Did the members for WA and Tasmania attend the 1901 ceremonies for Federation?
Thanks for your question about Federation.
A number of ceremonies to mark Federation happened all around Australia in 1901. The largest was in Centennial Park in Sydney on 1 January.
100 000 people witnessed the Centennial Park ceremony. During this ceremony Australia’s first Governor-General, Lord Hopetoun, read out Queen Victoria’s official proclamation of Australia's nationhood. Lord Hopeton also used this occasion to swear in the ministers of Australia's first government, which included one Tasmanian and one West Australian.
The Right Honourable Sir John Forrest from Western Australia was sworn in as Australia's first Postmaster-General and the Honourable Neil Elliot Lewis from Tasmania was named an honorary minister without a portfolio.
The Duke of Cornwall and York opens the first federal Parliament, 9 May 1901.
State Library of Victoria
The Duke of Cornwall and York opens the first federal Parliament, 9 May 1901.
State Library of Victoria
Description
This colour engraving shows the official opening of the of the first federal Parliament. The Duke of Cornwall and York, dressed in full military uniform, reads from a book. He and other dignitaries stand on a platform looking down on a great crowd. Judges, military personel, accademics, women and lawyers can be seen in the crowd. Flags are drapped from the mezzanine level of the Exhibition Building.