William Grant Junior was President of the Shire of Bacchus Marsh in 1901 when the Australian Colonies federated to become a federal nation state. Grant was a member of a prominent local family and was active in public affairs throughout his life. The federation of the Australian Colonies was a turning point in Australian history and as such its achievement was celebrated in a range of ways. A major step towards achieving Federation was the referendum of July 1899 which saw five of the six Australian colonies vote in favor of Federation, with Western Australia later voting in favor in 1900.Printed poster sized document certifying that William Grant of Bacchus Marsh voted in a referendum of Victorian electors on 27th the July 1899 on the question of an Australian Federal Constitution. The body of the certificate text is surrounded on three sides by captioned photographic portraits of the Premiers of the six Australian Colonies. A British coat of arms is at the top of the certificate and at the bottom is an image of Parliament House in Melbourne, which includes a Dome, which was a projected feature of the building which was never actually added to the Victorian Parliament building.Across the top of the certificate: 'Australasian Federal Referendum July 1899'. In the centre: 'This is to certify that the question of an Australian Federal Constitution was submitted to the Electors of Victoria on the 27th day of July 1899 and that out of a Poll of 103,783 votes 152,653 were cast in favor of such Australasian Federal Constitution and further that William Grant, voted at the said election'. Signed, [George Turner], Premier. At bottom: 'Robt. S. Brian, Government Printer, Melbourne'.william grant 1850-1924, federation (1901), referendums, illuminated certificates

Bella Guerin was born on 23 April 1858, at Williamstown, Victoria. She studied at home to matriculate in 1878, and then gained her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne in 1883, becoming the first woman to graduate from an Australian university; she followed this with a Master of Arts in 1885. She taught at Loreto Convent, Ballarat, urging the establishment of higher education scholarships to produce ‘a band of noble thoughtful women as a powerful influence for good’. She married an elderly poet, Henry Halloran, who died shortly afterwards leaving her with a young son, Henry. She returned to teaching and from the mid-1890s frequented suffragist circles. A second marriage in 1909 to George D’Arcie Lavender was also short lived. Bella Guerin was vice-president of the Women’s Political Association from 1912–14 and co-authored Vida Goldstein’s 1913 Senate election pamphlet. However, dual membership of the non-party feminist camp and the Labor Party was prohibited by the latter in 1914, so from that date she campaigned for the Victorian Socialist Party and the Women’s Socialist League, speaking out on a range of controversial issues. She led the Labor Women’s Anti-Conscription Fellowship during the 1916 referendum campaign. In 1918, as vice-president of the Labor Party’s Women’s Central Organising Committee, she caused controversy by describing Labor women as ‘performing poodles and packhorses’ who were used for fundraising but under-represented in policy decisions—and she was right. Bella died in Adelaide on 26 July 1923 of cirrhosis of the liver and is remembered for her idealism, her oratory skills and her commitment to equity for women. Black and white photograph copy print of Bella Halloran (nee Guerin) with her son Henry. .2) Photograph that has been removed from displaybella guerin, bella halloran, henry halloran, julia margaret guerin, feminist, university women

Bella Guerin was born on 23 April 1858, at Williamstown, Victoria. She studied at home to matriculate in 1878, and then gained her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne in 1883, becoming the first woman to graduate from an Australian university; she followed this with a Master of Arts in 1885. She taught at Loreto Convent, Ballarat, urging the establishment of higher education scholarships to produce ‘a band of noble thoughtful women as a powerful influence for good’. She married an elderly poet, Henry Halloran, who died shortly afterwards leaving her with a young son, Henry. She returned to teaching and from the mid-1890s frequented suffragist circles. A second marriage in 1909 to George D’Arcie Lavender was also short lived. Bella Guerin was vice-president of the Women’s Political Association from 1912–14 and co-authored Vida Goldstein’s 1913 Senate election pamphlet. However, dual membership of the non-party feminist camp and the Labor Party was prohibited by the latter in 1914, so from that date she campaigned for the Victorian Socialist Party and the Women’s Socialist League, speaking out on a range of controversial issues. She led the Labor Women’s Anti-Conscription Fellowship during the 1916 referendum campaign. In 1918, as vice-president of the Labor Party’s Women’s Central Organising Committee, she caused controversy by describing Labor women as ‘performing poodles and packhorses’ who were used for fundraising but under-represented in policy decisions—and she was right. Bella died in Adelaide on 26 July 1923 of cirrhosis of the liver and is remembered for her idealism, her oratory skills and her commitment to equity for women. Duplicate photograph of Julia Margaret (Bella) Guerin the first woman graduate of The University of Melbourne, B.A. 1883, M.A. 1885, The original is held by Melbourne University Archives. bella guerin, bella halloran, julia margaret guerin, university of melbourne, graduation, feminist, university women

