Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Mayoress Oliver was born Ellen May Robinson and she married Norman J Oliver in 1928. Ellen Oliver died in 1985 aged 82.Framed, oval photographic studio portrait. Hand coloured detail.lr, Mrs N. J. Oliver / Mayoress 1950 - 51 / 1964 - 65. ll, Raymond V Kelly / Bendigovincent kelly, studio photography, raymond kelly, ellen may robinson, norman j oliver, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Greta Balsillie served as Mayoress from 1993 - 94 and was the last official Mayoress as the role disappeared after amalgamation due to the election of female Mayors.Colour photographic portrait sitting behind oval mount.Front cover; Photograph by: / Richard Gibbs / Tel: (054)413411city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, lansell pendant, mayor balsillie, mayoress balsillie

Sarah Coventry Pty. Ltd. was a North American jewellery company that was established in 1949 by the Stuart family as part of Emmons Jewelry, Inc. It began operations in England and Australia in 1968, and in Australia it moved from Carlton in Melbourne to Wodonga in 1969. The premises were originally on High St. in Wodonga, but a new warehouse was built in Melbourne Rd. later in 1969. It was a direct selling jewellery business using a party-plan model similar to Tupperware and Avon. The sales reps or 'Hostesses' were provided with jewellery samples in demonstration kits, which they displayed at jewellery parties in their homes. The designs for jewellery such as brooches, necklaces, earrings, chokers and bracelets were purchased from freelance designers and jewellery manufacturers rather than in-house designers. In 1979 Sarah Coventry Pty. Ltd. in Wodonga was bought by three Australian businessmen, including Wodonga local Jim Sawyer, and continued to sell jewellery under the name "Sargem Pty. Ltd”, for several more years in the 1980s. As part of the Sarah Coventry collection, the pin has local significance with the decentralised commercial development of regional centres such as Wodonga in NE Victoria, as well as national and international significance from the perspective of social and economic developments for women after World War II. The direct selling party-plan business model Sarah Coventry was based on is also considered the first of its kind for jewellery.Small rectangular gold metal pin with a faceted pink stone inlay on the proper left side and a faceted clear stone on the proper right side. Two raised flower motifs on the proper right side. The 10k stamped on the back surface suggests it is made of 10 karat gold.The abraded areas on the clasp on the back expose underlying silver coloured metal indicating that the clasp is plated."Sarah / SC / 10 YRS / Coventry" raised inscription on the front surface. "® cTo / 10 K" stamped on the lower proper left side of the back surface, indicating 10 karat gold. The ® symbol indicates that the manufacturer's mark is federally registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office. The 'cTo' is the trademark by O. C. Tanner Jewelry Co. in Salt Lake City, U.S.sarah coventry, jewellery, wodonga, costume jewellery, vintage fashion jewellery, pin, jewellery pin

Sir David Fairbairn KBE DFC was Honorary Colonel of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment 1981-83. Sir David served with 21st Light Horse prior to World War Two. During WWII he served with the Royal Australian Air Force flying Spitfires in Britain and Europe, and later in the war, in the Pacific theatre. Following the war, he entered politics, holding the federal seat of Farrer from 1949-1975. He was Minister for Defence 1971-73. Sir David was Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands 1977-1980.Framed coloured photograph of Sir David Fairbairn when serving as Honorary Colonel of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles, 1981-83.fairbairn, colonel, honorary, vmr

Wilfred ‘Billy’ Kent Hughes (1895-1970) appearing to question Bedouin men in Egypt. Kent Hughes was a Gallipoli veteran and later in 1917 won a Military Cross and was mentioned in dispatches four times. He served in World War Two, was captured at the fall of Singapore in 1942 and spent time as a Prisoner or War. He later was made a Knight of the Realm, served in the Menzies federal ministry and played a key role in organizing the Melbourne 1956 Olympics. He rode in the Anzac Day Parade in Melbourne in 1968 in full Light Horse uniform. kent hughes, ww1, natives, bedouin, egypt, aif, a.i.f

