Printed for the classes of 2023 this book was offered to the eldest child of each family, and staff, professional and teaching. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record. parents association, celebration evening, year levels, chagim, jewish life, visual and performing arts, creative writing, sport and outdoor education, enrichment programs, staff photo, foundation

This is a program of the Centenary Procession that took place in Warrnambool in 1947 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the city’s founding in 1847. It was originally intended to celebrate the 100th anniversary in 1940 but these celebrations were postponed because of World War Two. In 1947 centenary celebrations were held but on a less lavish style. 1947 was a more appropriate year as 1847 was the year of the first land sales for Warrnambool and the arrival of the first European settlers in the town. The 1947 celebrations included a Grand Procession which was estimated to have been watched by 20,000 people. A similar number saw the bonfire and fireworks display in Albert Park the same evening. The celebrations lasted a week and included a choral thanksgiving festival in the Botanic Gardens, a massed band display and a ‘Warrnambool Can Make It’ exhibition of local manufactures. The well-known historian and Town Clerk at the time, Henri Worland took a prominent role in the organizing of the celebrations. This little booklet is of considerable importance because it contains a short description of the floats and the names of those connected with the various floats of the Warrnambool Centenary Procession of 1947. It not only gives us a better idea of what and who were in the procession but it now enables us to better label the many photographs we have of this procession and to identify the people in the photographs. The program is a valuable source of information for historians. It also is a good example of the type of celebratory procession that was popular 70 years ago. This is a paper program of the Warrnambool 1947 Centenary procession. It has four pages and a buff-coloured cover. The front cover has a sepia-toned photograph of the first car purchased in Warrnambool (1906) and on the back cover there is an advertisement for Lane’s Bus Services. The inside front cover has an advertisement for Guyett and Sons Furniture Store and there are other advertisements throughout the pages. The printed text on buff-coloured paper gives details of the 29 floats in the ‘Mechanized’ Section and of the 27 floats in the ‘Back to the Horse Pageant’ Section. The pages were stapled but the staples have been removed. There has been some silverfish damage. Front Cover: ‘Grand Centenary Procession, Thursday, March 27, 1947, Souvenir Catalogue, Price Sixpence, Joint Organisers, C.A.Rogers, P.T.Parker, F.E.Utting’. warrnambool centenary, 1947 henri worland

This invitation to a ‘Conversazione’ to celebrate the Federation of the six colonies in Australia into the six States of Australia in 1901 was sent to the invitees after the event to keep as a souvenir of the occasion. The event was hosted by the Government of Victoria. The certificate was designed by George Brougham Austin, a Melbourne architect and artist employed by the Victorian Department of Public Works. He also designed many of the public decorations displayed in Melbourne during the Federation celebrations. Austin’s original work was lithographed by an artist at Sands and McDougall, Melbourne. This particular invitation was sent to George Rolfe and his wife, Annie. George Rolfe (1836-1919), a tea merchant from Melbourne, began buying blocks of land near the mouth of the Hopkins River in Warrnambool in the 1870s. By the early 1880s he owned 50 acres of land in the town and some nearby farming properties. He used the building on the ]and near the mouth of the Hopkins River as holiday accommodation and called the property, Lyndoch. He improved the property with the additions of stables, jetty, boathouse, bone and chaff sheds, reservoir and windmill and extensive gardens. Rolfe spent most of his later life at Lyndoch. Today the property is the site of an Aged Care facility. This certificate is of considerable importance for two reasons: 1. It is an important and attractive memento of a signal event in the history of Australia – the Federation of the States in 1901. 2. The certificate was an invitation to Mr and Mrs George Rolfe. George Rolfe was a prominent Warrnambool person in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is a multi-coloured certificate printed on a cream-coloured card. The certificate has an image of the Exhibition Building surrounded by an ornate border of heraldic shields, portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, views of the six capital cities of Australia, native flora and fauna, the Royal Crest and the Crest of Australia. The names of the invitees are handwritten in black ink. ‘United Australia 1901 One Flag One Hope One Destiny Australian Commonwealth Celebrations’ ‘The Government of Victoria requests the honor of the presence of Mr & Mrs G. Rolfe at a Conversazione in the Exhibition Building on the Evening of Tuesday 7th May 1901 at 8 p.m.’ george rolfe of lyndoch, warrnambool, federation of australia, history of warrnambool, george rolfe