Document. the State Elections, the Victorian Alliance Platform, Questions for Candidates at the State Elections. 1. The question of the Hours of Trading of Licensed Liquor Bars to be submitted to the people by a Referendum. 2. The Abolition of the three-fifths per cent, necessary to carry No-Licence at the Local Option Poll. 3. The Counting of the Aggregate Votes for No-Licence for the State. 4. Abolition of Grocers' Liquor Licences. If elected, will you support the foregoing proposals? And return to General Secretary. Victorian Alliance, 136 Swanston Street, Melbourne.organisation, community, abstinence society

Information about the dating of this photograph was provided by the 'Ask A Librarian' service of the State Library of Victoria. The Scripture Referendum was held on the same day as the Victorian Parliamentary Elections, in which J. Bowser ran against A.K. Buckley for a seat in the legislative assembly in the electoral district of Wangaratta and Rutherglen. The Scripture Referendum had three questions: "1. Are you in favour of the Education Act remaining as at present, strictly secular? 2. Are you in favour of such legislation as shall cause the scheme of Scripture lessons recommended by the Royal Commission on Religious Instruction to be taught in State schools during school hours to children whose parents desire the teaching (such lessons would be given subject to a conscience clause exempting teachers who object)? 3. Are you in favour of the prayers and hymns selected by the Royal Commission being used?" [source of text - Victorian Year-Book 1904. page 29]Black and white postcard sized photograph mounted on light cardboard. Photograph is of a group of men standing in front of shop "C.G. Nevill, Job Printer". Posters in the window are showing the results of "The Referendum", which has been identified as the Scripture Referendum held in Victoria on 1st June 1904. Poster in window at the right of the photo advertises a performance of Maggie Moore in Struck Oil, to be performed in the Town Hall on Saturday, 18th February 1904.On bottom of mount: "A.E. Nevill, Rutherglen" Written on back of mount: "Mr M. Pascoe, Rutherglen, Vic."nevill, printer, referendum, scripture in schools, secular education, victorian state elections, wangaratta rutherglen electoral district, maggie moore, struck oil

Henry Beardmore represented the Green Hills Riding on Wodonga Shire Council from 1898 to 1922, including terms as President from 1900-01, 1903-4, 1908-10, 1911-12, 1914-17. He won the seat of Benambra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly at a by-election on 20th April 1917. After a few years serving simultaneously at both local and State government levels, in 1922 Mr Beardmore retired from the Wodonga Council due to his increased workload in State politics. He continuously represented the Benambra electorate as a Nationalist and United Australia Party Member for more than 15 years being returned unopposed on four occasions. Mr Beardmore was a strong advocate for country development and decentralisation. He was an Honorary Minister in 1924 and for a short time in 1929, Minister of Railways, Minister in-charge of Electrical Undertakings and Minister of Labour. He was a leading supporter of Kiewa Hydro-Electric Project and opponent of Yallourn coalfield. He remained as the Member for Benambra until his death in Wodonga on 1st August 1932. At the time this letter was written, William Hughes had been expelled from the ALP over his stance on conscription. He formed the National Labor Party which later merged with the Liberal Party to become the Nationalist Party. Henry Beardmore was a newly-elected Member of the Victorian Parliament and became a member of the Nationalist Party. Two of Henry Beardmore’s sons were on Active Service at the time and were later joined by another of their brothers. The letter aimed to gain support for Hughes at the Federal Election to be held on 5th May 1917 which his new party won with a large majority. However the Second Referendum held on conscription on 20th December 1917 at William Hughes’ instigation was defeated.This letter is significant because it was sent to an important Wodonga politician by the Prime Minister at a critical time in Australia's history.A typed letter sent to Mr Henry Beardmore by W. M. Hughes, Prime Minister 25th April 1917. It is printed on the Commonwealth of Australia letterhead. The letter has been damaged over time and has been repaired. Commonwealth of Australia letterhead Signed W. M. Hughesw. m. hughes, henry beardmore, conscription debate 1917