Historical information

Photographer notations on slide: Naval pageant group.
Not published.

Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer:
The Naval Pageant, held at the Melbourne Show Ground, 31 October - 3 November 1934, was arranged as part of the Navy's contribution to the Victorian Centenary Celebrations. It was produced and acted by officers and men from the Navy Office, Flinders Naval Depot, H.M.A.S. Squadron, R.A.N.R. Depot, Williamstown, and R.A.N.R. Depot, Port Melbourne. Included were songs and marches, episodes from the life of Captain Cook, drill in honour of Nelson, Drake, Neptune's Court, and episodes from 1914. This was essentially family entertainment - advertisements in the souvenir programme are for ice creams, chocolates and engagement rings. A note about the episode in Cook's life in Tahiti reads 'The dresses worn by Tahitian dancing girls at this period were not considered suitable for the pageant, and historical accuracy has been sacrificed for attractiveness in choosing the raffia skirts of Hawaii.'

Physical description

Glass plate negative

Inscriptions & markings

Photographer notations on slide: "Naval pageant group".