Royal Exhibition Building marks 125 years since birth of federal parliament

Australia’s democratic story returned to one of its most symbolic stages earlier this month, as national and state leaders gathered at Carlton’s Royal Exhibition Building to mark 125 years since the opening of the nation’s first federal parliament.

The event commemorated May 9, 1901, when the Royal Exhibition Building hosted the formal opening of Australia’s Federal Parliament, a defining moment in the country’s Federation and democratic history.

Held inside the UNESCO World Heritage-listed landmark, the anniversary brought together Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, senior dignitaries, First Peoples representatives, community groups and invited guests for formal proceedings reflecting on the nation’s democratic journey and the work still to be done.

A personal message from King Charles III was delivered by the Governor-General, encouraging Australians to reflect on the enduring spirit of the country’s democracy and describing Australia as a confident, forward-looking nation shaped by fairness and equality.

In her own address, the Governor-General said the anniversary was both a moment of celebration and reflection.

“125 years ago, we united as a modern nation,” she said.

“As we have grown and recognised the contribution of our indigenous heritage and the diversity of our communities, we acknowledge past challenges, but importantly celebrate today the progress made since Federation, which has contributed to the modern, successful, stable, and optimistic nation we enjoy today.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australians should take pride in the resilience of the democratic institutions first inaugurated in the building in 1901.

“Australians should take real, patriotic pride in our enduring democratic achievement,” he said.

Today we celebrate the foundations laid 125 years ago – and the vibrant, inclusive democracy we are today.

A notable part of the ceremony came from newly elected First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria co-chairs Meriki Onus and Djaran Murray-Jackson, who gave their first public speech since taking on the roles.

Their contribution brought a more complex truth to the celebration, acknowledging both the significance of democratic milestones and the pain that Federation represented for First Peoples.

“We all know it’s important to celebrate milestones, but for our people this milestone signifies dispossession, and pain,” Mr Murray-Jackson said.

Yet both co-chairs also pointed to treaty as part of a new democratic chapter, with Ms Onus saying the current generation had the chance to make the country’s democracy “stronger and more inclusive than how we found it”.

The formal proceedings also included the creation of a new commemorative image by Gunggari photographer Tiffany Garvie, offering a contemporary counterpoint to Charles Nuttall’s iconic painted record of the 1901 opening. The photograph will enter the State Collection.

The anniversary then flowed into a weekend of free public programming, with the Royal Exhibition Building opening its doors for civic dialogue, performances, exhibitions and guided tours. Among the objects on display were one of only four official Treaty documents on public display for the first time, Nuttall’s monumental The Opening, Commonwealth Parliament (1901–02), and the State Landau Coach used in ceremonial processions in 1901.

For Museums Victoria, which helped lead the event, the occasion reinforced the enduring significance of the building as both a heritage icon and a living civic space.

“Not every building becomes a home for a nation’s story. The Royal Exhibition Building did,” Museums Board of Victoria president Mary Stuart said.

That story, 125 years on, is still being written.