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, The Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions if if their husband was unavailable. Mayoress Poulston was born Dora Isobel Morgan and was actively associated with many charities including the Baby Health Centre. Mayoress Poulston died in 1965 aged 75 and was born and lived her entire life in the district. Framed, oval photographic studio portrait. Hand coloured detail.ll, Reg Brock / of Bendigo. lr, Mrs R. Poulston / Mayoress / 1949 - 1950 / 1954 - 1955dora morgan, dora poulston, reg brock photographer, robert poulston, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portrait

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, The Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Mayoress Rae was born Ethel Mary and during her time in office she attended functions alongside her husband for Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh during their visit in 1963.Framed, oval photographic studio portrait with flat glass. Hand coloured detail.ll, Mrs R A Rae / Mayoress 1962 - 63. lr, Martin Washington / Bendigoethel mary, martin washington photography, roy alexander rae, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, mayoress rae, mayor rae, lansell pendant

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, The Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Mayoress Taylor was born Hannah Ellen Mullany and died 9th September 1963 aged 83. Hannah Taylor served as Mayoress from 1930 -31, 1937 - 38 and 1942 - 43.Framed, oval photographic portraits with convex glass and print, created using a collodion wet plate process. Hand coloured detail.lr, Mrs W H Taylor / Mayoress 1930 - 31 / " " 1937 - 39. ll, Vincent Kelly / Bendigohannah mullany, taylor, studio photography, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayoress

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Born in 1884 at Fryerstown, May Catherine Quick married David William Streader in 1910. May Streader served as Mayoress from 1946 - 1947 and died aged 103 years old in 1987. Reproduction of photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.ll; Mrs D. W. Streader / Mayoress / 1946 - 47. lr R. Vincent Kelly / Bendigovincent kelly, studio photography, raymond kelly, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, may quick, mayoress streader, city of bendigo mayor, mayor d.w. streader

Legacy have many programs to send young junior legatees on activities, camps and outings. The photo shows a junior legatee, Declan Deasy with a sack on his shoulder. It was used in an newspaper article in 1990. It said Declan was going to be part of a pilgrimage to Gallipoli to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Anzac landing with surviving veterans. He was the Junior Legatee chosen as Victorian Representative for the trip. The Federal Government-funded $1 million 11-day trip included a dawn service on Anzac Day. It was stored with other photos of Junior Legatees at camps from the 1980s and 1990s. A record of a Legacy providing experiences for the junior legatees.Colour photo of a young man with a sack and a dog.Hand written on the back 'Pic 6' in black ink and '900204/418' in blue ink.junior legatee outing, camps

This badge has been produced and sold to raise funds to assist Australian soldiers returning from active service in World War One. At the end of the war the Wannon and Corangamite Territorial Repatriation Scheme was set up to assist returning soldiers to adapt to civilian life. It is presumed that similar schemes were established in other electorates in Australia. Wannon is the name of a Federal electorate in the south west of Victoria and includes Warrnambool and the name on the badge may be an abbreviation of the fuller name mentioned above or an offshoot of the above organization. The scheme included assistance to soldiers with loans to set up businesses and build homes. This badge is retained as an example of a local effort to assist Australian soldiers returning from active service in World War One. This is a metal badge with a blue outer rim and an image on a cream background of a young man in a blue jacket and brown hat. The printing is in red. Wannon Repatriation Our Boy 1919world war one, history of warrnambool, badge, wannon and corangamite territorial repatriation scheme

Plans by the Federal Government to temporarily settle 120 Christian Syrian refugees at the St Vincents facility in Diamond Street (Judge Book Village) brought out national protest by far right groups, many travelling intersate to demonstarte in Eltham against the settlement. Many locals stood up against these protesters, forming Welcome to Eltham, symbolised by the (Eltham Copper) butterfly. The planned demonstartion by the far right was deflated by over 200 locals turning up and peacefully supporting the refugees with butterflies placed throughout parks, paths and roadways. This butterfly was later relocated to the Judge Book Village fay bridge collection, 2016-11-07, diamond street, judge book village, luck street, main road, protests, syrian refugees, welcome to eltham

