Summary

Glass negative stereograph showing the NSW Lancers parading down St Kilda Road. 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

New South Wales Lancers, St Kilda Road, Federation Celebrations, Melbourne, May 1901. The Lancers wore a slouch hat with a black cock-tail feathers. Their long lance was topped with a red and white pennon. The day after their arrival, the Duke and Duchess of York travelled from St Kilda, down St Kilda road to the City. Accompanied by over 14,000 State-based troops (soon to be integrated) they were cheered by a double line of between 400,000 - 500,000 citizens. Some children sat up on their father's shoulders and some of the public found a better view up in the trees. A trooper from another regiment wearing a slouch hat, riding boots and a bandoleer, stands at the back of the crowd.

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