Summary

Australia
75th Anniversary of Australian Federation 1976 (AD)
Mint: Heaton & Sons
Other Details: This is one of a set of seven silver commemorative medals made in Birmingham, England for sale to Australian collectors on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Federation. This example features Australia's first Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton. On 29 October 1900 Queen Victoria issued instructions to the new Governor-General, Lord Hopetoun, to set in motion the government of a federated Australia. Hopetoun arrived in Sydney in December 1900 and immediately appointed New South Wales Premier Sir William Lyne, an unpopular anti-Federationist, as Prime Minister. It was a disasterous move, which became known as 'the Hopetoun blunder', and he hastily reneged and appointed Edmund Barton. Hopetoun appointed Edmund Barton as first Prime Minister, and formally appointed the Ministers selected by Barton in order that the first Cabinet would represent all the States.

Obverse Description

Bust facing wearing bow tie; around, * SIR EDMUND BARTON * in small letters in firld LL

Reverse Description

Australia Arms above 1901 - 1976 / H; around 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIA

Edge Description

(Hallmarked)

Significance

Queen Victoria established the office of Governor-General on 29 October 1900 and on the same day issued instructions to Lord Hopetoun to set in motion the government of a federated Australia. Hopetoun appointed Edmund Barton as first Prime Minister, and formally appointed the Ministers selected by Barton in order that the first Cabinet would represent all the States. Commonwealth Government Founding Documents web site http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/places/cth/cth1.htm. -D. Tout-Smith 10/10/2003.

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