First Commonwealth Parliament 1901stawell

A report in the Ballarat Star on 8 May 1901 recorded that: "THE CONVERSAZIONE. A GREAT SUCCESS. The conversazion given by the Government of Victoria at the Exhibition was very largely patronised. the guests includ ing the Prime Minister and a goodly proportion of the distinguished personages now in Melbourne. A programme of high-class music was gone through, and refreshments were served during the evening. Australian wines were very prominent."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.Colour lithograph mounted on card to an evening event, a conversazione, held in the Exhibition Building on the evening of Tuesday 7th May 1901, as part of the Australian Commonwealth Celebrations. The recipients of the invitation were Mr and Mrs James Maitland Campbell of Kew. The Government of Victoria hosted the event. The invitation shows an etching of the Exhibition Building, surrounded by an ornate border of heraldic shields, portraits of the Duke and Duchess, views of Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Hobart, and native flora (including wattle, waratah, pink heath, Sturt’s desert pea, and flannel flower), and native fauna (kookaburra, possum, lyre bird, cockatoo and koala). The royal crest ‘Dieu et mon droit’ and the Australian crest, ‘Advance Australia’ are also included.Printed: UNITED AUSTRALIA 1901 / ONE FLAG / ONE HOPE / ONE DESTINY; AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH CELEBRATIONS / THE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA requests the honour of the presence of / / at a Conversazione in the Exhibition Building on the Evening of Tuesday 7th May 1901 at 8 P.M. Handwritten: Mr & Mrs J. M. Campbell.sands & mcdougall ltd, documents - invitations, first commonwealth parliament 1901, james maitland campbell (1847-1930), ramornie, ramornie - pakington street

SUNDAY SCHOOL DEMONSTRATION. With three times three we coo-ee, The Prince we meet again; Our Princess May we welcome, With heart and voice amain. This was the welcome of the children of the Melbourne Sunday schools. The greeting came from over 30,000 youthful voices to the accompaniment of as many waving flags of diminutive size, held by the children. Probably not one of those who sang so lustily had witnessed the previous visit of his Royal Highness; or knew anything of it except as a traditional event, but the sentiment was a good and proper one all the same. The children were massed on the rising ground in the Domain, and apparently the long wait was not at all wearying. It was to most of them a huge picnic. They lunched on the grass, and filled in the intervening lime with games such as the juvenile heart delights in. At intervals something approaching order, was observed, and then songs, which have been in rehearsal for some weeks past, were sung under the baton of Mr. D. R. Davies, musical director, and to the lead of a united brass band of over a hundred instrumentalists under Bandmaster E; T. Code. A solo was also sung by Mr. H. J. Floyd. At all times the scene was an exceedingly animated one. Most of the children were attired in light costumes, and those in whose dress there was some color provided the necessary variety to make up a most picturesque scene. Probably there were nearly 35,000 adults and children at this spot. They occupied the frontage to St. Kilda-road, from Government House gates to the intersecting thoroughfare beyond. As the children were confined to the high ground, there was a green strip in front of them, and the dark green of the fir trees at the top of the slope made a most suitable background. Between these two lines of even coloring the children, with the easy freedom of youth, made perhaps as pretty a feature of the pageant as could be found anywhere in the whole route of the procession." (The Age, Tues 7 May 1901, p.6)This tiny battered piece of ephemera recording the United Sunday School Demonstration of 1901 must once have been exceedingly common, however in the context of the growing collection that the Society has relating to the opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament in Melbourne it has historic and social significance.Embossed red leather bookmark commemorating the 'United Sunday Schools Demonstration' in St Kilda Road in 1901 to welcome the Prince and Princess of Wales to open the first Commonwealth Parliament in the Royal Exhibition Building."United Sunday Schools Demonstration, Melbourne Australia, Melbourne May 6 1901"opening of the first commonwealth parliament - 1901, sunday schools - victoria, federation events - victoria - 1901, ephemera

