Project 1
The Big Picture. Tom Roberts (1856 – 1931) Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by H.R.H The Duke of Cornwall and York (Later King George V), May 9, 1901, 1903, oil on canvas.
Create Interactive Opening Of Parliament Keys
What?
The painting, the Opening of Parliament was created by Tom Roberts and depicts the first Opening of the Commonwealth Parliament that occurred at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne on 9 May 1901.
The painting is publicly displayed at Parliament House, Canberra.
Roberts created the associated key to accompany the painting and to identify over 250 particular personalities who attended and whom he placed in the painting.
Who actually attended the Opening of Parliament in 1901?
Our Invited Guests, also published in 1901, is an Official Directory of the guests invited to attend the Opening in 1901. Over 10,000 names are listed. Was your ancestor one of them?
Why?
Foundation 1901 will offer a downloadable app free of charge to all Australians.
It will ensure that one of Federation’s most recognisable images is made available to today’s audience and using current technology to make its content accessible whether seeing the picture in person, at school, home or office.
Contact details
PO Box 15, Glenrowan Vic 3675
federation@foundation1901.org.au
Project budget
$ 15,000
Next?
Two further projects will follow as funding provides.
‘The Opening, Commonwealth Parliament’ by Charles Nuttall and Centenary of Federation commemorative sitting of Federal Parliament on 9 May 2001 by Robert Hannaford.
Funding
Consistent with the long-standing Australian folklore of self sufficiency, Foundation 1901 will be funded through majority non-government sources. It was granted charity status in 2014 and non-enduring DGR status in 2019 until 2021. Further DGR arrangements for 2021 onwards have indicative approval.
The establishment of the Foundation, while important, is a starting point in generating a much needed permanent national discussion about our Federation that will, of necessity, include many voices and interests.