On 1 January Sydney celebrated Australia becoming a Federation by hosting a grand procession through its streets. The Federation ‘Wool Arch’ was set up close to the wool stores at the intersection of Bridge and Loftus streets in Sydney. Mr. H. E. Ross, a member of the rural electorate of Narrabri, provided the original design. The wool alone was to cost 7000 pounds but costs and fears of the whole structure collapsing under the weight of the wool if it got wet, led to a new design. Walter Vernon was given the task of producing the final arch which consisted of brushed wool threaded through chicken wire and supported on a wooden frame.
No known copyright restrictions
Post by Geoff Barker, Assistant Curator