A report in the Ballarat Star on 8 May 1901 recorded that: "THE CONVERSAZIONE. A GREAT SUCCESS. The conversazion given by the Government of Victoria at the Exhibition was very largely patronised. the guests includ ing the Prime Minister and a goodly proportion of the distinguished personages now in Melbourne. A programme of high-class music was gone through, and refreshments were served during the evening. Australian wines were very prominent."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 owned and displayed by Mrs Grace Tabulo, the owner of 'Fairyland', 57 Malmsbury Street, Kew.Colour lithograph mounted on card to an evening event, a conversazione, held in the Exhibition Building on the evening of Tuesday 7th May 1901, as part of the Australian Commonwealth Celebrations. The Government of Victoria hosted the event. The invitation shows an etching of the Exhibition Building, surrounded by an ornate border of heraldic shields, portraits of the Duke and Duchess, views of Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Hobart, and native flora (including wattle, waratah, pink heath, Sturt’s desert pea, and flannel flower), and native fauna (kookaburra, possum, lyre bird, cockatoo and koala). The royal crest ‘Dieu et mon droit’ and the Australian crest, ‘Advance Australia’ are also included.Printed front: UNITED AUSTRALIA 1901 / ONE FLAG / ONE HOPE / ONE DESTINY; AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH CELEBRATIONS / THE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA requests the honour of the presence of / [name deleted] / at a Conversazione in the Exhibition Building on the Evening of Tuesday 7th May 1901 at 8 P.M. Reverse [handwritten]: Mrs G. Tabulo, 57 Malmsbury St.sands & mcdougall ltd, documents - invitations, first commonwealth parliament 1901, grace tabulo -- fairyland -- 57 malmsbury street -- kew (vic.)

This book is a memento of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwell and York to Melbourne in May 1901, they came here to open the first Commonwealth Parliament of AustraliaThe book is part of a collection from the H H Bradley family, the other items are personal invitations to the opening of the first Parliament.Paperback Book. an 80 page book with soft card covers bound with green cloth binding, mainly pictorial, of their visit to opening of the 1st Commonwealth Parliament of Austrlia with a description with each photo in black and white, the cover is partly dark brown with the rest there is a photo of a river on the bottom right hand corner and the book title on the left within a scrolled frame and the dark brown background. front and back cover quite grubby, bottom right had corner missing and torn 20+20mm, a finger nail size missing middle right hand side, bottom left hand corner next to binding has a 22+25mm Piece missing

This certificate is an invitation to the opening of the first Parliament of Australia on January 1st 1901 in Melbourne. On this date the six Australian self-governing colonies were federated to become the six states of Australia. The designers of the certificate were Norman Lindsay and John Longstaff. This particular invitation was sent to George Rolfe and his wife and two of his stepdaughters, Annie and Florence. 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 Rolfe owned 50 acres in the town, including farming properties and used the buildings near the mouth of the Hopkins as holiday accommodation. He called his property Lyndoch which he improved with the addition of stables, chaff and bone sheds, jetty, boathouse, reservoir, water well and windmill and extensive gardens and he spent most of his later life in this Warrnambool area. Lyndoch today is the site of an aged care facility. This certificate is of considerable importance for two reasons: 1. It is an important memento of a signal event in Australia’s history - the Federation of the States in 1901. 2. The certificate was an invitation to the family of a prominent Warrnambool person – George Rolfe of Lyndoch.This is a piece of thick paper with illustrations and decorations in brown, red, blue, yellow and green tonings. The lettering is in white with coloured capital letters. The images include the shields of the six Australian States, the Coat of Arms of Britain and Australia, outlines of two trees (gum tree and oak tree) and three symbolic female figures representing Justice, Britannia and Australia. The top border decoration represents the waratah flower. The names of the invitees on this certificate have been handwritten in black ink. ‘Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth by His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall and York’ ‘Mr G and Mrs Rolfe and the Misses Rolfe (2)’ george rolfe of lyndoch, federation of australia, history of warrnambool, george rolfe, opening of first parliament of australia