This certificate is an invitation to the Evening Reception in Melbourne in 1901, an event which was part of the celebrations in Melbourne to commemorate the Federation of the six colonies into the six States of Australia in January 1901. The certificate was sent to the invitees after the event as a souvenir of the occasion. The certificate was designed by the artists Julian and Howard Ashton and lithographed and issued by Sands and McDougall Limited of Melbourne. This particular certificate was sent to George Rolfe and his wife Annie. George Rolfe (1836-1919), a tea merchant from Melbourne, began buying blocks of land near the mouth of the Hopkins River in the 1870s. By the early 1880s he had acquired 50 acres of land in the town and several nearby farming properties. He used the buildings on the land at the mouth of the River Hopkins as holiday accommodation and called this property Lyndoch. Rolfe improved this property adding stables, jetty, boathouse, bone and chaff sheds, reservoir and windmill and extensive gardens. Rolfe spent most of his later life at Lyndoch. Today the property is the site of an Aged Care Facility. This certificate is of considerable importance for two reasons: 1. It is an attractive and valuable memento of a signal event in Australia’s history – the Federation of the States in 1901. 2. The certificate was an invitation to Mr and Mrs George Rolfe. Rolfe was a prominent person in Warrnambool in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This is a multi-coloured certificate mounted on a piece of grey cardboard. The certificate is highly embossed and has a figure of Britannia in a red dress and a mailed vest holding a shield with the Union Jack emblem. Britannia is extending her hand to a figure of a younger woman representing Australia. This figure is dressed in blue and holds a shield which has a blue cross with white stars. The borders have vines and vine leaves and the Royal Crest is at the base of the certificate. The names of the invitees are handwritten in black ink. ‘In Celebration of the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, To Meet Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, His Majesty’s Ministers of State for Australia have the honor to invite Mr & Mrs G. Rolfe to an Evening Reception at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne on the 9th of May 1901, at 8 0’clock’. george rolfe of lyndoch, warrnambool, federation of australia, history of warrnambool, george rolfe

This special edition was issued as a souvenir of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II as monarch of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon took place on 2 June 1953. Elizabeth ascended the throne at the age of 25, upon the death of her father, King George VI, on 6 February 1952. The Evening News was an evening newspaper published in London from 1881 to 1980 and was very popular. The paper was founded by Coleridge Kennard and Harry Marks with the first issue appearing on July 26, 1881. On the 2nd June 1953, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place and the commonwealth countries, including Australia joined in the celebration. Saving an item dedicated to the royal family is typical of the general feeling of respect and admiration felt by the rural communities towards the British Royal Family, especially towards Queen Elizabeth II.A newspaper of 8 pp, The Evening News Souvenir Edition of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11. It contains b/w photographs of the coronation as well as advertisements, stories, comic strips and puzzles.royal-family elizabeth-coronation newspaper evening-news

The Carnival of 1953 was staged at College as part of the celebrations for the opening of the Tower, dormitories and Hall extension of the main Ballarat College buildings, 1425 Sturt Street, Ballarat. Opened by His Excellency, the Governor, General Sir Dallas Brooks and dedicated by the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victora, Right Reverend W A Alston the formalities were followed by a two day Carnival and culminated in a dance on Saturday evening. The very successful Carnival raised 1334 pounds and was voted an outstandng success. For more information see the school magazine, The Minervan, August 1953, pp 6-8. Small round lapel badge with white printing on red; Ballarat College crest surrounded by motto and encircled with the words: Ballarat College Carnival 27-28 Feb. 1953Ballarat College crest surrounded by motto and encircled with the words: Ballarat College Carnival 27-28 Feb. 1953ballarat-college, fund-raising, 1953, building opening, sir dallas brooks

