Historical information

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.

Significance

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.

Physical description

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]

Inscriptions & markings

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"