This ticket is a reminder of the extensive range of activities and entertainments that followed the official declaration of the Commonwealth of Australia in Sydney on 1 January 1901. After decades of argument over the terms of Federation compromise was finally reached in 1899. On 9 July 1900 Queen Victoria signed the Australian Commonwealth (Constitution) Act and the same pen, inkstand and table were used at the ceremony in Sydney on 1 January 1901.

The official signing of the documents in Centennial Park followed a parade through the city streets from the Domain, along Macquarie Street and out through Pitt Street to Oxford Street. Firefighters, police, stockmen, trade unionists, representatives of foreign governments, British Empire troops and Australia's first governor general, Lord Hopetoun, marched through the lavishly decorated streets watched by a crowd of 250,000. Ten plaster arches spanned the roadway representing aspects of Australian life. The Inauguration was followed by a state banquet in the Sydney Town Hall and nine days of celebrations including a military review, a reenactment of Captain Cook's landing at Botany Bay, sporting and musical carnivals, fireworks and illuminations.

This ticket was made by the Government of N.S.W in 1901

The Commonwealth of Australia was inaugurated on 1 January 1901 in a ceremony in Sydney's Centennial Park. The official signing of the documents followed a parade through the city streets from the Domain, along Macquarie Street and out through Pitt Street to Oxford Street. Firefighters, police, stockmen, trade unionists, representatives of foreign governments, British Empire troops and Australia's first governor general, Lord Hopetoun, marched through the lavishly decorated streets watched by a crowd of 250,000. Ten plaster arches spanned the roadway representing aspects of Asutralian life. A special pavilion, designed by NSW Government Architect Walter Vernon was erected in Centennial Park for the Declaration of the Commonwealth and the swearing in of Lord Hopetoun, the first Prime Minister Edmund Barton and his ministry. The same pen, inkstand and table were used as had been used by Queen Victoria when she signed the Australian Commonwealth (Constitution) Act on 9 July 1900. The Ceremony ended with a massed choir singing God save the Queen and the Hallelujah chorus followed by 10,000 school children singing Advance Australia fair and Rule Britannia.

Ticket, Grand Concert / Sydney Amateur Orchestral Society, paper, made for the Government of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 4/1/1901

A ticket for a concert by the 'Sydney Amateur Orchestral Society' which was staged as part of the Commonwealth Celebrations in 1901. The ticket consists of a rectangular piece of pale blue card with dark blue printing and a gilt edge.

Made: 1900


Used: Sydney Town Hall; 1901

Text printed across the ticket reads in part 'Under the Direction of the Government of N.S.W, / Commonwealth Celebrations. / Grand Concert / BY THE / Sydney Amateur Orchestral Society / TOWN HALL, / FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1901 / Conductor / Mr SYDNEY MOSS. / Hon. Sec. Mr. JOHN LAURE'.

P3155-21

1900

91 mm

120 mm