Inauguration of the Commonwealth

Last updated

Inauguration of the Commonwealth
Official Programme - The Commonwealth of Australia Inaugural Celebrtations at Sydney, Government of New South Wales, 1901.jpg
Official programme for the celebrations for the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Directed by Joseph Perry
Based onDocumentary
Cinematography Joseph Perry
Edited byJoseph Perry
Production
company
Release date
  • 19 January 1901 (1901-01-19)
Running time
35 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageSilent

Inauguration of the Commonwealth (also titled Inauguration of the Australian Commonwealth) was a 1901 Australian documentary film commissioned by the Governments of New South Wales and Victoria to record the inaugural day of the Federation of Australia. [1] [2]

Contents

Directed by cinematographer Joseph Perry, the film was the first to use simultaneous multiple camera coverage and to run for 35 minutes. [3]

The film was produced by the Limelight Department of the Salvation Army in Australia. [4] It was the first feature-length documentary film to be produced in Australia. [5]

Although the film quality has degraded over time, much of the footage still survives today. [1]

It is currently being held at the National Film and Sound Archive. [6]

Synopsis

The film begins by following a procession through the streets of Sydney, marking the federation of Australia on the 1st of January, 1901. This procession is seen to be led by 200 mounted police, followed by railway bandsmen, shearers and bush workers, decorated floats, large numbers of Australian and Imperial troops, as well as carriages carrying the first Governor-General John Hope, first Prime Minister Edmund Barton, state premiers and other dignitaries. [6] [7]  An estimated 10,000 people participated in this procession. [6]

Citizen's Commonwealth Arch, Park Street Citizen's Commonwealth Arch.png
Citizen's Commonwealth Arch, Park Street

The parade is seen to pass under ten elaborate arches which illustrated different aspects of Australian life. The procession placed emphasis on Australia's economic recovery from recession during the 1890s, with several of these arches exhibiting depictions of Australian industries such as the wool industry. [7] [3]

The parade followed a processional route from the public grounds of the Domain, through the central business district and city centre before heading south east towards Centennial Park where a purpose built pavilion was erected for the federation ceremony. [8] Between 250,000 and 500,000 spectators attended the route of the procession. [6] As well as lining the road, people are seen to hang out of windows and climb onto rooftops and awnings in order to get a glimpse of the Procession. Buildings, telegraph poles and streets were festooned with flags, banners, bunting and triumphal arches. These are presented in the film. [9]

Swearing-in Pavilion, Centennial Park Swearing-in Pavilion, Centennial Park.png
Swearing-in Pavilion, Centennial Park

Within the pavilion at Centennial Park, the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, William Smith is seen to greet the Governor General John Hope, the Prime Minister Edmund Barton and other dignitaries. [6] Following this, the Governor General directs the swearing in of Australia's first federal cabinet and the reading of the Proclamation of the Constitution. The Governor General and government ministers are depicted signing an oath of allegiance at a table in the centre of the purpose-built pavilion. [7]

The film concludes with footage showing scenes within Centennial Park the day after the events previously mentioned. Within these scenes, the Governor General and leading military figures are seen presiding over large masses of Australian and Imperial troops. [9]

Production

Conception

Inauguration of the Commonwealth was produced by the Limelight Department of the Salvation Army. The Limelight Department of the Salvation Army was formed in 1891. This corresponded with the founder of the Salvation Army, William Booth, touring Australia for the first time.  [8] The Limelight Department was established to create a means by which the Salvation Army could proliferate its message across Australia to a wide audience. [10]

Joseph Perry Joseph Henry Perry 1863-1943.jpg
Joseph Perry

The director of Inauguration of the Commonwealth, Joseph Perry, was appointed equipment operator of the Limelight Department soon after its establishment. In this role, he at first directed picture-slide presentations which illustrated the Salvation Army's purpose, and garnered the public to donate to the cause. [11]

Perry directed his first film in 1897, following the Limelight Department obtaining a Lumiere cinematograph camera and projector. Perry directed several films in the four years prior to Inauguration of the Commonwealth, the majority of them illustrating Biblical events. [12]

The Limelight Department of the Salvation Army soon became Australia's largest film producer. [8] Perry and his film crew, known as the First Biorama Company, toured around Australia for months on end presenting films to the public about the Salvation Army in order to build a national identity for the Salvation Army in Australia. [8]

The production of Inauguration of the Commonwealth was commissioned by the New South Wales Premier, Sir William Lyne, in late 1900 as a means of presenting the planned parade for the Federation of Australia to rest of the British Empire. [13]

As The Sydney Morning Herald on the 12th of November 1900 reported:

“The Premier is of the opinion that the occasion will lend itself to the production of a number of splendid views, and is hopeful that full advantage will be taken of it to secure films that will be viewed with considerable interest by people throughout the British Empire.” [13]

