At last she moves

"At last she moves" is a recurring phrase in the history of Western Australia, used to acknowledged long-awaited progress after a period of stagnation. Governor Weld first used the phrase in reference to the colony finally gaining representative government in 1870. When Governor Frederick Broome turned the first sod on the Great Southern Railway at Beverley on October 20 1886, he again used the phrase, presumably as an allusion to Weld's earlier use. In October 1890, Governor Robinson returned from England with the news that Western Australia had been granted responsible government. On his arrival at Albany on October 18 1890, he made a speech in which he used the phrase: "now I think we can venture to say, with all sincerity, and in the full conviction that it will be realised, 'At last she moves.'" Three days later, responsible government was proclaimed in Perth, Western Australia. The city had been decorated in anticipation of celebration of the first Proclamation Day, and one of the highlights was a large banner draped across the front of Edward Keane's store, which read "AT LAST SHE MOVES".

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