Summary

Photographer: George Rose, Melbourne.

Two almost identical sepia stereographic views mounted on thick brown card. The images depict the Queen's Arch on Collins Street and a Chinese procession passing underneath.

The opening of the Australian Parliament was an occasion for great celebrations in Melbourne. Ten days of festivities (from 6-16 May) were planned to mark the Federation of the new nation and honour the Royal visitors, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. The city was transformed with decorations - flags, bunting, colourful lights and festive arches - and a series of public events were held, including a military tattoo and several street parades. Unprecedented numbers of people arrived in Melbourne from the rest of Victoria and throughout Australia to take part in the celebrations.

Description of Content

The Queen's Arch on Collins Street and a Chinese procession passing underneath. The Arch is highly decorative. It is topped with a Royal Crown underneath which stands a statue of Queen Victoria. There are spires on either side. A traditional Chinese dragon is passing underneath the Arch with attendants walking on either side dressed in traditional costume. A large crowd is gathered on either side of Collins St to watch the procession.

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