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In 1883, Sir Henry Parkes conceived the idea of creating a federal council.
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In the year 1885, the federal council was formed.
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In 1889, Sir Henry Parkes called for all the colonies to form a federal government in Tenterfield.
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Deligates from all 6 colonies and New Zealand decided to call a National Convention the following year in Melbourne, 1890.
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Delegates from all the colonies came to Sydney and organised a constitutional convention, which approved a draft written by Andrew Inglis Clark, but the colonial parliments failed to ratify it.
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John Quick proposed that a formal nation should be established with each of the six Australian colonies to be represented by ten elected delegates.
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Delegates from all colonies except Queensland went to an Australian Constitutional Conventions in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne. In Melbourne the convention finally produced a draft constitution that was approved.
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Everyone in every colony except WA and QLD voted for or against federation. The vote for against won so federation did not happen.
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Everyone in every colony except WA voted again and there were more votes for federation but to federate they still needed WA to vote.
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Queen Victoria proclaims that the Commonwealth of Australia will come into existance on the 1st of January in 1901.
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In Sydney, 1901 Australia becomes one nation when the six colonies federate.
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The National Flag was first flown on the 3rd of September 1901 and since then the key elements have remained unchanged.
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In 1902, Australian women receive the right to vote in Federal elections.
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In 1907, the Commonwealth basic wage (set by the Harvester Judgement) is 2 pounds, 2 shillings per six-day week.
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In 1908, the National Capital site was selected in the Yass-Canberra district.
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In 1910, the first Commonwealth silver coins, the first Commonwealth treasury bank notes and the first Commonwealth postage stamps were all issued.
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In 1913, the Federal Capital was named Canberra.
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In 1921, Edith Cowan was the first woman to be elected to an Australian Parliament.
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In 1924, compulsory voting in Federal elections was introduced.
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In 2001, it was Australia's 100th anniversary of Federating.
