Connor Fitzgerald 6B federation

Proposing Federation

Jan 1, 1847

Sir Earl Grey proposes a loose colonial federation

The bulletin

Jan 1, 1880

First issue of THE BULLETIN published

Uniform defence policy

Jan 1, 1889

Major general sir Bevan Edwards suggests a uniform defence policy

Famous Tenterfield speech

Jan 1, 1889

Sir Henry Parkes delivers his famous speech at Tenterfield in favour of federation

Constitution draft

Jan 1, 1891

First draft constitution drawn up

Federal league

Jan 1, 1893

First Federal league formed: Corowa Conference and a start of a popular Federation movement

Constitution draft #2

Jan 1, 1897

Second constitution draft drawn up

First referendum

Jan 1, 1898

First referendum on the federal constitution; passed by Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia and defeated by New South Wales

Second referendum

Jan 1, 1899

Second referendum held, following the amendments to the constitution; passed by New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland

Queen Victoria signs the constitution

Jan 1, 1900

Queen Victoria signs the Australian constitution; referendum passed in Western Australia

Federation day

Jan 1, 1901

Australia became a federation