Royal Exhibition Building marks 125 years of Commonwealth Parliament opening
To commemorate the 125th anniversary of the opening of Australia’s first Federal Parliament, Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building hosted a free public open day on May 9 and 10.
The two-day public event was open daily from 12 pm to 5 pm. Activities included guided tours, children’s activities, cultural performances, exhibitions, lectures, food trucks, and a Victorian Youth Parliament debate. The Melbourne Museum stated that the event aimed to provide the public with a memorable weekend connecting the building’s Federation history with contemporary community life.
On May 9, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a formal anniversary address at the Royal Exhibition Building. He stated that on May 9, 1901, 12,000 people gathered in the building for the opening ceremony of the newly formed Federal Parliament. He called this a first for Australia, and indeed for the world, as it was the first nation founded through a free and peaceful vote.
A message from King Charles III stated that the opening of the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia in 1901 was a significant milestone in the nation’s development. The message noted that holding the anniversary celebrations in the same building provided an important opportunity to reflect on Australia’s democratic traditions and responsibilities.
The event also featured Charles Nuttall’s 1901–1902 oil painting, The Opening, Commonwealth Parliament, depicting the opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament within the Royal Exhibition Building. According to Museums Victoria Collections, Nuttall was commissioned to depict as many recognisable faces as possible to commemorate this pivotal moment in Australian democratic history, ultimately capturing 344 identifiable figures. It was the first time the museum had displayed the painting since 2001. Additionally, several significant objects from the State Collection were also on display.
The free open day was not only a reflection on federal history, but also a celebration of the multicultural life of contemporary Australians.
One hundred and twenty-five years later, the Royal Exhibition Building remains one of Melbourne’s most important urban landmarks and the first building in Australia to be listed as a World Heritage Site. Albanese said that choosing the Royal Exhibition Building as the venue for the opening ceremony of Parliament was democratically significant. The choice in 1901 signified that Parliament, and this important moment, always belonged to the people. He said that Australia’s democratic system was strongest when the people were involved, not excluded.
Sources:
www.dcceew.gov.au
www.pm.gov.au
museumsvictoria.com.au
museumsvictoria.com.au
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
www.gg.gov.au/about-governor-general
