Search This Blog

Wednesday, 27 March 2024

 ARCHDEACON FRANCIS BERTIE BOYCE 

OF BLACKHEATH

                                                               (1844-1931)

                                                      Canon Boyce by Julian Ashton

"A good Australian, he was no narrow patriot, and was interested in history, writing on the church of England and some of its notable figures. He was a fellow of the (Royal) Australian Historical Society, and saw history as recounting the development of a moral sense in mankind; in this way, he could account for, and defend, his own reformist activities."

published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 7, (MUP) 1979 

Boyce's final parish was in Sydney where he spent his abundant energy on helping disadvantaged people. You will need to read the article mentioned above to understand this side of the man.

His holidays and whatever spare time he may have had were spent in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains. He was involved in a wide range of community activities especially those which  were aimed at bringing new residents and tourists.

The Blackheath Council named Mt Boyce after him and there is a monument and picnic area there, just off the Great Western Highway. Perhaps his name is better remembered today since it has been attached to the weather station and truck inspection facility.

                                              








No comments:

Post a Comment