Preproduction

Prior to the event, several custom-built camera platforms were set up along the route of the procession and in Centennial Park where the federation ceremony was to take place. Each platform was made of timber and offered unobstructed views of both the parade and the ceremony for the cameras mounted on-top. Joseph Perry moved between these platforms on a horse-drawn fire engine, directing three camera crews simultaneously. This was the first instance of simultaneous multiple camera coverage within a film. [12]

A Lumiere Cinematographe Camera Institut Lumiere - CINEMATOGRAPHE Camera.jpg
A Lumière Cinematographe Camera

The film was shot using original Lumiere cinematograph cameras, with nearly all the available cameras available in Sydney being in use in production of the film. These cameras were manually operated via a hand crank and utilised a degradable 35mm film. [12] Additionally, these cameras had no pan or tilt capacity and therefore were limited to filming stationary, wide-angled shots. [6]

Editing

Inauguration of the Commonwealth was edited and printed at the Limelight Department's headquarters in Melbourne. The speed at which the film was edited and printed was unprecedented, with the film's premiere occurring two weeks after its contents being filmed. [1]

Release

Inauguration of the Commonwealth premiered in Sydney at Her Majesty's Theatre on the 19th of January, 1901. [14]

It was the most widely distributed Australian film of its time. It was shown in cinemas across Australia, as well as in Britain and Canada. [8] The success of the film lead the Victorian and New Zealand Governments to commission the Limelight Department to film an upcoming royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of York to Australia and New Zealand to open the first Commonwealth Parliament of Australia. The subsequent film, Royal Visit To Open The First Commonwealth Parliament, was released in May 1901. [14]

Reception

The demand to watch the film was immense, with the Salvation Army establishing ‘The Australian Kinematographic Company’ to manage this demand and separate the unexpected profitability of Inauguration of the Commonwealth from the Salvation Army's charitable mission. Surges in print sales from Australia's major cities led independent film touring companies to distribute the film worldwide. [5]

The proceeds from the film were utilised to support the Salvation Army's mission, as well as to replace the Limelight Department's failing camera equipment. [8]

Legacy

Inauguration of the Commonwealth was the first film to utilise simultaneous multiple camera coverage and to have a run-time of over 30 minutes. With a run time of 35 minutes, it was more than five times longer than any previous Australian film. [11]

Inauguration of the Commonwealth was the first film to contain moving images of a nation being created. [13]

It was the first feature-length documentary film to be produced in Australia. Additionally, it was the most widely distributed Australian film of its time. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edmund Barton</span> 1st prime minister of Australia from 1901 to 1903

Sir Edmund "Toby" Barton was an Australian statesman, barrister and jurist who served as the first prime minister of Australia from 1901 to 1903, holding office as the leader of the Protectionist Party. He resigned to become a founding member of the High Court of Australia, on which he served until his death.

The year 1901 in film involved some significant events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moore Park, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Moore Park is a suburb in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the CBD, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is part of local government area of the City of Sydney.

The Limelight Department was one of the world's first film studios, beginning in 1898, operated by The Salvation Army in Melbourne, Australia. The Limelight Department produced evangelistic material for use by the Salvation Army, including lantern slides as early as 1891, as well as private and government contracts. In its 19 years of operation, the Limelight Department produced about 300 films of various lengths, making it one of largest film producers of its time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cabarita, New South Wales</span> Suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cabarita is a bayside suburb in the Inner West of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Cabarita is located 16 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Canada Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herbert Booth</span>

Herbert Henry Howard Booth was a Salvation Army officer, the third son of five children to William and Catherine Booth (Mumford), who later went on to serve as an independent evangelist. He oversaw the Limelight Department's development and he was the writer and director for Soldiers of the Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Australia</span> National flag

The flag of Australia, also known as the Australian Blue Ensign, is based on the British Blue Ensign—a blue field with the Union Jack in the upper hoist quarter—augmented with a large white seven-pointed star and a representation of the Southern Cross constellation, made up of five white stars. Australia also has a number of other official flags representing its people and core functions of government.

The following lists events that happened during 1908 in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Centennial Parklands</span>

Centennial Parklands is the name given to a group of three urban parklands located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Comprising approximately 360 hectares, the lands encompass Centennial Park, Moore Park and Queens Park. The Parklands are listed on the New South Wales Heritage Register, with various components of national, state or local heritage significance. The parks are contained within the local government areas of City of Randwick, Waverley Municipal Council, and City of Sydney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Salvation Army in Australia</span> Evangelical protestant Christian church

The Salvation Army, Australia Territory is an evangelical Protestant Christian church known for its charity work. It began operating in Australia in the late 19th century. There are currently 335 thrift stores and donation bins across Australia.

