Timeline: Aidan Kelly Federation

Aug 14, 1885

The Federal Council

Federal Council is established but NSW refuses to join

Oct 24, 1889

Sir Henry Parkes'speech

Sir Henry Parkes made famous speech called Tenterfield speech which was about the movement to federation

Mar 7, 1890

The AFC

Australian Federation Conference decides joining the colonies is a good idea

Mar 31, 1891

First Federal Constitutional Convention

The first federal Constitutional Convention was held in Sydney and the first draft constitution was drawn up

Mar 7, 1893

First Federal League

The first federation league formed; Corowa Conference and the start of a popular federation movement

Mar 7, 1895

Agreeing to the Corowa Conference

The premiers meet in Hobart and agree that the Corowa Conference approach to federation

Mar 7, 1897

The Constitution

The final draft constitution was sent to the state parliaments eventually the people living in the colonies could vote. Lots of referendums were held from the variety of votes saying yes and no

Jan 29, 1899

Secret Premiers Conference

Secret Premiers Conference to amend the constitution to satisfy New South Wales and Queensland. Referendum vote- all states except Western Australia say yes

Jul 5, 1900

WA says yes

Western Australia finally votes yes after the Conference

Jan 1, 1901

Colonies become a commonwealth

The colonies became a commonwealth of Australia and a new nation was born

Sep 3, 1901

Australian Flag is made

After a competition to design a flag 5 designs (by Ivor Evans, Leslie John Hawkins, Egbert John Nuttall, Annie Dorrington and William Stevens) were combined to make the Australian Flag and was first flown on September 3 but didn't become a proper flag until 1954