The Royal Exhibition Building
On 9 May 1901 the Royal Exhibition Building hosted the opening
of the first Federal Parliament. The Duke of Cornwall and York
declared the parliament open with great fanfare, in front of
12,000 dignitaries and guests.
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Maypole dancers
in the State Schools Fete held at the Exhibition Building
on 11 May 1901.
Museum Victoria Collection
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Crowds thronged to concerts and receptions at the Royal Exhibition
Building to celebrate Federation. The Exhibition Oval was the
site of a demonstration of dancing and military drills by 10,000
school children.
Later in the year a design competition was held to choose the
new Australian flag. The 30,000 entries were displayed in the
building and the winning flag was flown for the first time on
the dome on 3 September 1901.
Learn more about the Royal Exhibition Building's rich history
in this information
sheet.
The interior of the Royal Exhibition
Building was repainted for the Federation celebrations.
The elaborate decorations were restored in 1994.
The Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens outlined
in lights in May 1901.
Photograph: G.H.Myers
Museum Victoria Collection
