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industrialised part of Melbourne and would remain so up to the First World War. Labourers,
however, were earning little more than seven shillings for an eight-hour day, and a labourer's
family, of five persons, was spending on average about £1.12.6 a week on groceries, food and
rent. Rates, lighting, heating, fares, clothes, household purchases, etc were extra.
Another and universal cause for celebration was the birth of Australia as a nation on 1 January
1901. The necessary Act and attendant legislation had been passed by the British Parliament in
July 1900 and given Queen Victoria's official assent. But the proclamation of the
Commonwealth of Australia and the union of the six colonies was delayed until September, to
allow Western Australia to fall in line.
At the end of December 1900, Edmund Barton became Australia's first Prime Minister, heading
a ministry that included Sir John Forrest, Sir Philip Fysh, Sir William Lyne and Alfred Deakin,
and governing a population of 3.8 million whites. Half a million of them, arriving by ferry, tram
and train, packing into Sydney on New Year's Day for a varied programme of ceremonies,
speeches, processions and feasts. Flags and banners flew and fireworks exploded; buildings
were outlined in electric light, which illuminated the new nation's slogan - 'One People, One
Destiny'.
There was a much stronger feeling of national identity and of celebration than in 1888.
Centennial Park was the centre of Sydney's celebrations, and therein a huge grandstand with a
canopy was erected with 'ample accommodation for Horses and Vehicles'... 'refreshments of
every description, also Musical Selections'... 'a Panoramic View overlooking the Swearing In
Ground'... 'Comfortable Seats with Reclining Backs'... 'ample sanitary accommodation'. Seats
cost between six and ten shillings. At the Sydney Cricket Ground massed military bands gave a
concert of Christmas Carols. Military and civilian brass bands, and many soldiers, including
British and Indian contingents, marched in the ceremonial procession to Centennial Park, which
was led by representatives of the trades unions and their tableaux and displays. Those that
followed in carriages included the press, judges, clergymen, mayors, politicians, councillors, and
the heads of the church, state and the
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the home of the Governor-General. It was to remain so for the next 26 years, until Parliament
moved to its permanent home in Canberra.'
In 1902, Richard's second son, Dick, left South Africa and returned to Melbourne, to his wife,
Fanny, three daughters and little son. There were no presents, according to his third daughter,
Lily or Lil (then aged eight), but they were all pleased to see him: he just suddenly appeared at
the door of the family home.
To begin with they lived not far from Richard senior in Errol St, by the railway line. Then they
moved even nearer, to Buckley St, on the southern side of the railway tracks. So of all
Richard's children - apart from his unmarried eldest daughter, Elizabeth Jane (who still lived with
her parents) - Richard probably saw the most of Dick, Fanny and their four children, Louisa,
Jessie, Lilian, and Richard Thomas, who was six in 1902.
Dick was still in South Africa when he was robbed by a kaffit (according to Aunt Lil), while
going to post a letter to Melbourne; he was hit on the back of the head. This is said to have
contributed to his blindness: his optic nerves were damaged, and creeping cataracts soon
robbed him of his sight. On account of this, he is also said, while scavenging in a quarry, to have
fallen and hurt himself.
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