ACT Heritage Library Manuscript Collections

HMSS 0448 ACT Jubilee Celebrations Committee

Scope and Content Notes 

The ACT Jubilee Celebrations Committee was formed to plan the celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary of the Commonwealth of Australia for those living in Canberra and the ACT.  It was originally instituted under the auspices of Prime Minister Robert Menzies, who wanted the citizens of Australia to play a full part in the organisation of the celebrations, rather than them being monopolised by Commonwealth Government directives. Thus Jubilee Celebration Committees were established across the States and the ACT, in conjunction with a Commonwealth Committee.

The Jubilee Celebrations were intended to continue throughout the whole of 1951. A sum of £2,000 had been allocated for the use of the ACT Committee.

The Chairman of the ACT Committee was Charles Studdy Daley, Assistant Secretary to the Department of the Interior. CS Daley was influential in the establishment of Canberra. Other members of the group included Arthur Thomas Shakespeare, Managing Editor of The Canberra Times, Mrs J F Bingham of the National Council of Women, Sir Douglas Copland and Sir Robert Garran.

The committee organised a calendar of celebratory events coinciding with notable dates, beginning with special church services on the 31 December. The dates included: 1 January, the anniversary of the Proclamation of the Commonwealth; 26 January, Australia Day; 12 March, Canberra Day; 25 April, ANZAC Day; 9 May, the anniversary of Opening of Parliament and 24 May, Empire Day. The events included parades, dances, musical performances, fireworks and the singing of hymns. The committee also organised artistic, horticultural and literary exhibitions, as well as balls, sporting matches and reunions.

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