This is an invitation to George and Annie Rolfe of Lyndoch, Warrnambool, to attend the opening of the first Australian Parliament in Melbourne in May 1901. A smaller invitation card was first sent to the recipients and this larger invitation was sent after the event for the recipients to keep as a souvenir. The six Australian colonies became six Australian States in the newly-formed Commonwealth of Australia in January 1901. George Rolfe (1836-1919), a tea merchant from Melbourne, began buying blocks of land in Warrnambool near the mouth of the Hopkins River in the 1870s. By the early 1880s Rolfe owned 50 acres of land in the town and other nearby pastoral properties. He used the existing building on the land near the mouth of the Hopkins River as holiday accommodation, calling the property Lyndoch and adding stables, bone and chaff sheds, jetty, boathouse, reservoir and windmill and an extensive garden. George Rolfe spent most of his later life at Lyndoch. Today the area is the site of an aged care facility. This certificate is of considerable importance for two reasons: 1. It is an important memento of a signal event in Australia’s history – the Federation of the States in 1901. 2. The certificate was an invitation to George Rolfe of Lyndoch and his wife. Rolfe was a prominent Warrnambool person at that time. This is a piece of cardboard containing an illustration of a young queen in battle dress and on horseback bowing to an image of Britannia. The queen is about to be crowned. There are several lady attendants in the background and two large columns depicted on the sides of the illustration with shields and banners. An extract from Kipling’s poem, The Young Queen, is printed at the bottom of the card. The invitation is coloured in brown, yellow, white and orange tonings. The name of the recipient of the card is handwritten in black ink. The card is slightly scuffed and marked. The card is an invitation to Mr and Mrs Rolfe to attend the Opening of the First Australian Parliament in Melbourne in May 1901. ‘Mr & Mrs G. Rolfe’ federation in australia, george rolfe and family, history of warrnambool, lyndoch warrnambool

Gideon Nicol (1836-1908) was a seaman who came to Warrnambool in 1858. In 1865 he selected land at Mount Warrnambool. He was one of the founders of the Farnham Cheese and Butter Factory and the Garvoc Cheese and Butter Factory and was a Warrnambool Shire Councillor from 1879 to 1906. He received to invitation to attend the opening of Australia’s first Parliament as the President of the Warrnambool Shire at the time. This scan will be useful to include in the Gideon Nicol file.This is a scan of an invitation to Gideon Nicol and Lady as President of the Shire of Warrnambool for the opening of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. It is on an A4 sheet. Multi-coloured sketches of Britannia etc with invitation detailsfederation, gideon nicol, warrnambool, opening of parliament

This is a book of eighty pages with a cover containing ornamental gold scrolls and two photographs and dark green printing. The binding is green baize cloth with three metal staples. The pages contain printed text and black and white photographs.non-fictionSouvenir Booklet of the Opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament of Australiaaustralian history, australian first parliament, opening of first parliament of australia

This coin was issued to commemorate the centenary of Federation in Australia in 2001. The six Australian States were federated into the Commonwealth of Australia in January 1901 after several years of campaigning and planning. The first Prime Minister was Edmund Barton and the first Federal Parliament was held in Melbourne and continued to be held in Melbourne until the establishment of the Australian capital at Canberra in 1927. In 2001 ceremonies and celebrations were held all over Australia to commemorate the centenary of Federation. This coin is retained for display purposes as a souvenir of the centenary of Federation in AustraliaThis silver-coloured 12-sided coin has an image of Queen Elizabeth 11 and etched printing on one side and a Coat of Arms and printing on the other side. Elizabeth 11 Australia 2001 Centenary of Federation 1901 - 2001 New South Wales Fifty Cents federation in australia, history of warrnambool, coin

This was 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. This of minor interest as a memento of the centenary of Australian Federation.This is a gold coloured metal stylised map of Australia and a star . The perimeter of the map is raised and links to the star. The reverse has a lapel badge mechanism. It is attached to a piece of white card with text. Federation Badge 2001federation of australia

These medals were issued to commemorate the opening of the first Parliament in Australia in Melbourne in May 1901. The Federation of the Australian States and Territories took place in January 1901. The Federal Parliament met in Melbourne until Canberra was established and a new Parliament House was opened in 1927. The fist Parliament in Australia was opened by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. These medals have no known local provenance and are retained for display purposes..1 This is a shield-shaped metal medal with a crown on the top. Obverse: Images of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York and printing. Reverse: Images of Queen Victoria and Edward V11 and printing. .2 as above Opening of the First Federal Parliament T.R.H The Duke & Duchess of Cornwall and York Melbourne, May 1901 Aust. Commonwealth Est. 1 Jan. 1901 First Parliament opened May 1901 63rd of Victoria R.I. 1st of Edward V11 W.A. Tas. N.S.W. Vic. S.A. Qld.

