This book contains private letters which G. S. Mackay wrote to his daughter, Meta? and his aunt in the 1920’s. G. S. Mackay was born in Sutherlandshire Scotland in 1850. He qualified as a solicitor and came to Australia in 1884 and later to Warrnambool in 1893. He served as a Warrnambool City Councillor and also held a number of important positions within the Presbyterian Church. He was one of the earliest and strongest supporters of the Warrnambool High School. Many of the letters within this book are to his daughter who studied medicine in Glasgow in the early 1900’s. G. S Mackay was prominent in legal, civic and religious life in Warrnambool almost from the time of his arrival in 1893 until his death in 1926. Many of these letters are of a religious nature and as such display that aspect and personal thoughts of Mr Mackay’s personal life. Dark green fabric cover with light brown suede spine and cover edges. Hard cover. Green patterned paper inside front and back covers. Alphabetical index at front. Pale fine yellow pages numbered up to 502. L. ****Queen Douglas, Newpark West Calder, MidLothian 14 miles from Edin’h Ry Stn Newpark. Meta Selby The Calouda(?) Club 35 St Georges Square London S.W.1 warrnambool, g.s. mackay letter book, solicitor, g. s mackay councillor.

This certificate is one of a number held by the Warrnambool and District Historical society which relate to the occasion of Federation of Australia , January 01/1901. Some are for social functions at the time others like this are for more formal occasions. There was a strong local vote for Federation at the referendum in 1898 with district figures 957 voting for and 146 against . By 1899 the vote had increased to 1411 yes and 39 against.. The official federation celebrations were held in Sydney and Warrnambool like towns all over Australia held celebrations. The Mayor and five of Warrnambool's councillors travelled to Sydney for the celebrations. The first federal Member of Parliament for the Warrnambool district was John Chester Manifold of "Talindert," Camperdown. Some local well known people of the time who were contributed in various fields to the Federation spirit, include John Archibald, Willian Astley, Louis Bayer, Richard Kennedy, Walter Murdoch, and Con O'Mahony. This certificate has an added link to Warrnambool in that the son of Councillor W. Henry, Victor Henry, an art student had designed and illuminated the municipal Addresses presented to the Governor general and the Duke of York. This item has historical, artistic social and interpretive significance. It links the most important event of the Federation of Australia to our city. That the art work was completed by Victor Henry, a local person is a significant claim to fame for our city. It presents an opportunity for present generations to consider local aspects of the process of the Federation of our country.Framed Certificate. Inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia, Municipal Association of Victoria 1901. Signed by councillorsWilliam Ferguson Mayor, Giffens Russell, John Ward, John Marfell, Chas Macknight, W J Hickford, W Simpson, G S Mackay, M Saltau, H C Lawson, E J Murray William Kucks Jnr, W Henry. Small card inserted in bottom right reads With compliments of W Ferguson, Mayor.warrnambool, warrnambool history, warrnambool at federation, federation of australia, victor henry