'After being actively involved in the drafting of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sir John Forrest fought hard for 'fair terms' in steering Western Australia into federation. His career in the public life of the colony - as surveyor, inland explorer, public servant, and first premier of Western Australia - showed how energy, grit and determination, together with the right circumstances, could enable a colonial-born youth from an artisan family to achieve wealth, influence and political power. During the 1890s, he completely transformed Western Australia's communications, and developed a code of public ethics that allowed state power to aid private enterprise for the benefit of the community.' (Publication summary)
