Description

Title: The House on the hill: A History of the Parliament of Western Australia, 1832-1990
Author/Publisher: David Black (Parliament of Western Australia)
Publication Year: 1991
Format: Hardcover

The House on the hill: A history of the Parliament of Western Australia, 1832-1990

by David Black

Signed by the Honourable Phillip Pendal M.L.A., Member for South Perth, with Business Card attached.

Inscribed to Terry O'Connor, AM OC, who was a prominent Perth barrister, company director and football administrator.

The book was presented to Terry for his support and guidance during the 1998 anti-abortion campaign.

Terry O’Connor QC was admitted as a legal practitioner in 1961. He became a partner at Stone James & Co in 1964, practised in commercial litigation and acted as an in-house counsel. He then joined the Independent Bar in 1986 as a barrister and became Queen’s Council in 1987. He retired from practice in 2004.

His leadership qualities and commitment to law earned Mr O’Connor QC the respect of the legal profession. He was appointed Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission from 1997 to 2004 and was Chancellor of the University of Notre Dame Australia from 1990 to 2005.

Outside of the law, Terry O’Connor QC had a proud history in football as a player, coach and administrator. He played more than 250 games for the University of Western Australia over 16 years, and was awarded a Half Blue in 1959 for outstanding sporting achievement. Once retired from playing, Terry made a significant contribution to Australian football – firstly as West Coast Eagles Chairman for three seasons, including the 1992 Premiership season, and then as Commissioner for the Australian Football League from 1993 to 2000.

Synopsis

Authored by David Black and published by the Parliament of Western Australia in 1991, 'The House on the hill' offers a comprehensive and factual account of the legislative history of Western Australia. This significant non-fiction work traces the evolution of the state's Parliament from its inception in 1832 through to 1990.

As a foundational text in Australian history, this volume provides an in-depth exploration of the political developments and parliamentary processes that shaped Western Australia over more than a century and a half. This particular copy bears a notable provenance, having been signed by the Honourable Phillip Pendal M.L.A., then Member for South Perth, and personally inscribed to Terry O'Connor, AM OC. O'Connor was a prominent Perth barrister, company director, and football administrator, to whom the book was presented in recognition of his support, adding a unique dimension to this important historical record.

• Founding Principles: Details the establishment and early legislative frameworks of the Parliament of Western Australia, tracing its origins from 1832 and outlining its initial structures.
• Centuries of Governance: Explores the parliamentary journey through various eras, highlighting key legislative changes, political milestones, and the evolving roles of government up to the close of 1990.
• Western Australian Development: Illuminates how parliamentary decisions and debates directly influenced the social, economic, and political development of the region throughout the specified period.

This original hardcover volume stands as an essential reference for historians, political scientists, and anyone with a keen interest in Australian constitutional development and the unique political trajectory of Western Australia. The specific inscription and signature within this copy further elevate its appeal for collectors of political ephemera and Australian historical documents, offering a tangible link to key figures in the state's public life.

Condition

This item has been professionally inspected and is in Very Good condition. Please refer to the photographs for detailed visual assessment.

Specifications