Historical information

Medal issued to commemorate the opening of the First Federal Parliament of Australia on 9 May 1901. The silver medal was minted by Stokes & Sons and presented to MLA Thomas Bent. Knighted in 1907, Bent served as Premier and Treasurer of Victoria from 1904-1909.

Physical description

At top of red ribbon Australian Arms over blue enamelled ribbon AUSTRALIA, below busts of Victoria and Edward VII in ovals; above, AUST. COMMONWEALTH / EST.1.JA.1901 / 63D. OF VICTORIA, R.I; below, FIRST PARLIAMENT OPENED / MAY 1901 / 1ST OF EDWARD VII / W.A. TAS. N.S.W. VIC. S.A. Q'LD.
Reverse: Busts of the Duke and Duchess in ovals; above, OPENING OF THE FIRST / FEDERAL PARLIAMENT; below, T.R.H. / THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CORNWALL / AND YORK / MELBOURNE, MAY 1901

Inscriptions & markings

Front: Inverse: Opening of the first/Federal Parliament/T.R.H./The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall/-and York-/Melbourne,
May 1901.
Back: Obverse: Aust. Commonwealth/Est. 1 Jan. 1901/63 D. of Victoria. R.I./First Parliament opened/May 1901/1st of Edward
VII/ W.A. TAS. N.S.W. VIC. SA. QLD