Summary

Photographer: George Rose, Melbourne.

Two almost identical sepia stereographic views mounted on thick brown card. The images show the Children's Fete held at the Exhibition Oval on 11 May 1901. The Exhibition Building is just visible in the background.

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 children's fete, 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 Children's Fete held at the Exhibition Oval on 11 May 1901. In the foreground, a group of girls in white dresses with dark sashes and caps are standing in rows. Behind them, a larger group of similarly dresses girls are marching. They are watched by rows of boys in dark suits. In the background, a very large crowd of spectators is accommodated in stands. The oval is decorated with strings of flags. The Exhibition Building is just visible in the background.

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