This hat belonged to Mr William Grant, Shire President of Bacchus Marsh. Mr Grant and his wife were invited to the opening of the first Federal Parliament held in the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, on the 9th May 1901. The opening was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later George V and Queen Mary) and 12,000 guests. Mr Grant's family were early settlers in Bacchus Marsh, and both he and his father were influential people in the town. They owned the property "Millbank". When William Grant died in 1924, his obituary in the 'Express' listed 17 public positions he held, including severaal terms as Shire President.This item has historical significance at a local, state and national level. It is representative of formal gentlemen's dress in the latter part of the 19th century/early 20th century.Gentleman's black shiny velour top hat with silk ribbon band, bound inside with leather sweat band, adjustable with silk ties. Inscription inside hat. Purple lining with gold embossing. Light canvas coated inside. Protective silver paper sweat band under leather sweat band.Inscription in gold inside hat reads "GREASE PROOF / Prize Medal" / Royal Insignia with motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense" / "VENTILATED / AND / FELT BANDED".1910, top hat, gentlemen s fashion, mr grant, velour, ninteenth century attire, skilled hatter, upper class attire, formal wear, monopoly token, president bacchus marsh shire, federation celebrations 1910, federation, owner millbank, mad hatter, opening parliament 1910, royal exhibition building, original box, greaseproof prize medal royal isignia, the sea breeze, no 5044, size 6, 7 8

These badges appear to have been issued as part of Wattle Day celebrations in the period 1910 to 1919. The use of wattle as an Australian symbol was strong during the pre-Federation and Federation days and was particularly promoted by the Australian Natives Association, a prominent campaigner for Federation. Wattle Day was established in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide in 1910 and the wattle symbol was a strong one for servicemen serving overseas in World War One and wattle badges and pins were used to raise funds for wartime funds for such organizations as the Red Cross.These badges are of interest as an example of the strong national sentiment engendered in Australia by World War One.Five small circular badges in tones of brown and green. .1 light green background with bunch of yellow wattle below. Text in brown at the top. .2 Brown background with yellow wattle flowers and cream text. .3 Dark green background with yellow wattle flowers.Our own for our own.wattle day celebrations, australian natives association, world war one and wattle badges, warrnambool

These badges appear to have been issued as part of Wattle Day celebrations in the period 19910 to 1919. The use of wattle as an Australian symbol was strong during the pre- Federation and Federation days and was particularly promoted by the Australian Natives Association, a prominent campaigner for Federation. Wattle Day was established in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide in 1910 and the wattle symbol was a strong one for servicemen serving overseas in World War One and wattle badges and pins were used to raise funds for funds such organisations as the Red Cross.These badges are of interest as an example of the strong national sentiment engendered on Australia by World War One..1 circular metal concave badge featuring a cream map of Australia with dark green outline. An image of wattle flowers and leaves is in the centre of the map. Surrounding the map is a pale green border with text. The edge is dark green. It has a pin clip on the reverse. .2 As above .3 As above .1 WATTLE DAY .2 WATTLE DAY .3 WATTLE DAY

Program for the first opening of Parliament after Federation. Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert (1865–1936), Duke of Cornwall and York was the second son of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The visit was part of an Empire tour and a tribute to the response made throughout the Empire during the Boer War. On their return to Britain the couple were proclaimed Prince and Princess of Wales and, on the death of Edward VII in 1910, became George V and Queen Mary.White coloured folded program, printed in purpleFront page/cover: UK Coat of Arms 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. Reception by His Majesty's Ministers of State for Australia, at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on the 9th May, 1901. Middle pages: Programme (items listed) Back page/cover: Refreshments Will be Served all the Evening on the Ground Floor and in the Galleries 1901, opening of parliament, duke and duchess of cornwall and york, royal visits

Badge was almost certainly produced as part of the Federation celebrations in 1901. The couple pictured are identified as George and Mary, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen Mary, 1910-36). They visited Australia in 1901 for the innauguration of Federal Parliament.royal visits