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

INDEX TO THE VARIOUS CLAUSES OF THE NEW REGULATIONS - SANDHURST GOLDFIELDS / small brown , string bound , stained paper booklet / page 1 shows SANDHURST GOLDFIELDS General Regulations - Chief Secretary's Office , Melbourne , 22nd August , 1856. 'His excellency the Officer administering the government , with the advice of the Executive Council , has approved and authorised the promulgation of the following General Regulations dated the 3rd of October , 1855 ) under the Act of Council 18 Victoria No. 37. By His Excellency's Command ,W.5044, William C Haines' - back page shows Argus Stationery Depot , Pike's Buildings , Pall Mall, Sandhurst.book, bendigo, argus stationery depot , pike's buildings , pall mall, sandhurst , /1871, english, book edition: rules and regulations of the bendigo mining exchange, 1871. bendigo mining exchange.///index to the various clauses of the new regulations - sandhurst goldfields