Historical information

This is a commemorative medal issued to school teachers to commemorate the opening of the first Parliament of Australia, held in Victoria in 1901.

Significance

this item was created to commemorate an historic event, the opening of the Australian federal Parliament, in May 1901.

Physical description

A shield shaped bronze medal. On one side are busts of the Duke and duchess of Cornwall and York. The other side depicts HM Queen Victoria and King Edward V11.
There is a small length of red, white and blue ribbon threaded through the metal loop at the top.

Inscriptions & markings

obverse : "AUST COMMONWEALTH / EST.1 JAN 1901 /63RD OF VICTORIA, R.I. below , FIRST PARLIAMENT OPENED /MAY 1901 / 1ST OF EDWARD V11; below, WA TAS NSW VIC QLD"
reverse: "OPENING OF THE FIRST / FEDERAL PARLIAMENT below , T.R.H. / THE DUKE & DUCHESS OF CORNWALL / AND YORK / MELBOURNE MAY 1901