Between the 1950s and 1970s, road safety was redefined as a medical and social problem, rather than a moral and legal one. This was a time before seat belts. The Road Safety Colouring Competition was a free colouring competition for children, organised by Commonwealth Oil Refineries Ltd., started in August 1954 with the , aims of teaching road safety. There were 1,000 prizes, valued at £1,200. The winner would receive a £100 bursary and a free plane trip with one parent to Canberra to receive the prize from the Federal Minister for Transport, Senator.G. McLeay. This booklet is the one used by the children in Orbost in 1958. This booklet was designed to promote road safety awareness, with messages and activities specifically considered for children. Its aim was to teach road safety in a fun, but educational way. This item was an important educational tool. A booklet of competitions - Road Safety- Victorian Section for Children It was issued by the Australian Road Safety Council. The front cover is blue, red, black and white. It contains crosswords, colouring competitions with entry forms.road-safety competitions-colouring

Australian First World War recruitment poster. This poster was part of the First World War Australian Government Recruiting Kit. Recruitment posters were prolific in Australia throughout the First World War. Australia relied solely on voluntary recruits to serve in the AIF. Compulsory military service, or conscription, for eligible men was in force in Australia from 1911, however, these forces were for home defence and could not be used to serve in a war overseas. Following the initial rush of men to recruit in 1914, enrolments dropped, leaving federal and state governments to devise sophisticated campaigns to boost numbers.Norman Lindsay (1879-1969) was a painter, draughtsman, illustrator, cartoonist, printmaker, writer and sculptor. He joined the Sydney 'Bulletin' magazine as a staff artist, 1901-09, 1910-23 and 1932-58. During the First World War he produced jingoistic cartoons and pro-conscription posters. The is one of the series of six posters by Lindsay constituting the last nation-wide Australian recruiting campaign. A soldier sounds his bugle for assistance on the front line while civilians listen in the background.recruitment poster, norman lindsay, ww1

Geoffrey Ingram worked on the Australian Arts Enquiry in 1959, and became the founding administrator of the Australian Ballet, 1963-1965. A letter was sent in 1959 to influential people actively engaged in or professionally associated with the creative and interpretative arts. It recommended that a request be made to the Federal Government for a commission of enquiry into the state of the arts and letters in Australia. This letter was signed by Eric Westbrook, Robin Boyd, Hector Crawford and Andrew Fabinyi. This is a summary of excerpts from responses, including those from Arthur Boyd, Peter McIntyre, Mary Gilmore, Patrick White, Frank Dalby Davison and Katharine S. Prichard.Typewritten, foolscap, pagesgeoffrey ingram, eric westbrook, robin boyd, hector crawford, andrew fabinyi, arts enquiry

Photos of the official opening of the 50th Anniversary Legacy Conference, at National Gallery of Victoria in 1973. 00460.1 shows The Governor, Sir Rohan Delacombe speaking in the Stained Glass Hall. Other photos include the official party sitting behind the speakers, including Lady Delacombe, the President Geoff Handbury and his wife, Helen. Photos came from an envelope marked P1 Federal Conference 1973 / 50 Year anniversary / 1983 Morewell / 1973 Legacy March ANZAC Day, 50 yr celebration, inclusion in ANZAC Day March authority of RSL". See items 00451,00452,00453, 00454, 00391. A record of a Conference Opening to mark the 50th anniversary of Legacy during the Golden Jubilee year 1973.Black and white photo x 6 of the opening of the 50th Anniversary Conference.All stamped "This Photograph is the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge Michael Cheshire" in grey ink. 00454.1 Label on front says "Official Opening of Conference - His Excellency The Governor".golden jubilee, governor of victoria, conference

The Bendigo Ordnance Factory began operating in 1942, producing heavy artillery and naval guns. In the late 1990s the then Federal Government-owned facility was sold to the multinational Thales, which continues to operate the factory today. This Bendigo Historical Society collection of glass negatives includes some slides of women working in the munitions factory. Seven slides were included in an album that was prepared for Dr Edith Summerskill who visited Australia in 1944 as part of an Empire Parliamentary Delegation. The album included photographs of Australian women working at the factory during WW2. A copy of the album is in the Collection of the Australian War Memorial.Box 1 of 3, Glass Slide Negatives of the Bendigo Munitions Factory, later known as the Ordnance Factory and then the Australian Defence Industries. Each negative is sealed between two pieces of glass. The edges are sealed with thin pieces of tape. The slides are contained in three wooden boxes with hinged lids and grooves (slots) to house them.history, bendigo, bendigo munitions factory, bendigo ordnance, bendigo adi, doctor edith summerskill, ww2, slide box 1 10165, slide box 2 10166, slide box 3 10167

