A stroll through the rarely open Federation Gallery at the National Archives of Australia in Canberra reminds WfaAR how long it took to negotiate and draft the first Australian federal Constitution. Starting in 1890, it was considered by several constitutional conventions, the earliest ones also involving New Zealand, then expected to become the seventh State of Australasia. For three years, nothing happened at all due to adverse economic conditions. The first time that the Constitution bill was put to (male) voters in NSW, it failed. But the drafters persisted under the guidance of some fine, passionate political leaders. We should too but are in need of gifted, future-oriented politicians to get us over the line. No sign of any at present.
Woman for an Australian Republic, Adelaide Ironside, republican poet and artist 1831-1867
Self portrait 1855, Newcastle Art Gallery NSW
