Australia's six British colonies, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, became a Federation on January 1st, 1901, uniting to be the Commonwealth of Australia. The Government of Victoria invited Mr C Swinburne to attend the official celebrations of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V)'s Opening of the Federal Parliament. The historic occasion was held at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building, beginning at noon on May 9th, 1901. Swinburne was one of the 12,000 guests to witness the event in person, along with representatives from all six states of Australia. The assembled group represented politics, business and industry, the arts, religion, education, and those in roles of public service. In Melbourne, the occasion was followed by two weeks of celebrations. Mr Chas (Charles) Grant Swinburne (1864-1934) of Warrnambool was a prominent member of the Toc H. Progress Association and several other local clubs and societies. He married Susan Jane Granter (1867-19 June 1935), also a Warrnambool resident, in 1891. Susan was the daughter of Joseph (1832-1879) and Ann Granter (nee Holley). Her father had arrived in Melbourne on the ship Marco Polo in February 1856. In 1868, he was a shareholder of the Warrnambool Steam Packet Co., His portrait is among those recognised on the historic Warrnambool Pioneers Board. The invitation is significant for its connection to the Federation of Australia in 1901. It is also significant for its connection to Victoria's Parliament, and to HRH the Dunk of Cornwall and York. It is of significance that Mr Swinburne of Warrnambool was recognised as worthy of the invitation to such an important event in the history of Australia.Invitation; certificate size, colour lithograph printed on cream card with gilt highlighting. It is from the Victorian Government to Mr C Swinburne, to celebrate the Opening of Federal Parliament by HRH The Duke of Cornwall and York, held in Melbourne. The invitation has printed and handwritten text, figures, decorative symbols, and gilt accents behind the central figure, on the capital letters of the message, and on the Advance Australia Arms. A handwritten label covers previously handwritten text. The invitation is addressed to Mr C Swinburne. The invitation has no reference to a date, address or time. [Printed before the celebration, held in Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Buildings at noon on May 9th, 1901] Bottom left: Combined Arms: "[Duke of Cornwall and York, Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert, Princess Alexandra, his Duchess]" Bottom right: Advance Australia Arms "[Shield with six symbols, between Kangaroo and Emu, and below Rising Sun'] ADVANCE AUSTRALIA"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, invitation, certificate, mr c swinburne, government of victoria, opening of federal parliament, hrh the duke of cornwall and york, c swinburne, susan jane granter, susan jane swinburne, federal parliament, 1901, australian federation, ceremonies, politics, royal exhibition building, invited guest

This book containing the 17 cantos of Don Juan, was owned by Con O’Mahony a lawyer who lived in Warrnambool at the turn of the 20th century He won the Bowen prize for essay writing in 1883. He operated from Royal Chambers in Kepler St Warrnambool for some time in partnership with Mr E W Klingender. An item which belonged to one of Warrnambool’s most prominent citizens at the time.Blue linen over card embossed in gold with crest and mermaid on front cover with overall pattern of crowns and the letter “B” Title Poet and publisher’s name in gold on spine of book. Back cover plain. 612 pages with 4 black and white plates included.Stamped C O’Mahony Solicitors Warrnambool in purple ink. Dedication: to Algernon Charles Swinburne. MDCCCC11(1902)Printed by William Clowes and sons Limited London and Beccles.warrnambool, con o’mahony, byron’s works,