Item 04: Memoirs of a Colonial Boy by Robert Joseph Stewart, ca. 1971 - Page 21
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 21]
10
Movement. I remember groups of gossiping women in the back streets listening to one of their number reading out a letter she had received from her soldier-man at the war. I also saw a troopship leaving Circular Quay towards the end of the war, the ratlines on its masts crowded with many of the departing volunteers.
The new Sovereign was a gay and charming "bon viveur" who was fully determined to restore the glamour of the English Court. As Prince of Wales, for many years he had travelled extensively on the Continent where he was always popularly acclaimed, and he could take most of the credit for the creation of the alliance, known as the "Entente Cordiale", between Russia, France, and Britain. It is interesting to reflect that at this time, every country in Europe, except France and Switzerland, had a King, or in Holland, a Queen.
Following the news of Queen Victoria's death, almost every woman donned black dresses trimmed with royal purple, and men wore black crepe armbands: the wearing of this mourning lasted for a full year.
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act had been proclaimed in the Imperial Parliament at Westminster on the 30th December 1900: signing it was one of the old Queen's last important acts. Lord Hopetoun was appointed as the first Governor General, and the erstwhile six separate colonies automatically became Soverign States of the new Federation.
Elaborate preparations were set in train to suitably celebrate this very historic event. The first Commonwealth Government was elected, and the leader of the victorious Liberal Party, Sir Edmund Barton, a handsome scholarly lawyer of a very charming personality, became the first Prime Minister. A big banquet to commemorate this political party success was held in the Paddington Town Hall, to which my Father, who had been active in the LIberal cause, and my Mother were invited. The big coloured invitation card was treasured in our home for many years afterwards. I remember being very upset at seeing Mother