10 Facts About Ambrose Pratt

Ambrose Goddard Hesketh Pratt was an Australian writer born into a cultivated family in Forbes, New South Wales.

Ambrose Pratt had private tutors for French, German, and the manly arts boxing, riding, fencing and shooting.

Around the time of his university studies Ambrose Pratt began writing pro-labour articles for The Australian Worker.

Ambrose Pratt travelled to England where he commenced writing novels and stories for magazines such as The Bulletin and The Lone Hand, and began what was to become a career in journalism with the Daily Mail which brought him back to Australia in 1905.

Ambrose Pratt joined The Age as a journalist in 1905, gaining considerable influence, and was a member of the party with Prime Minister Andrew Fisher visiting the newly founded Union of South Africa for the opening of its parliament.

Ambrose Pratt was involved in companies mining for tin in Malaya and Siam.

Ambrose Pratt was a proponent of The Ghan railway to Alice Springs and rode in the VIP carriage during the inaugural journey.

Ambrose Pratt ended his life an opponent of the White Australia Policy and attempted to ameliorate the kind of xenophobia prevalent at the time with his writings, exemplified by his 1941 play A Point in Time.

In 1941, Ambrose Pratt was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the White Elephant by the government of Thailand, for his service as consul-general in Australia.

Ambrose Pratt was the first Australian inducted into the order.