Summary

Glass negative stereograph depicting of the St Andrew's Benefit Society Float processing along Collins street on 11 May 1901. It is part of the G. H. Myers Collection which consists of 73 photographs taken by Godfrey Henry Myers, an electrician and amateur photographer, in Melbourne during May 1901. 72 of these photographs depict preparations for the celebrations that surrounded Federation; all but one are glass stereographs. This collection represents Myers' one venture into commercial photography. It is significant for its images of the crowds, which do not feature so prominently in commercial photographs. The remaining photograph is a family portrait.

The opening of the Australian Parliament on May 9 1901 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

St. Andrew's Benefit Society Float, Collins Street, Federation Celebrations, Melbourne 11 May 1901. A mounted policeman wearing a black helmet obscures the view of the crowd. To the right is a largely empty fee-paying viewing stand. The woman dressed in white at the top of the float represents the Commonwealth and the other six women the various States. Four boys dressed in sailor suits wave Union Jacks in time to bagpipes. The unofficial Australian flag being flown overhead is without the large star of the Commonwealth; this was acquired on 3 September 1901. The German Arch is in the background.

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