Inauguration of the Commonwealth

The film begins by following a procession through the streets of Sydney, marking the federation of Australia on 1 January 1901. This procession is seen to be led by 200 mounted police, followed by railway bandsmen, shearers and bush workers, decorated floats, large numbers of Australian and Imperial troops, as well as carriages carrying the first Governor-General John Hope, first Prime Minister Edmund Barton, state premiers and other dignitaries. An estimated 10,000 people participated in this procession. The parade followed a processional route from the public grounds of the Domain, through the central business district and city centre before heading south east towards Centennial Park where a purpose built pavilion was erected for the federation ceremony. Between 250,000 and 500,000 spectators attended the route of the procession. Within the pavilion at Centennial Park, the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, William Smith is seen to greet the Governor General John Hope, the Prime Minister Edmund Barton and other dignitaries. Following this, the Governor General directs the swearing in of Australia's first federal cabinet and the reading of the Proclamation of the Constitution. The Governor General and government ministers are depicted signing an oath of allegiance at a table in the centre of the purpose-built pavilion. The film concludes with footage showing scenes within Centennial Park the day after the events previously mentioned. Within these scenes, the Governor General and leading military figures are seen presiding over large masses of Australian and Imperial troops. == Production ==

Conception Inauguration of the Commonwealth was produced by the Limelight Department of the Salvation Army. The Limelight Department of the Salvation Army was formed in 1891. This corresponded with the founder of the Salvation Army, William Booth, touring Australia for the first time. The director of Inauguration of the Commonwealth, Joseph Perry, was appointed equipment operator of the Limelight Department soon after its establishment. In this role, he at first directed picture-slide presentations which illustrated the Salvation Army's purpose, and garnered the public to donate to the cause. As The Sydney Morning Herald on 12 November 1900 reported:“The Premier is of the opinion that the occasion will lend itself to the production of a number of splendid views, and is hopeful that full advantage will be taken of it to secure films that will be viewed with considerable interest by people throughout the British Empire.” The film was shot using original Lumiere cinematograph cameras, with nearly all the available cameras available in Sydney being in use in production of the film. These cameras were manually operated via a hand crank and utilised a degradable 35mm film. == Release ==

Inauguration of the Commonwealth premiered in Sydney at Her Majesty's Theatre on 19 January 1901. == Reception ==

The demand to watch the film was immense, with the Salvation Army establishing ‘The Australian Kinematographic Company’ to manage this demand and separate the unexpected profitability of Inauguration of the Commonwealth from the Salvation Army's charitable mission. Surges in print sales from Australia's major cities led independent film touring companies to distribute the film worldwide. The proceeds from the film were utilised to support the Salvation Army's mission, as well as to replace the Limelight Department's failing camera equipment. == Legacy ==

Inauguration of the Commonwealth was the first film to utilise simultaneous multiple camera coverage and to have a run-time of over 30 minutes. With a run time of 35 minutes, it was more than five times longer than any previous Australian film. Inauguration of the Commonwealth was the first film to contain moving images of a nation being created. It was the first feature-length documentary film to be produced in Australia. Additionally, it was the most widely distributed Australian film of its time. ==References==