Throughout Australia, New Year's Day 1901 was celebrated as Commonwealth Day.
Hope and unbounded enthusiasm for a new era were the feelings of the entire population, which had survived the long years of bitter controversy on Federation Sydney was the pivot of most festivities, with a State Banquet, theatre, shows and grand balls to which a glittering brilliant assembly of important guests were invited... Ladies in carnival dress, in diaphanous fabrics embroidered in gold with Federation blue a favourite, drifted along brightly lit streets. A special feature were the wonderful arches erected to celebrate the momentous occasion.
As the sun rose on New Year's Day 1901, the excitement came to a crescendo. Newspapers printed laudatory accounts of the struggle to achieve a Federated land. Some printed their edition in Federation Blue. A euphoric belief in a new century of confidence and hope for the future flooded the country.
The major spectacle of the day was to be the proclamation of the Commonwealth by Lord Hopetoun, The Governor General, held in Centennial Park. A spectacular procession preceded Lord and Lady Hopetoun. Sydney was "A City of Arches" . A series of lovely commemorative arches spanned the route. "Ceres welcomes the Commonwealth." A yellow arc representing the wheat growing industry covered Bridge Street. Not to be outdone, an arch covered in white wool and bearing in gold the words "Land of the Golden Fleece" was next. An American arch in red with a huge eagle spread over it, a French one in gold and perhaps the most beautiful, a simple span with six white pillars representing the South Seas stood in Oxford Street. These were only some of the spectacles to thrill the people on the day.
The parade included military men from the Commonwealth, Indian and South African contingents, men from British regiments and many Victorian and Tasmanian soldiers recently returned from the Boer War.
Every facet of Australian life was included; workers, shearers, fire fighters, police, children and pressmen, all marched to the deafening cheers of the thousands who had gathered to enjoy the spectacle.
At Centennial Park, a 19-gun salute heralded the arrival of the Official party, Lord Hopetoun in his ceremonial carriage. He performed the official duty of Proclamation of the Commonwealth and as the flag was unfurled a 21-gun salute was fired.
”Australia is declared a Commonwealth".
Source: 2001 03 DTHS Newsletter
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