The National Library of Australia has been actively collecting Federation material since 1903. As a result it holds many unique manuscript collections relating to Federation, including the letters, diaries and scrapbooks of politicians and organisations.

Our collection of maps and atlases contains some interesting items which can help provide context and background to Federation.

Federation provided the opportunity for composers to express their pride in the new nation of Australia. The National Library of Australia holds a rich collection of music from this era.

Newspapers provide an invaluable resource for researching  Australian Federation, reflecting the opinions of the colonial societies.

A comprehensive collection of original records of the Federation movement plus books, pictures, music and other material related to Federation.

There are a number of online Australian databases, both current and archival, subscribed to by the Library that provide access to information on Federation and related issues.

The National Library collects pictorial material in order to document significant people, places and events in Australian history and society.

The Australian and overseas printed collections at the National Library of Australia contain substantial material which can support research into Federation in Australia.

On 1 January 1901, the six existing self-governing British colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, came together in union to create the Commonwealth of Australia.

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