Federation of Australia commemorates 1 January 1901, when the six separate British self-governing colonies joined to form the Commonwealth of Australia. On this day, Sir Edmund Barton was sworn in as Australia’s first prime minister in Sydney. The event is a key moment in Australia’s political history and offers an opportunity to discuss federation, citizenship, and the development of national identity.

Event Suggestions:
• Create a timeline showing the path to Australian federation
• Discuss how federation changed governance, citizenship, and national identity
• Explore historical images, maps, or documents connected to 1901 Australia