Historical information

Invitation from HRH The Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V), acting on behalf of King Edward VII to the Secretary of McIvor Shire Mr. H. D. Thomas and Mrs Thomas to attend the official opening of the first Federal Parliament, where the new Senators and Members of the House of Representatives were sworn in. Royal Exhibition Building. 9 May 1901. AT this time, Mr H. D. Thomas served as the Secretary of the Shire of McIvor, a local government area based in Heathcote, Victoria.

Physical description

Document.
Illuminated request.
His Majesty's Ministers of the State for the Commonwealth of Australia request the honour of the presence of The Secretary of McIvor Shire Mr. H. D. Thomas and Mrs Thomas in the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on Thursday, 9th May , 1901, to witness the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth. Edmund Barton, Prime Minister.
At the bottom of the Picture there is a quote.
"The Young Queen. Authored by Kipling's Commonwealth Ode.
Her hand was still on her sword hilt---the spur was still on her heel---
she had not cast her harness of grey war-dinted steel;
High on her red-- splashed charger , beautiful, bold, and browned,
Bright--eyed out of the battle, the young Queen rode to be crowned,
Loyal she gave the greeting, royal she bowed her head,
Crying 'Crown me, my mother,' and the old Queen stood and said."