Episode 1: Federation of Australian Colonies

What was Federation? Why did it spark such huge celebrations in Australia?

In this video, host Jack Evans and Museum curator Suzanne discuss the factors that led to Federation and explore why it was such a significant event for Australians. How did the different Australian colonies operate before Federation and what changes did Federation bring to Australian society?

Reading sources

Take a close look at some primary source objects from the Museum’s collection, including those featured in the video, that help tell the story of Federation.

View Gallery Invitation to 'Commonwealth of Australia / INAUGURAL CELEBRATIONS at Sydney / Commencing on the 1st January 1901'. [

View Gallery

A double sided, hand-painted flag depicting on both sides a kangaroo and an emu either side of a shield, set against a blue background. The shield is broken into four sections showing a sheep, a sailing ship, a sheaf of wheat and a pick and shovel. The stars of the Southern Cross separate the quadrants and a rising sun appears above the shield. A banner below the coat of arms reads 'ADVANCE AUSTRALIA'. There are distinct differences on either side of the flag, particularly in the representations of the kan

View Gallery

A cream earthenware plaque with a faded gilt rim. Decorated on the front with a sepia transfer print of Queen Victoria centred inside a wreath border flanked by a British and an Australian soldier, and 'AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION 1901' inscribed within a ribbon banner amongst waratahs at the bottom. Inscribed below 'MAY THE UNION BETWEEN THE COLONIES / AND THE MOTHER-LAND NOW / CEMENTED BY THEIR BLOOD BE FOR / EVER MAINTAINED Joseph Chamberlain', and above are portraits of Sir Henry Parkes and Lord Hopetoun.

View Gallery A cream earthenware mug featuring a green transfer print of Queen Victoria centred inside a wreath border on the front flanked by a British and an Australian soldier and 'AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION 1901' inscribed within a ribbon banner amongst flowers at the bottom.

A cream earthenware mug featuring a green transfer print of Queen Victoria centred inside a wreath border on the front flanked by a British and an Australian soldier and 'AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION 1901' inscribed within a ribbon banner amongst flowers at the bottom.

View Gallery

An earthenware beaker with a gilt rim. Decorated with a garland of flowers inside the rim, and on the front with a green transfer print of Queen Victoria centred inside a wreath border flanked by a British and an Australian soldier, and 'AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION 1901' inscribed within a ribbon amongst waratahs at the bottom. Printed portraits of Sir Henry Parkes and Lord Hopetoun are featured on the other side of the beaker between smaller decorative portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York.

View Gallery A programme titled 'THE / COMMONWEALTH / OF / AUSTRALIA / INAUGURAL CELEBRATIONS / AT SYDNEY / Under the Direction of / THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES / OFFICIAL PROGRAMME'. The cover features a female figure, rising sun, and State emblems on a gold background.

A programme titled 'THE / COMMONWEALTH / OF / AUSTRALIA / INAUGURAL CELEBRATIONS / AT SYDNEY / Under the Direction of / THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES / OFFICIAL PROGRAMME'. The cover features a female figure, rising sun, and State emblems on a gold background.

View Gallery

Advance Australia Federation brooch. National Museum of Australia.

View Gallery

An invitation on thick cardboard that reads 'THE GOVEREMENT OF VICTORIA requests the honor of the presence of / Mr & Mrs E. W.Whereat / at a Conversazione in the Exhibition Building on the Evening of Tuesday 7th May 1901, at 8 p.m.'. The invitation has an illustration of the Royal Exhibition building in the centre and a border that is highly decorated with scenes of five Australian capital cities as well as shields, and Australian flora and fauna.

View Gallery A glass with an etched portrait of Queen Victoria centred inside a wreath border, with the Duke and Duchess of York at the top, and Sir Henry Parkes and Lord Hopetoun at the bottom.

A glass with an etched portrait of Queen Victoria centred inside a wreath border, with the Duke and Duchess of York at the top, and Sir Henry Parkes and Lord Hopetoun at the bottom.

View Gallery Cartoon framed with two pieces of paper board. The cartoon features a lion in the centre with a cricket bat. There are kangaroos in blue and white jackets around the lion with state names printed on the jackets. Text in the cartoon reads "COMBINE AUSTRALIA: Umpire Punch"YOU"VE DONE JOLLY WELL BY COMBINATION IN THE CRICKET FIELD, AND NOW YOU"RE GOING TO FEDERATE AT HOME. BRAVO BOY!".

Cartoon framed with two pieces of paper board. The cartoon features a lion in the centre with a cricket bat. There are kangaroos in blue and white jackets around the lion with state names printed on the jackets. Text in the cartoon reads "COMBINE AUSTRALIA: Umpire Punch"YOU"VE DONE JOLLY WELL BY COMBINATION IN THE CRICKET FIELD, AND NOW YOU"RE GOING TO FEDERATE AT HOME. BRAVO BOY!".

Activities

Choose one of these primary source objects and take a close look at it.
- Who do you think the object was made for? Make an argument to support your idea.
- What symbolic features can you identify on the object?
- What ideas or messages do you think the creator of this object wanted to communicate?
- Do you think this communication was effective? Why or why not?
Research a key person or group involved in the Federation movement. How did they contribute to the development of Australian society in this period? Can you find a primary source object or some information on the Digital Classroom website (or the Museum website) that helps to tell their story?
Which voices and perspectives are difficult to find, or absent in the sources of this time? Why would that be the case?