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Conceiving the idea of a Federal Council
In 1883, Sir Henry Parkes conceived the idea of creating a federal council. -
Federal Council
In the year 1885, the federal council was formed. -
Speech
In 1889, Sir Henry Parkes called for all the colonies to form a federal government in Tenterfield. -
Conference
Deligates from all 6 colonies and New Zealand decided to call a National Convention the following year in Melbourne, 1890. -
First Constitutional Convention
Delegates from all the colonies came to Sydney and organised a constitutional convention, which approved a draft written by Andrew Inglis Clark, but the colonial parliments failed to ratify it. -
Corowa Conference
John Quick proposed that a formal nation should be established with each of the six Australian colonies to be represented by ten elected delegates. -
Second Constitutional Convention
Delegates from all colonies except Queensland went to an Australian Constitutional Conventions in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne. In Melbourne the convention finally produced a draft constitution that was approved. -
First Referendum
Everyone in every colony except WA and QLD voted for or against federation. The vote for against won so federation did not happen. -
Second Referendum
Everyone in every colony except WA voted again and there were more votes for federation but to federate they still needed WA to vote. -
Queen Victoria agrees to constituion
Queen Victoria proclaims that the Commonwealth of Australia will come into existance on the 1st of January in 1901. -
Australia becomes a Nation
In Sydney, 1901 Australia becomes one nation when the six colonies federate. -
Australian Flag
The National Flag was first flown on the 3rd of September 1901 and since then the key elements have remained unchanged. -
Women Voting
In 1902, Australian women receive the right to vote in Federal elections. -
The Basic Wage
In 1907, the Commonwealth basic wage (set by the Harvester Judgement) is 2 pounds, 2 shillings per six-day week. -
National Capital
In 1908, the National Capital site was selected in the Yass-Canberra district. -
Australia's Money and Stamps Introduced.
In 1910, the first Commonwealth silver coins, the first Commonwealth treasury bank notes and the first Commonwealth postage stamps were all issued. -
Federal Capital
In 1913, the Federal Capital was named Canberra. -
Edith Cowan
In 1921, Edith Cowan was the first woman to be elected to an Australian Parliament. -
Voting was Compulsory
In 1924, compulsory voting in Federal elections was introduced. -
100th Anniversary of Federation
In 2001, it was Australia's 100th anniversary of Federating.
