Historical information

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.

Physical description

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.

Inscriptions & markings

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'.