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Collection Summary

Creator:
Title: Address by the Duke of York at the opening of Parliament House, Canberra, May 9, 1927 [manuscript]
Date Range: 1927
Collection number: MS 1604
Extent: 1 item (1 fol. p.).

 

Introduction

Scope and Content

Address by the Duke of York at the opening of Parliament House in Canberra, 9 May 1927. The address was given to the members of both Houses, who were assembled in the Senate chamber (Journals of the Senate, 9/5/1927, p.234). In his address, the Duke explains his special commission from King George V to attend the day's ceremony. The Duke sends greetings from the King, who fondly remembers his previous visit to Australia in 1901 and hopes that Australia will have prosperity and advancement in future years.

Background

The opening of the provisional Parliament House was a gala occasion. Invitations were issued to 500 national and international official guests and a further 5000 tickets were distributed throughout Australia for seats in outside stands. The ceremony included the review of a guard of honour by the Duke of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and a reading in the Senate chamber of an address from King George V. After the official proceedings, a review of 2000 troops and a Royal Australian Air Force flypast were held in York Park- National Archives of Australia.

 

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as [manuscript item title], Address by the Duke of York at the opening of Parliament House, Canberra, May 9, 1927 [manuscript], National Library of Australia, MS 1604, [manuscript item number].

 

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