Souvenir medals - British Royalty and First Federal Australian Parliament. Earliest date: 1837 - 1901.Medals of Commonwealth and National significance.3 bronze medals with red/white/blue rlbbons. Presented to Wycheproof S.S. by Maurice Boyce 1877 -1978. 1. Coronation of King George v & Queen Mary, June 22nd, 1911. 2. Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee1837-1897. 3. Opening of the First Federal Parliament by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall &York, May 1901. queen victoria, duke & duchess, federal parliament

This is a commemorative medal issued to school teachers to commemorate the opening of the first Parliament of Australia, held in Victoria in 1901.this item was created to commemorate an historic event, the opening of the Australian federal Parliament, in May 1901.A shield shaped bronze medal. On one side are busts of the Duke and duchess of Cornwall and York. The other side depicts HM Queen Victoria and King Edward V11. There is a small length of red, white and blue ribbon threaded through the metal loop at the top.obverse : "AUST COMMONWEALTH / EST.1 JAN 1901 /63RD OF VICTORIA, R.I. below , FIRST PARLIAMENT OPENED /MAY 1901 / 1ST OF EDWARD V11; below, WA TAS NSW VIC QLD" reverse: "OPENING OF THE FIRST / FEDERAL PARLIAMENT below , T.R.H. / THE DUKE & DUCHESS OF CORNWALL / AND YORK / MELBOURNE MAY 1901medal australian-federation federal-parliament-australia

Medallion: Opening of Federal Parliament Medallion. Shield shaped medallion with crown on top. Pictures of King Edward and Queen Victoria, Duke and Duchess of Cornwall with inscription. Issued to commemorate opening of 1st Federal Parliament by Duke and Duchess at Melbourne Exhibition Building, 1901. Box 625Opening of the first Federal Parliament T.R.H. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwell and York. Melbourne May 1901. Aust. Commonwealth est 1st Jan 1901 63D of Victoria R.I. First Parliament opened May 1901 1st of Edward V11 W.A. TAS. NSW. SA. QLDnumismatics, medals - commemorative, 1901.1st federal parliament opening. king edward. queen victoria.

Object. Shield shaped medal of gilt metal with crown at the top with suspension ring attached. Opening of Federal Parliament. Obverse: Across the top ''OPENING OF THE FIRST FEDERAL PARLIAMENT''. Across the bottom: ''TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall may 1901''. Centre: Imprints of Their Royal Highnesses. Reverse: ''AUST COMMONWEALTH. ENT 1 MAY 1901 83D OF VICTORIA R1, FIRST PARLIAMENT OPENING MAY 1901, 1ST OF EDWARD V11. WA TAS NSW VIC SA QLD, Imprints of KING EDWARDV11 and QUEEN ALEXANDRA''.numismatics, medals - commemorative, federal parliament medal 1901

Booklet contains photographs of: THH the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York; Earl of Hopetoun, Governor General, and Countess; Commonwealth Ministry; The Royal Party at Government House Melbourne; TRH the Duke and Duchess Landing at St Kilda Pier; The Mayor of Melbourne Welcoming His Royal Highness at the entrance to the City; Procession Passing down Bourke Street; Presentation of War Medals to Victorian Soldiers; The Duke of York and his Staff; St Kilda and Prahran Arch; City Arch; Procession passing Princes Bridge; Opening Ceremony at First Federal Parliament; Citizens' Arch; Queen Victoria Arch; Royal Yacht Ophir; Warships Gromoboi (Russian) and Brooklyn (USA); German Arch; Chinese Arch; State School Fete at Exhibition Building; The University Commencement; Group of Fijian Constabulary; Laying Foundation Stone, Soldiers' Memorial Ballarat; Visit to South Star Gold Mine, Ballarat; Illuminations at Princes Bridge and Flinders Street Station; Illuminations at Parliament House and Treasury; Illuminations at Town Hall and City ArchGold coloured paper cover embossed and tied with gold thread. Contains 16 pages of cream coloured paper printed in black, some with blue decorative margins.Handwritten inscription on title page: 'For the Boy from Grandfather in memory of a very happy time we spent together May 1901'duke and duchess of cornwall and york, royal visits, 1901, opening of parliament, federation arch, st kilda and prahran arch, city arch, german arch, chinese arch

