Melbourne's Celebrations May 1901
In May 1901, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, (later King George V and Queen Mary) came to Melbourne to open the first Federal Parliament. The royal visit confirmed Australia's links with Britain, and transformed a potentially dull political event into a grand ceremonial and festive occasion.
The streets of Melbourne were decorated with arches, banners
and flags. Thousands of visitors thronged into the city, to
admire the decorations and the illuminations by night. The Age
reported general rejoicing, 'even in the humble homes of the
poor' which displayed 'tiny twopenny flags … a candle-lit
kerosene tin punched with holes to form a crown or an outline
map of Australia … or a newspaper print of their Royal
Highnesses before a candle'.
Online Slideshows
See a selection of Federation images and items from Museum Victoria's
Collection which illustrate the image of the new nation and the celebrations in 1901.