<i>Soldiers of the Cross</i> (film) 1900 Australian film

Soldiers of the Cross was a multimedia production directed by Joseph Perry, made in Australia by the Limelight Department of the Salvation Army. It premiered in 1900 and toured nationally and internationally until 1920.

The Scottish Covenanters is a 1909 production made by the Limelight Department of the Salvation Army in Australia.

Heroes of the Cross is a 1909 production by the Limelight Department of The Salvation Army in Australia.

Bushranging in North Queensland is a 1904 short film by the Limelight Department of the Salvation Army in Australia. It was Australia's first bushranging drama shot on film. It was shot near Winton, Queensland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Perry (cinematographer)</span>

Joseph Henry Perry was an English-born New Zealander and Australian cinematographer, entrepreneur and Salvation Army officer. Born to Joseph Perry Sr. and Eliza Hall, his sons Orizaba, Reginald and Stanley also went on to have careers in the Australian film industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federation Pavilion</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

The Federation Pavilion was a temporary structure erected in Centennial Park, Sydney, for use in the celebrations marking the Federation of Australia on 1 January 1901. It was used to swear in the members of the first Federal Executive Council, including Australia's first governor-general and prime minister. The pavilion was originally covered in ornate plasterwork, but the exterior was not preserved and soon fell into disrepair. In 1903, the wooden framework was purchased by the Municipality of Concord and moved to Cabarita Park in the suburb of the Cabarita. The property is now owned by the City of Canada Bay, and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 22 December 2000. The pavilion has appeared in the clear panel of the Australian five-dollar note since 2016, when the new Next Generation Banknote series went into circulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Centennial Park (Sydney)</span> Historic site in New South Wales, Australia

Centennial Park is an urban park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The park is in the City of Randwick local government area and part of the Centennial Parklands area.

Royal Visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to New Zealand was a 1901 New Zealand documentary film made by the Limelight Department of the Salvation Army in Australia.

Royal Visit To Open The First Commonwealth Parliament was a 1901 Australian documentary film made by the Limelight Department of the Salvation Army in Australia.

Maori Scenes were 1898 New Zealand documentary films made by Joseph Perry of the Limelight Department of the Salvation Army in Australia. Two or three films were shot about 2 December 1898, just after New Zealand's first film.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Australia's First Film Studio" at Salvation Army
  2. ↑ "An encore for the Limelight movie studio". www.abc.net.au. 2 August 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  3. 1 2 Freestone, Robert; Veale, Sharon (November 2004). "Sydney, 1901: Federation, National Identity and the Arches of Commemoration". National Identities. 6 (3): 215–231. doi:10.1080/1460894042000312321. ISSN   1460-8944. S2CID   144543253.
  4. ↑ Film information at National Film and Sound Archive
  5. 1 2 Wright, Katherine (February 2010). "Review: Creative Nation: Australian Cinema and Cultural Studies Reader". Media International Australia. 134 (1): 165–166. doi:10.1177/1329878x1013400128. ISSN   1329-878X. S2CID   149653178.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Taggart-Speers, Elizabeth (2009). "Federation celebrations - inauguration of a new nation". NSW Department of Education. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 "Federation celebrations - inauguration of a new nation". fusecontent.education.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kyte, S. (2002), A REPORT ON LIMELIGHT: THE DAWN OF AUSTRALIAN FILM. Metro : Media & Education Magazine,, 246-252,4. ProQuest   236466150
  9. 1 2 Taggart-Speers, Elizabeth (2006). "Video Overview Inauguration of the Commonwealth (1901)". ASO Australia.
  10. ↑ White, Gavin (February 1978). "Meditations on Liturgy. By Thomas Merton. London and Oxford, A. R. Mowbray and Co., Ltd., 1976. Pp. 171. £2·25 (paper). - On Peace. By Thomas Merton. London and Oxford, A. R. Mowbray and Co., Ltd., 1976. Pp. 156. £2·25 (paper)". Scottish Journal of Theology. 31 (1): 98–99. doi:10.1017/s0036930600013235. ISSN   0036-9306. S2CID   232754637.
  11. 1 2 THQ, The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory. "Celebrating 120 years since Federation in Australia | Others Magazine". others.org.au. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 Frappell, Samantha (April 2020). "Film and history". Teaching History. 54 (1): 42–45 – via The History Teachers’ Association of NSW.
  13. 1 2 3 Smyth, Rosaleen (June 1998). "From the Empire's 'second greatest white city' to multicultural metropolis: the marketing of Sydney on film in the 20th century". Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television. 18 (2): 237–262. doi:10.1080/01439689800260161. ISSN   0143-9685.
  14. 1 2 Long, Chris. "Australia's First Films: Facts and Fables-Part Ten: Federation". Cinema Papers. 101.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.