Contents: • Next meeting; Discussion Evening: Victoria’s 150th celebrations and other forthcoming activities • Public tour • Other 150th events • Heritage Week • Society trip • Eltham Court House The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 photocopied newsletter distributed to membersnewsletter, eltham district historical society, shire of eltham historical society

Document. An invitation to Mr. T.R.Langdon to an evening Reception to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, during the Celebration of the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. 9th may 1901.document, memo, invitation to mr. langdon

Back to Port Melbourne celebrations were an early type of Port Melbourne Festival.One of two festival badges from 1932 : tin, white, printed in brown: "Back to Port Melbourne - Admit to Gymkhana on Station Pier - Afternoon & Evening - Mayor's Appeal", identical except for date: one April 7th", this one May 7th". The latter was the actual date, so possibly a printing error.celebrations fetes and exhibitions, piers and wharves - station pier, social activities

3 fold commemorative programme for "Gala Dinner and Presentation Evening " for the announcement of the Team of the Century for Port Melbourne Football Club. Saturday 2nd August 2003. Pale blue with football club logo watermark.sport - australian rules football, celebrations fetes and exhibitions, port melbourne football club, pmfc

The celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24 was renamed Empire Day in 1903 after her death in 1901. It was celebrated throughout the British Empire culminating in fireworks and bonfires in the evening. Empire Day was first introduced in 1905 to promote loyalty among the dominion countries of the British Empire. (from https://dictionaryofsydney.org/event/empire_day) Celebrated on 24 May, Queen Victoria's birthday, it was directed especially at school children. Teachers were encouraged to promote special steps to develop a feeling of pride in the British Empire and the achievements of the British race. Often a morning of short addresses, recitations and patriotic songs such as 'Rule Britannia' and 'Advance Australia' was followed by a half-day holiday to mark the celebration of Australia's strong ties to the British Empire. (from MuseumsVictoria)Empire Day was a celebration of the British Empire that was held for many years in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and other countries. It took place every year on May 24, the date of Queen Victoria's birthday. Queen Victoria ruled England for 63 years. this item reflects the loyalty to and recognition of the British royal family in the first half of the 20th century.A black / white photograph of a large group of people , men in suits, women in long dresses. They are in a large fenced clearing.on back -" EMPIRE DAY ORBOST before 1909"empire-day celebrations gatherings public-events

This photograph was found in the Orbost Historical Society's cupboard. School is unknown. A copy of this photograph has been donated by Gil and Heather Richardson via the Mary Gilbert Collection. It is probably of students of Jarrahmond school where Miss Cope was the head teacher C 1916. This photograph could be associated with a celebration of Empire Day. The celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24 was renamed Empire Day in 1903 after her death in 1901. It was celebrated throughout the British Empire culminating in fireworks and bonfires in the evening. Empire Day was first introduced in 1905 to promote loyalty among the dominion countries of the British Empire. (from https://dictionaryofsydney.org/event/empire_day) Celebrated on 24 May, Queen Victoria's birthday, it was directed especially at school children. Teachers were encouraged to promote special steps to develop a feeling of pride in the British Empire and the achievements of the British race. Often a morning of short addresses, recitations and patriotic songs such as 'Rule Britannia' and 'Advance Australia' was followed by a half-day holiday to mark the celebration of Australia's strong ties to the British Empire. (from MuseumsVictoria) Some identified are; Top row -E- Eva Trewin; N-Rita Mundy; G-Elva Trewin; N- Jack Mundy D-Jack Trewin Middle row - Miss Cope, teacher. I Daisy or Katie McLeod Front row - L -Jack Stephenson; A Lindsay Trewin ; N-Frank Richardson Helena Warren was a self-taught photographer who became both the local press correspondent and a producer of humorous trompe l'oeil postcard images. The photographer, was a thirty-two year old settler living on a small mixed farm with her husband, William, at Newmerella, near Orbost in Gippsland, Victoria, when she bought her first camera, an Austral Box quarter-plate. Her family says she was entirely self-taught. Although not clearly dentified the photograph has significance in its association with Helen Frances Warren, a popular Orbost identity who was well known as an accomplished photographer and needleworker, It is associated with education in Orbost.A very old and damaged photograph of students an a teacher under a tree. The students are holding up cards that read "England, Ireland, Scotland". The photo is on a black card frame. a woman is standing on the left. Children are posed into three rows. There is also a copy of this photograph.photograph-helena-warren education-jarrahmond

