NSW Mounted Rifles officer's mess dress waistcoat worn by Lieutenant William Augustine Newman (1873-1955) during the Second Boer War. Born in Campbelltown, NSW, William began working in the colonial public service at the age of eighteen. In 1899 he travelled to South Africa to fight in the Second Boer War as an officer of the 1st NSW Mounted Rifles. Returning to Australia in time for Federation on 1 January 1901, William rejoined the public service and was appointed to the original staff of Prime Minister Sir Edmund Barton, attending the first opening of Federal Parliament in Melbourne as Barton's private secretary. He went on to serve as the chief clerk of the Home Affairs Department, Commonwealth Electoral Officer for Victoria and official secretary to the Governor-General. In 1927 he was appointed Administrator of Nauru, a position he occupied until his retirement at the end of 1932. He retired to Brighton, where he lived with his family at 43 Martin Street until his death in 1955.Black NSW Mounted Rifles officer's mess dress waistcoat. Black superfine wool front, with black cotton back and cream cotton lining. The neck, front and bottom front edge are edged with gold metal lace and gold cording in an Austrian knot style. Two front pockets are edged in the same looped cording. The left front opening is edged with a row of decorative gold metal studs, with hook and eye fastenings underneath.Handwritten in pen on lining: "MESS WAISTCOAT / BOER WAR / LIEUT. NEWMAN / Gift of Mrs. D. Kelly, daughter".military uniform, nsw mounted rifles, boer war, william augustine newman

One of the many badges issued to celebrate the Federation of Australia. The colonies of Australia were federated into the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The first parliament was held in Melbourne in May, 1901 in the newly established capital of Australia, Canberra, the federal parliament sat in 1927.Australian shaped stylised pin attached to original card with wrapping.federation

This gilt bronze medal was issued to school children to commemorate the opening of the first Australian Federal Parliament which opened in Melbourne on 9 May, 1901. This item was used to commemorate an important Australian historical event.A gilt bronze medal in a shield shape with a crown at the top. On on the obverse side are images of Queen Victoria and Edward VII and an inscription. On the reverse side are images of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York and an inscription.Obverse side at top: "AUST. COMMONWEALTH/EST. 1 JAN. 1901/63D of VICTORIA, R.I". Below the images "FIRST PARLIAMENT OPENED/MAY 1902/1ST of EDWARD VII. Along the bottom rim: WA TAS NSW VIC SA QLD. Reverse side at the top:" OPENING OF THE FIRST /FEDERAL PARLIAMENT". Below the images: "T.R.H/ THE DUKE & DUCHESS OF CORNWALL/AND , MAY 1904"medallion, australian federal parliament opening, federal parliament melbourne

Presented to Australian school children on the opening of the First Federal Parliament in May 1901. The opening of Parliament was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwell and York. The Australian states became a Federation during the reign of Queen Victoria, however by the time Parliament opened, Edward VII had ascended the throne.Gilt bronze medal, in shape of shield, with crown at top. Obverse of medal has portraits of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, and wording "Aust. Commonwealth Est 1 Jan 1901 / 63D. of Victoria, R. I. / First Parliament Opened May 1901-1st of Edward V11". Reverse of medal has portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, and wording "Opening of the First Federal Parliament / TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cornwell and York / Melbourne, May 1901".medals, australian federation 1901, parliament of australia