page_title: George Essex Evans
section_title: Death
hierarchical_section_title: George Essex Evans / Death
caption_attribution_description: English: The Memorial of George Essex Evans in Webb Park, Toowoomba
context_page_description: George Essex Evans was an Australian poet.
context_section_description: Evans was a great advocate for the construction of a new road northward across the Australia and after falling ill in 1909 he became the first passenger to be transported over it when taken to hospital. The men working on the road were so overcome with sorrow for the poet who had worked hard to bring about the new road that they relieved the ambulance men of their duty.
  Evans died from complications arising from gallbladder surgery in 1909 at forty-six years of age. The news of his death was first delivered on the stage of the Austral Hall during the largest Austral Festival celebrations ever held. His death prompted an emergency meeting of the Austral Association Committee who, knowing that of all the titles Evans held he was most proud of 'Founder of the Austral Association,' decided that the festival must continue. A series of emotional tributes to his impact on advancing the cause of Australian music, art and literature followed.
  His funeral was held on 11 November 1909 at the St. James Church and he was eulogized by Alfred Deakin with whom he shared a long correspondence in Federal Parliament as 'Australia's Poet.'
  In a speech that was wired to the poet's widow after his death, Australian Prime Minister Deakin shared his sentiments stating that he was "Deeply grieved at sudden and unexpected death of your greatly-gifted husband. Australia will mourn the loss of her national poet whose patriotic songs stirred her people profoundly in the arduous campaign for union."
  A memorial of Evans was raised in Webb Park, Toowoomba. Inscribed on the statue are several verses from his poems, including the following excerpt from his poem "Toowoomba":
  Dark purple, chased with sudden gloom and glory,
  Like waves in wild unrest.
  Low-wooded billows and steep summits hoary,
  Ridge, slope and mountain crest,
  Cease at her feet with faces turned to greet her,
  Enthroned, apart, serene,
  Above her vassal hills whose voices greet her
  The Mountain Queen.
caption: George Essex Evans Memorial in Webb Park, Toowoomba
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