The invitation reflects official civic and vice‑regal ceremonial culture in Victoria during the mid‑20th century. Queen’s Birthday receptions at Government House were significant social and political events attended by local dignitaries and civic leaders.This item has historic and social significance as a tangible record of mid‑20th century vice‑regal ceremonial life in Victoria and reflects the formal conventions, design, and social networks of the period.Cream card invitation with black printed text and crown motif at top centre. Rectangular with rounded corners. Printed on one side (recto); verso blank except for later catalogue label.Recto (printed): “In Honour of the Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen / His Excellency The Governor and Lady Delacombe / request the pleasure of the company of / Councillor R. R. Evans & Miss K. Fletcher / at an Evening Reception / to be held on Friday, the 12th June, 1964, at 8.30 o’clock / Evening Dress or Uniform and Decorations / An answer is requested to the Aide‑de‑Camp in Waiting, Government House, Melbourne” Verso: “WI‑4292” (paper label, top right)queen’s birthday celebrations, government house, melbourne, vice‑regal ceremonies, civic leadership, social history of victoria, city of broadmeadows, k. fletcher

St Patrick's Day is celebrated on 17 March. A St Patrick's Day March was held in Ballarat. According to the Ballarat Courier of 03 February 1916 a festival was organised in Ballarat to celebrate St Patrick's Day: "ST PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL - There was an excellent attendance last night at St. Patrick's Hall to make a rangments for the annual celebration of St. Patrick's Day Festival. Mr A. W. Hager occupied the chair. The date allotted by the V.R.C. committee, Friday, 24th March, was accepted, and the festival will take place on that date, with the usual race meeting on the Miners' Racecourse, and entertainment at Her Majesty's Theatre in the evening. The secretary was instructed to appeal for the hearty co-operation of the different societies, and to ask for a holiday on 24th March. The amount of stakes and the racing programme were left in the hands of racing committee, whose report will be dealt with at the next meeting. The following officials were appointed to carry out the celebrations:--Chairman, Very Rev. Father Kennelly; vice-chairmen, Rev. Father Henneberry, T. J. O'Loughlin, and A. W. Hager; general manager, Mr M. Newton; Secretary; Mr F. T. Kierce; treasurer, Mr William White; collecting secretaries, Revs. Fathers Kennelly and Henneberry; entertainment. Mesers D. J.Ward, J. Morrisey, Fraser Hussy, Chris Hager, Shelly, Dr Spring, Dr Kelly, J.J. Coglan, P. Thornton, Jasper Coghlan, Jas Early; finance committee, Revs. Kennelly, Henneberry, Messrs White, T. Foley, Dr Spring, Brophy, Shelley. All present with power to add wore appointed a general committee. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting."Black and white photographic reproduction of the 1916 St Patrick's Day March in Sturt Street, Ballarat. A band leads the parade, a horse drawn float carries a banner "Unity of Peace & War" with hundreds following as part of the parade. ballarat irish, st patrick's day, st patrick's day march, ballarat, hager, kennelly, henneberry, o'loughlin, kierce, white, ward, morrisey, fraser, hussy, shelly, kelly, spring, coglan, foley, brophy

BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPH MRS. IMELDA McGRATH, 'STAR OF THE EVENING' WITH TOM EVANS M.L.A. AT THE JAMES ESMOND FESTIVAL BALL 1972REVERSE SIDE PHOTOGRAPH. IMELDA McGRATH TOM EVANS MLA.local history, photography, photographs, events and celebrations, james esmond festival ball.

