Summary

Photographer: George Rose, Melbourne.

Two almost identical sepia stereographic views mounted on thick brown card. The images show the Chinese Arch erected on Main Street, Ballarat, for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York on 13 May 1901.While in Ballarat, the Royal party also visited the South Star Gold Mine.

The opening of the Australian Parliament was an occasion for great celebrations in Victoria. 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 of Melbourne was transformed with decorations - flags, bunting, colourful lights and festive arches - and a series of public events were held, including a military tattoo, several street parades and a visit to Ballarat where similar decorations were put up to mark the occasion.

Description of Content

The Chinese Arch erected on Main Street, Ballarat, for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York on 13 May 1901. The Arch is a single span, highly decorated with traditional banners, lanterns and ribbons. A traditional Chinese dragon is spread along the top of the Arch. A large group of men, women and children are gathered underneath the Arch. Union Jacks and bunting can be seen decorating the street beyond the Arch.

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