This tunic was worn by Sir David Fairbairn KBE DFC when Honorary Colonel of 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment 1981-83. Sir David served with 21st Light Horse prior to World War Two. During WWII he served with the Royal Australian Air Force flying Spitfires in Britain and Europe and later in the war, in the Pacific theatre. Following the war, he entered politics, holding the federal seat of Farrer from 1949-1975. He was Minister for Defence 1971-73. Sir David was Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands 1977-1980.This object is well provenanced, complete and representative uniform worn by an honorary colonel of the 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regiment, a man who gave exemplary service as a serviceman, politician and diplomat.Service dress tunic, polyester summer, with yellow cord lanyard, officer badges of rank, 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles collar badges, silver Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) buttons, and pilot qualification badge (wings). Neck decoration Knight Commander of British Empire (KBE) (Civilian list) (replica); ribbon bar denoting: Order of the British Empire (Civil), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 39-45 Star, Europe and Germany Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal 1939-45, British War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. uniform, fairbairn, vmr, raaf, honorary, ambassador, wwii, spitfire, world war two, parliament

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Mayoress O'Brien was born Annie Webb at Dunolly in 1893 and died in 1938 aged 68. Mayoress O'Brien was interested in child welfare and gave devoted service to the baby health centre (1). (1. Jackman, Mayors of Bendigo)Framed, oval photographic portraits with convex glass and print, created using a collodion wet plate process. Hand coloured detail.ll, Mrs M.E. O'Brien / Mayoress 1929 - 30 lr; Vincent Kelly / Bendigovincent kelly, studio photography, o'brien, annie webb, city of bendigo maternal health, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could officially undertake civic duties. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and federal level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Monica Cecelia Murray was born in 1910 in Strathfieldsaye and married Thomas Flood in 1934. She served as Mayoress for four terms and died in 1973. Mayoress Flood was president of the St Mary's Past Pupul's Association and a patron of the Bendigo Girl Guildes. Reproduction of photographic studio portrait sitting behind oval mount.studio photography, raymond kelly, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo mayor, mayoress flood, mayor t.r. flood

The Victorian Branch of the Rats of Tobruk Association was formed on 2nd October 1945. Other branches and sub-branches were established across Australia and a Federal Council was established in 1946. With the passing of the survivors of Tobruk, most branches have been wound up with the exception of the Victorian branch. Since 2012 the Rats of Tobruk Association Inc. has opened up affiliate membership to descendants and relatives of the original "Rats" in order to preserve their legacy. This booklet comes from the collection of Arthur Lock who was a Rat of Tobruk and President of the Association in Albury. He passed away on June 28, 2000.This item is part of a collection of items owned by Arthur Lock, a member of the 2/23rd Battalion, an all-volunteer Second Australian Imperial Force which served as part of the garrison during the Siege of Tobruk, then at El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo. It has particular local significance as the battalion was know as "Albury's Own" because a large majority of the battalion's initial intake of volunteers came from the Albury–Wodonga region. A small light green booklet setting out the bylaws of the Victorian Branch of the Rats of Tobruk Association, modified in 1990.world war 11, rats of tobruk, rats of tobruk association

The Bendigo Ordnance Factory began operating in 1942, producing heavy artillery and naval guns. In the late 1990s the then Federal Government-owned facility was sold to the multinational Thales, which continues to operate the factory today. This Bendigo Historical Society collection of glass negatives includes some slides of women working in the munitions factory. Seven slides were included in an album that was prepared for Dr Edith Summerskill who visited Australia in 1944 as part of an Empire Parliamentary Delegation. The album included photographs of Australian women working at the factory during WW2. A copy of the album is in the Collection of the Australian War Memorial.Box 3 of 3, Glass Slide Negatives of the Bendigo Munitions Factory, later known as the Ordnance Factory and then the Australian Defence Industries. Each negative is sealed between two pieces of glass. The edges are sealed with thin pieces of tape. The slides are contained in three wooden boxes with hinged lids and grooves (slots) to house them.history, bendigo, bendigo munitions factory, bendigo ordnance, bendigo adi, doctor edith summerskill, ww2, slide box 1 10165, slide box 2 10166, slide box 3 10167

