The Commonwealth of Australia came into being on January 1st, 1901.
A National Day in many countries is associated with some kind of Independence Day. Australia’s independence was an evolutionary process rather than a single event. It was conceived through negotiation and the ballot box, not blood and war. This legacy of peace and stability has been the hallmark of Australian history (Aaron Paul, ABC).
Australia’s first Prime Minister Edmund Barton;
“We have for the first time in history a nation for a continent and a continent for a nation.”
Why observe Federation Day?
There are three significant days in the Australian national calendar that go uncelebrated; January 1st (Federation Day), May 9th (First Opening of Parliament) and July 9th (Constitution Day). There are so many interesting facts about how the Commonwealth of Australia came about.
acknowledging our nationhood
Henry Parkes, Premier of N.S.W., led the campaign for Federation, yet ironically, his colony was the most reluctant, mainly because it was for free-trade while all the other colonies favoured protectionist policies.
Queensland Governor Samuel Griffith and Tasmanian Attorney General Andrew Inglis Clarke authored the first draft of the Constitution. John Quick is credited with devising a plan for a series of referenda, urging that Federation be ‘advocated by the citizens and not merely by politicians.’ He also annotized [sic] the Constitution.
Why celebrate January 1st? It’s already a holiday!
An objection that is sometimes made to celebrating Federation Day on January 1st is that New Year’s Day is “already a holiday”. However, people celebrate on New Year’s Eve, not the first. I usually throw a BBQ party every year, from 4pm – after the midday heat and when everyone has recovered from the previous day’s boozing! Here is a fun quiz you can use at your BBQ!
First Opening of Federal Parliament
May 9th is immortalized by Tom Roberts’ Big Picture’ (above). Officially titled The Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York, 9 May 1901—it is perhaps one of the most famous paintings on public display in Parliament House. This event took place at the Exhibition Building in Melbourne, seen below:
Constitution Day – July 9th
Constitution Day is celebrated each year to mark the day Her Majesty Queen Victoria signed the Royal Commission of Assent and brought into existence the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act. The National Archives of Australia often hosts a Constitution Open Day on July 9th, which includes special viewings of the original Constitution, talks, tours, and children’s activities.
The flag
Our flag has an interesting history, too. The above image is of the Australian Colonial Flag, which was flown for 100 years and also became known as the Federation Flag. Is there something familiar about it? Yes, it looks like the Eureka Stockade flag, sometimes associated with republicanism. But in fact the stylized Southern Cross in these flags predate the Eureka Stockade. Aussies love our flag and for good reasons, even though they may not know what heraldric rules are, they have good instincts and know a good thing when they see one. The Australian flag is one that follows the rules of good design. Believe me, I was a republican and I’ve questioned the flag in depth and come full circle.
I have written extensively about Federation Day, here, here and here.
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