Corowa Shire is proud of its history as the ‘Birthplace of Federation’. Situated in south west New South Wales along the Murray River, Corowa has a population of 5,300 people. It was in 1893 that Sir John Quick put forward a motion at a conference in the Corowa Court House that paved the way towards the federation of the Australian States.
The forthcoming Centenary of Australia’s Federation provides an excellent opportunity for Corowa to celebrate its important role in Australia’s path to nationhood.
To coordinate local celebrations, Council formed the Corowa Federation Centenary 2001 Committee. This comprises Councillors and representatives of the tourist industry, historical society, youth and the general community.
Activities include a Federation Dinner on 29 July 2000 where the special guest was the New South Wales Governor, Gordon Samuels AC.
The Federation Dinner is an annual event organised by the Corowa District Historical Society to acknowledge the 1893 conference.
This year, prior to the dinner there will be a re-enactment of a customs trial in the Corowa Court House.
It was issues concerning the movement of goods and people across the border between the then colonies of NSW and Victoria that led to the original 1893 motion being moved.
Mayor Gary Poidevin will launch the Corowa District Historical Society’s book ‘Corowa Birthplace of Federation’ at the Dinner.
On 2 December 2000, a Centenary of the Recognition Banquet recognising Sir John Quick and Edmund Barton will be held. Guests from Sir John Quick’s home town of Bendigo, including representatives from Local Government, will attend this function. Further celebrations and events are scheduled throughout 2001.
Corowa’s Federation Museum provides visitors to the town with a great insight into our ‘Birthplace of Federation’.
