Countdown to Federation By carrpa957 Jan 1, 1886 A Federal Council meets Jan 1, 1889 Henry Parkes talks to Tenterfield locals Jan 1, 1891 A national constitution drafted Jan 1, 1893 The Corowa Conference Period: Jan 1, 1897 to Dec 31, 1898 Federal Constitutional Convention Period: Apr 1, 1899 to Jul 31, 1900 The Referendum Jan 1, 1901 Australia becomes a nation