The Bendigo Ordnance Factory began operating in 1942, producing heavy artillery and naval guns. In the late 1990s the then Federal Government-owned facility was sold to the multinational Thales, which continues to operate the factory today. This Bendigo Historical Society collection of glass negatives includes some slides of women working in the munitions factory. Seven slides were included in an album that was prepared for Dr Edith Summerskill who visited Australia in 1944 as part of an Empire Parliamentary Delegation. The album included photographs of Australian women working at the factory during WW2. A copy of the album is in the Collection of the Australian War Memorial.Box 2 of 3, Glass Slide Negatives of the Bendigo Munitions Factory, later known as the Ordnance Factory and then the Australian Defence Industries. Each negative is sealed between two pieces of glass. The edges are sealed with thin pieces of tape. The slides are contained in three wooden boxes with hinged lids and grooves (slots) to house them.history, bendigo, bendigo munitions factory, bendigo ordnance, bendigo adi, doctor edith summerskill, ww2, slide box 1 10165, slide box 2 10166, slide box 3 10167

Typed copies of correspondence dated 21/7/1910, from the Federal Storage Battery Company to the Mr H Milner, Managing Director of the Beaumaris Tramway Co. at the Equitable Building Melbourne. Gives extensive details and comparisons of the battery storage system compared to the electric tramcars. Known as "Beach Cars" - see reference. Notes the work of Edison, batteries. Signed by R. H Beach, the Company Secretary. Has notes on car (streetcar or tramcar) performance, report from the Atlantic City and Shore Railroad Company, comparison report from the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the State of Massachusetts, and cost comparisons. Yields information about the "Beach Cars" battery powered trams of 1910.Set of six typed blue foolscap sheets titled - "Beach Cars" - Edison Storage Batteries 1910tramways, trams, battery tramcars, battery systems, beach cars, beaumaris tramway co. ltd, edison

Worn by Dame Marie Breen DBE OBE, Federal Senator for Victoria and Brighton resident. A passionate member (and founder) of many community organisations and charities, Marie Freda Breen (nee Chamberlin, 1902-1993) had her first experience of public life when her husband Robert became Mayor of Brighton in 1940. She became involved in the fledgeling Liberal Party, and Robert encouraged her to run for office. Marie because Victoria's first female Federal Senator in 1962. In Parliament, she was a vocal advocate for women and families and supported building a stronger relationship between Australia and Asia. In 1965 she became the first woman to chair a Senate committee. Marie retired from politics in 1968, after Robert was badly injured in a car accident. He died shortly after and she re-dedicated herself to community service, raising funds for UNICEF and serving on the Victorian Consultative Committee on Social Development and the Australian Advisory Council of Elders. In 1959 she was appointed an Officer of the British Empire for her work in the role of State President of the National Council of Women (Victoria) and in 1979 she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Marie and Robert had three daughters, one of whom, Jeannette Patrick, was the Liberal Member for Brighton (1976-1985) and Parliamentary Secretary of the Liberal Party, (1979-82).Sleeveless black cotton voile dress printed with large cream and apricot coloured roses. Dropped waist; bias-cut triangular draping applied to back neck; two horizontal bands of black voile inserted into skirt.dame marie breen, 1920s, liberal party of australia, australian senate, politics, robert breen

Book. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 189 page hardcover biography of Edward Granville Theodore, State and Federal politician, Union organiser, Premier of Queensland, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer in the Scullin Government. Forward by E. G. Whitlam. Illustrated with B & W photos. Published in 1971 by Alpha Books, Sydney and printed by the Griffin Press, Adelaide. Catalogue sticker ''2167 YOU'' on spine. Handwritten in biro on flyleaf ''For A. H. Chisholm Esq with kind regards and best wishes and the hope this book recalls interesting events, John Theodore 4.11.71''. Also a newspaper cutting (3-4-74) pasted on flyleaf relating to the estate of Mr N. B. Theodore. SBN 35553 064 2.Irwin Youngbooks, collections, biography, alec h chisholm collection, edward granville theodore, irwin young, n.b.theodore, e.g.whitlam, biography, politics

