The Bridge

Ninety years on from its opening in 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge remains the most recognisable symbol of Australia. The iconic arch took almost nine years to complete – at a cost of sixteen lives and more than six million pounds – and the people, political wranglings and incredible feats of engineering behind its creation have become the stuff of legend.

The Bridge brings to life the stories of those who dreamed it, built it and were drawn to it: Lennie Gwyther, the nine-year-old boy who made a 900-mile solo journey on horseback to witness the opening; Dr J.J.C. Bradfield who eventually realised his dream of connecting Sydney’s two shores; Vince Kelly, the larger-than-life boilermaker who fell from the arch and survived; and many other fascinating characters.

This is the lively history of a bridge that has garnered the collective pride of the nation and become one of the world’s most famous structures.

‘. . . in world terms, that great arch defined Sydney and for the most part, Australia . . .’ – Hon. Paul Keating, former Prime Minister of Australia
‘Lalor has written a most intimately affectionate version of an epic story’ Canberra Times

Author Biography

Peter Lalor is an award-winning journalist and author. His first book Blood Stain was published by Allen & Unwin and won the Ned Kelly award for Best True Crime in 2003. He is the chief cricket writer for The Australian and a special commentator for Channel 7 during the summer. He studied history at the University of Melbourne and worked as a news and feature reporter for two decades before becoming a cricket writer.

Sue Lalor is a project manager and artist who took on the role of picture editor for The Bridge. Peter and Sue have two children, Lucy and Harry, and live in Sydney.