Summary

Punch magazine's souvenir and official programme of the American Fleets visit to Victoria from 29 August - 5 September 1908.

Prime Minister Alfred Deakin ignored Britain's concerns and established protocol when he invited the American fleet to visit. Sixteen warships arrived in Sydney harbour, welcomed by 80,000 spectators. Speeches were delivered, parties thrown and parades marched in honour of the occasion. As the fleet moved from port to port the welcome remained wildly enthusiastic. The visit was publicly associated with Australia's self-perception as a strong 'white' nation. The Lone Hand described the occasion: 'As a friendly hand across the Pacific comes to Australia - the Great White Fleet. In a flashing white it comes, as it were a symbol of a racial ideal to be upheld. Australia aspires but to hold her territory free and clean, in trust for the White Race. America's Pacific fleet helps to give us heart to hope that that ideal may be preserved.'

The programme features a number of photographs and portraits of British leaders, Australian government officials, and American leaders, as well photographic images of the sites and locations the Fleet and accompanying journalists visited while in Victoria. On its arrival on Sunday 29 August 1908, a reception for the Admirals was held at Government House, while Press Representatives were welcomed with a dinner at State Parliament House, which at the time was at the (Royal) Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens. On 1st September, tours to Ballarat and Mirboo North were organised for Officers, Sailors and Marines: 300 visited Ballarat and 100 went to Mirboo North. That same afternoon a State School Demonstration took place on the Exhibition Oval; 4,000 children took part. Similar excursions and activities were held throughout the visit, with a Grand Concert and Reception held at the Exhibition Building on Wednesday 2 September.

Physical Description

Quarto, pictorial wrappers, 64 pp, illustrated. Front cover illustration by Will Dyson, further illustrations by Ruby Lindsay and Alek Sass. The first 16 pages of the programme are taken up by advertisements for Victorian businesses.

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