Item HT 43853 Invitation - Municipal & Civil Luncheon, Commonwealth of Australia Inaugural Celebrations, Town Hall, Sydney, 7 Jan 1901

Summary

Invitation to Mr William John Ferris from the Government of New South Wales. It is an invitation a Municipal and Civil Luncheon in the Sydney Town Hall on 7 January 1901. The event formed part of the Australian Commonwealth Celebrations and was a commemoration of the Ceremonial Swearing in of The Earl of Hopetoun, as the first Governor General of The Commonwealth of Australia.

Part of a collection of photographs and documents relating to William John Ferris (1855-1917). Ferris was born in Parramatta, he married in 1885 and had one daughter and three sons. From 1883 he was an Alderman of Parramatta Council, being elected Mayor in 1890 and 1896. In July 1898 he was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly as the member for Parramatta, he lost his seat in June 1901.

Physical Description

Decorated formal paper invitation with cardboard backing.

Significance

This is part of a complete set of invitations to Federation Celebrations held in Sydney and Melbourne, January and May 1901. The invitations are addressed to Mr William John Ferris, MLA. The suite of invitations provides a rare overview of Federation events: from inauguration of the Commonwealth on 1 January 1901, including an invitation to the swearing-in of Australia's first governor-general, Lord Hopetoun, and to the opening of the first parliament on 9 May 1901.