Articles for RHSV Bendigo Branch Newsletter March 1972; 1. Article in ''Federal Australian'' (Jan 1882) re undue delays erecting the St Mungo crushing battery; 2. ''Moans and Groans'' re wages for miners and meeting at Royal Hotel of May 31st, 1873; reference to a Regulation of Mines law of Jan 1st 1874 (Angus McKay), margin note on handwritten copy states that ''Further information on (the) Act and the lot of the miners and engine drivers will be given in future issues of the Newsletter''; 3. Article with return and costs information about working on a claim - details of shaft and sinking - (Grant and??Co), adjacent to private Victoria Reef Quartz Co., later the Victoria Quartz.document, gold, mining in bendigo

The correspondent of the Argus on 10 May 1901 wrote: "The Parliament of the Commonwealth was opened yesterday by the Duke, of Cornwall and York, under a Commission signed by Queen Victoria and subsequently endorsed by King Edward VII. The ceremony was marked by the splendour and solemn impressiveness which befitted its historic importance. An immense assemblage of spectators, drawn mainly, of course, from this state, but in part also from each of the other federated states, and including representatives of other portions of the British Empire and of foreign powers, thronged the spacious, stately, and joyously decorated edifice. The picture was magnificent. It must have printed itself indelibly on the sensitive minds of the thousands of Australians who were privileged to behold it. We may assume that artists will reproduce it in worthy and imperishable forms, and that from generation to generation it will be familiar in the households of the Commonwealth. Our children's children, we may gladly say to-day, will not be ashamed of the function which inaugurated the self-governing rights of the southern British Nation. Nothing was omitted which could add to the grandeur and significance of the occasion. In a broad sense the proceedings were perfectly intelligible to the vast and sympathetic gathering, though the natural limits of a single human voice had to be accepted. The King's son, with his consort and the Governor-General and Lady Hopetoun by his side, and supported by the Governors of the states and other eminent personages, fulfilled his doubly-attested Commission with a simple dignity and a modest manliness altogether admirable. The ceremony was a brilliant spectacle, and, in its sentiment and suggestiveness, an inspiration to a loyal and patriotic people."The document design has artistic and aesthetic merit. While it is not rare, it is representative of the kinds of formal designs used for the Australian Commonwealth celebrations at the time of Federation, and is in excellent condition. Such items as this invitation have local, state and national historic significance as mementoes of a key moment in Australia's history. Locally, the invitation is part of a group of Federation-related items issued to James Maitland Campbell (and his wife). Campbell was three times mayor of Kew in the second half of the 19th Century and the owner of Ramornie in Pakington Street, one of the significant extant mansions in Kew.An invitation, mounted on card for Mr & Mrs James Maitland Campbell to an evening reception at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on 9 May 1901, to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall as part of the celebrations of the opening of the first Federal Parliament. A figure of Britannia, in red dress and mailed vest holding a shield like the Union Jack, is on the left of the invitation; she reaches out her hand towards a younger female figure, representing Australia, who is dressed in blue and holds a shield which is white with a blue cross decorated with stars. The writing is on a scroll in the centre of the certificate, and there is a border of vines and vine leaves. The royal crest is at the base of the certificate. James Maitland Campbell of ‘Ramornie’ in Pakington Street was mayor of Kew on three occasionsFront, printed. gold ink: "His Majesty's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth of Australia request the honour of the presence of / Mr & Mrs J. M. Campbell (handwritten) / In the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on Thursday, 9th May, 1901, to witness / the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth. / Edmund Barton / Prime Minister." Front, bottom left, printed: "The Young Queen / Her hand was still on her sword hilt - the spur was still on her heel ... (and further text) KIPLING'S COMMONWEALTH ODE."australia -- federation -- 1901, invitations, parliament -- opening -- 1901, james maitland campbell