebratory note, 6 May 1873 saw him given NSW first public funeral. Over 2000 mourners attended his funeral and as his body made its way home, 60,000 to 70,000 people lined the streets from St Andrew’s Cathedral to Vaucluse.

Why did so many turn up? As one of our most influential Australian born colonists, he fought politically for his country and its new people. In his early career he argued for the rights of freed convicts and small settlers against the colonial elite. Later in life he lobbied for and achieved responsible government for New South Wales, which passed into legislation in 1856.