This reproduction photograph was donated at a major reunion in 2008, organised by students of the school from the 1950s. It pictures Mabel Molland and a young student at Monomeith, home to the school since 1956. Monomeith is a Victorian Heritage Register listed (VHR number H0452), italianate styled brick villa, built in 1887 for one of Williamstown’s most important identities, James Styles. Styles’ distinguished career in public life included membership of the Williamstown Council, a stint in state parliament as the Member for Williamstown (1894-1900) and, in 1901, election to the first commonwealth parliament as a senator. During the 1890s he was also a commissioner of both the Melbourne Harbour Trust and the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works and one of the trustees of the Williamstown Grammar School. The property comprises the residence designed by W Bennett Hall and built by James Styles in 1887 and the former migrant hostel buildings (now administration and classrooms), erected around 1951 by the then owner the Melbourne Harbour Trust, and intended to house migrant workers during the dredging of Port Phillip Bay. By the 1950s, the School had outgrown its home at Holy Trinity Hall and Mabel Molland reached out to Mr. Keith White, president of the Parent's Association and well-respected member of Williamstown Council for assistance. In 1956, following lengthy negotiations led by Mr. White, Monomeith was leased from the Melbourne Harbour Trust under a seven-year lease, which eventuated as a twenty-one year lease, followed by purchase of the property in 1972. Since then this historic building has come to be a much-loved symbol of the history of Westbourne Grammar School. This is a rare image of Mabel Molland at Monomeith, taken in the year prior to her retirement having taken over the school in 1914 and then set it on a path for the future as an incorporated company in the hands of a school council, with Mr Keith White as president, in 1956. Black and white reproduction photograph of a a residence (Monomeith) with steps in the middle ground, leading up to a verandah with ornate ironwork. Mabel Molland stands on the steps and a young student can be seen on the verandah.

Programme of celebrations during the visit of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York for the opening of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia from the 6th to the 16th May 190148 pages : illustrations, maps, portraits

Program for Celebrations for the opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, from 6th to 16th May 1901 opening during the visit of their Royal Highnesses of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York 48 page program, printed in sepia ink includes photographs, maps and portraits of parliamentary officials

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

The Correspondent for The Argus on 10 May 1901 described the opening on 9 May as: "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.A colour lithograph mounted on card which is an invitation to the Opening of the First Commonwealth Parliament of Australia, 9 May 1901. The invitation was sent to Mr J.M. & Mrs Campbell. John Longstaff and Norman Lindsay’s design for the invitation includes symbolic female figures and coats of arms of the British and Australian Commonwealth. The central figure represents Justice. At her feet a crown and sceptre are laid, ‘to denote that the monarch will always acquiesce in laws passed by Parliament, provided they are just.’ On the left appears a figure of Britannia, above the royal coat of arms and in front of the white cliffs of England; on the right is a female figure representing Australia, with one hand out-stretched and above the Australian Coat of Arms. Behind her is a pastoral scene; she stands beneath a gum tree. At the top is a border of waratahs; on the left is a border of oak. The six states are represented in shields at the bottom of the card.Front, printed. gold ink: "Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth By his Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall and York / The Government of Victoria requests the honour of the presence of / Mr. J . M. and Mrs. Campbell (handwritten / At the Celebrations in Melbourne in connection with the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia."parliament of australia -- 1901, royal exhibition building -- melbourne (vic), james maitland campbell

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 owned by Mrs Grace Tabulo, and displayed at her home - Fairyland - at 57 Malmsbury Street, KewAn invitation, mounted on card 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. Front, printed. gold ink: "His Majesty's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth of Australia request the honour of the presence of / ****l (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." Reverse: Mrs G. Tabulo, 57 Malmsbury Streetaustralia -- federation -- 1901, invitations, parliament -- opening -- 1901, grace tabulo -- fairyland -- 57 malmsbury street -- kew (vic.)