Padre White Lookout
Born in London in 1883 Arthur Earnest White is considered to be the Father of the ANZAC Dawn Service.
Arriving in Albany aboard the SS Persic in 1912, White spent the next 4 years based in Williams. Frequently visiting Albany he was likely present on November 7, 1914, when the ANZAC convoy gathered in King George Sound to leave for the Great War.
In 1916, White joined the Australian Imperial Force, serving in France as an army chaplain, 'Padre', with the 44th Battalion. He was medically discharged in 1918, returning to Albany.
On February 24, Rev White held a private requiem mass for the battle dead at St John's Church, after which the group walked to the summit of Mt Clarence to watch a boatman cast a wreath into the harbour.
Reverend White left for the east coast, until 1929, when he returned to Albany to become Rector of Saint John's Church.
On April 25th, 1930 he introduced a dawn service, ending with a wreath being laid at the nearby war memorial. The following year he added casting a wreath into King George Sound and climbing to the summit of Mount Clarence, where many had gathered to watch the convoy depart in 1914. This tradition was repeated every ANZAC Day.
Rev White left Albany in 1938 and spent the rest of his life in New South Wales. He died in 1954 aged 71.
White is considered to be the Father of the ANZAC Dawn Service.
Today the Padre White Lookout is an Albany icon, popular for its historical significance and for the sweeping panoramic views of King George Sound, Middleton Beach, distant Porongorup and Stirling Ranges, and Albany surrounds.
Part of the Heritage Park complex, the lookout comprises a steel walkway, viewing platform, interpretive signage and accent lighting. The Lookout was refurbished in 2013 as part of the $5.8m Heritage Park upgrade and featured prominently in the 2014 ANZAC Centenary celebrations.
updated 01/11/2019
;){kind=link}