Summary

Australia
75th Anniversary of Australian Federation 1976 (AD)
Mint: Heaton & Sons
Other Details: This is one of many medals made to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Federation. This example features Australia's first Governor-General, Lord Hopetoun. 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 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 then formally appointed the Ministers selected by Barton in order that the first Cabinet would represent all the States. After seeing in the newly federated Australia, Hopetoun only remained in Australia for only two years as he found the salary inadequate.

Obverse Description

Bust facing; around, + THE EARL OF HOPETOUN + in small letters in field 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; House of Seton, Scotland, web site http://www.setonfamily.com/barony_of_west_niddry.htm. -D. Tout-Smith 10/10/2003.

More Information