According to information on the back of the photo, it was published in the Sunbury News to highlight then Back to Sunbury celebrations in 1952.A black and white photograph of the head and shoulders of three men. Two are dressed in evening suits and the third person is in a double breasted lounge suit for the "Back to Sunbury" celebrations. The men are identified from L-R as John Forbes, a Shire Officer, Eric Boardman, Owner of the Sunbury News, and Mr. Digman, Assistant Post Master.festivals and celebrations, forbes, john, boardman, eric, digman, - (mr), newspapers, back to sunbury, sunbury news, post offices, shire officers, postal workers, 1950s, george evans collection

All the invitations are for the celebrations in Melbourne connected with the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, on the 9th of May 1901. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York were to be present.An invitation to Mr and Mrs Jenner to attend a Conversazione in the Exhibition Buildings, on 7th May 1901 at 8pm. Card depicts a sketch of the Exhibition Buildings. Surrounding the sketch are the coats of arms for the six states, sketches of the Capital cities, Australian flora and fauna and portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. The coats of arms of the Commonwealth and Australia."AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH CELEBRATIONS" "THE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA requests the honor of the presence of Mr & Mrs L Jenner at a Conversazione in the Exhibition Building on the Evening of Tuesday 7th May 1901 at 8 p.m.rippon lea

Lyons family history: From 1907 a cab service operated from near the railway gates in Union Road. It was established and maintained by Mr C Fraser until c1916. George Rea either took over then or set up in opposition. Fred Lyons initially worked for George until he set up his own business. In time he changed over to a motor vehicle and continued his service until 1960. Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived just around the corner at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The Lyons’ home in Sunbury Crescent was called ‘Knopshambury’ - this was probably a misspelling of Knockshanbally in Co Kilkenny, the birth place of Fred’s father, Thomas Edmund Josias Lyons (1846-1915). Arthur Lyons was born in Surrey Hills on 12 Jun 1920. He became a motor mechanic / welder and lived at 55 Sunbury Crescent. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911 and revitalised from 1933-1938 by the Surrey Hills Progress Association. Street parades featuring decorated business vehicles and bonfires were a feature. This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons.The donation was made while he was in hospital. He died shortly afterwards (23 Sep 1990). Donation was finalised by a neighbour, Mrs Florence Ann Armitstead, wife of Glen Victor Armitstead. Glen was a local hairdresser. They moved to 11 Sunbury Crescent after their marriage in 1939. Arthur had no relatives to distribute the material to. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911 and revitalised by the Surrey Hills Progress Association from 1933-1938. The evening parade of floats, and vehicles both horse-drawn and motorised, proceeded along Union Road to the Surrey Gardens beneath festoons of candlelit lanterns, bunting and flags. The paper flowers used extensively on trade and business vehicles were the result of hours of work by families and friends. The Empire Day Celebrations were a great community event, in some years augmented by bonfires, including the ones in Beckett Park.Black and white photo of Fred Lyons' taxi decorated for Empire Day. The cab is parked in the street and is festooned with flowers and ribbons on the hood, bonnet radiator, running board and in the tyre spokes. Three women stand beside the cab. There are houses in the background. motor vehicles, festivals and celebrations, taxis, empire day, fred lyons, frederick adolphus lyons

