Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Who was F.E. De Groot and what did he do at the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Sydney
Harbour Bridge, Sydney.
F.E. De Groot was a member of the New Guard, a semi-militaristic movement that emerged in Australia during the political tensions of the 1930s.1
On March 19, 1932, during the official opening ceremony of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, De Groot performed a highly symbolic act of protest. Before the Labor premier Jack Lang could officially open the bridge, De Groot rode forward and cut the ceremonial ribbon himself. This event was captured on newsreels and became a frequently replayed moment in Australian history.1