-
-
The Premier of NSW, Sir Henry Parkes urged the colonies to federate.
-
The Australasian Federation Conference recommended a national convention be held to draft a constitution for the Commonwealth of Australia.
-
The first National Australasian Convention was held in Sydney and drafted a constitution.
-
Between 1891 and 1894 an economic depression means the colonial parliaments lose interest in federation.
-
A peoples conference in Corowa, NSW, urged the colonial parliaments to hold a new convention to decide on a draft constitution.
-
A special premiers conference agrees to hold a new c=federation conference.
-
A second peoples conference in Bathurst, NSW renews calls for another federation conference.
-
1897-1898 The Second National Australasian Convention was held in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne and agrees to the constitution.
-
Referendums are held in NSW, Victoria, South Australian and Tasmania to approve the constitution. It is endorsed by all but NSW.
-
In January the premiers hold a secret meeting to agree to several changes to the constitution.
-
Between April and July referendums are held in South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania at which a majority voted yes to the bill. In September QLD voters endorsed the constitution.
-
In March a delegation travels to London to present the constitution to the British Parliament.
-
The British Parliament passes the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act
-
Queen Victoria signs the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act
-
Western Australia held a referendum at which an overwhelming majority of voters approved the constitution.
-
The Commonwealth of Australia is promoted on Centennial Park, Sydney.
-
On 29 & 30 March the first Commonwealth elections were held.
-
In 1901 Australia became a collective country and large parties were thrown. Handkerchiefs were specially created with the shape of Australia embroidered on them.
-
The Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V) opens the first parliament of the commonwealth and Australia in the Exhibition Building in Melbourne.