Date is approximate. Donor's connection with Armitstead's Woodyard was that Frank Foley was a long term employee. The Empire Day movement was instituted in England in 1904 and on 24 May 1906 a group of Surrey Hills residents pledged to make Empire Day a success. From 1932-1938 large Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills and business and commercial vehicles were decorated to take part in large processions held in May each year. These attracted large crowds from all over Melbourne. The truck is parked outside Nethercourt Hospital at 15 Barton Street. The Armitstead family had a business in Union Road which supplied wood in winter and ice in summer. Photos such as this one are evidence of the importance once attached to celebrating Empire Day, which was held on 24 May (Queen Victoria’s birthday). From 1905, a range of patriotic activities across Australia were performed on this day. There was a focus on schoolchildren, who were given a half-holiday, and the occasion was often highlighted with bonfires and fireworks in the evening - in this area at Beckett Park. The parade down Union Road was famous throughout Melbourne and attracted large crowds. Floats in the parade were often decked with British flags. The pro-Empire sentiment in the Surrey Hills area in part reflected the background and strong ties of many families.Black and white photo of a delivery truck with bunting and ferns over the cabin and back. The wheels have straws around the rims and more foliage is on the cabin roof and bonnet. The back of the tray is up and boxes, foliage and possibly a lion's head decorate the tray. Behind is a 2 storey (?) rendered building with an external timber staircase broken in 2 by a landing. The house sits behind a simple picket fence.On the cabin door of the truck: "S ARMITS ....[remainder in shadow] / Surrey Hills / phone 10X1816 / [undecipherable]" On back of the original in pencil in top centre left "446a" in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting; centre on a piece of paper stuck on with tape "Mrs D Foley / 39 Sunbury Cres., / Surrey Hills / Phone 8301163".empire day, festival and celebrations, woodyard, parades, processions, hospitals, nethercourt hospital, stephen godfrey armitstead, frank foley, mrs d foley, barton street

The commemorative booklet 'Our Invited Guests for the Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia : An open directory of the guests invited to Melbourne, May 9th 1901' lists invitees from each Australian State. The Misses Dowling are not on this list, however the booklet does list The Hon Thomas Dowling MLC, and his "lady" from Camperdown as well as Edwin Percy Dowling esq, Shire Secretary of Camperdown. Perhaps the Misses Dowling were part of this family. While not invited to the opening of Parliament on the 9th, the guest list for later events may have been extended on other occasions.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. An invitation on card to the Misses Dowling to attend 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.Printed on a banner across the top: 'IN CELEBRATION / OF THE / OPENING / PARLIAMENT of the COMMONWEALTH / OF AUSTRALIA' Printed below the banner: 'To meet Their Royal Highness / the DUKE and DUCHESS of CORNWALL & / YORK / His Majesty's / MINISTERS OF STATE FOR AUSTRALIA / have the honor to invite / [handwritten] The Misses Dowling / to an Evening Reception at the / Exhibition Building MELBOURNE, / on the 9th of May 1901, at 8 o'clock'.federation events - victoria, australian federation 1901, misses dowling - kew, royal visits, federation events - victoria, australain federation 1901, misses dowling, royal visits, melbourne exhibition building

The commemorative booklet 'Our Invited Guests for the Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia : An open directory of the guests invited to Melbourne, May 9th 1901' lists invitees from each Australian State. Mr & Mrs. J. M. Campbell are on this list, and recoded as residing at "Ramornie" 40 Pakington Street, Kew.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 on card to Mr. & Mrs J. M. Campbell to attend 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.Printed on a banner across the top: 'IN CELEBRATION / OF THE / OPENING / PARLIAMENT of the COMMONWEALTH / OF AUSTRALIA' Printed below the banner: 'To meet Their Royal Highness / the DUKE and DUCHESS of CORNWALL & / YORK / His Majesty's / MINISTERS OF STATE FOR AUSTRALIA / have the honor to invite / [handwritten] Mr. & Mrs J. M. Campbell / to an Evening Reception at the / Exhibition Building MELBOURNE, / on the 9th of May 1901, at 8 o'clock'.federation -- australia -- 1901, parliament -- australia, invitations -- 1901

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