History, culture and community connect across commemoration weekend at Royal Exhibition Building
The free public program will take place Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May from 12pm–5pm
Left: Glass Stereotype Negative – Federation Celebrations, Illuminated Exhibition Building, by G.H. Myers, Melbourne, Victoria, 1901. Source: Museums Victoria.
Right: Photograph of Culture Connects Us All event at Immigration Museum. Source: Museums Victoria.
Melbourne’s landmark Royal Exhibition Building will host a weekend of free public programming on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May. The events invite the community to come together through civic dialogue, cultural performance and family-friendly activities, marking 125 years since the opening of Australia’s Federal Parliament on May 9 1901.
In May 1901, Melbourne came alive with street processions, music, fireworks and public gatherings, as people travelled from across Victoria to take part in Australia’s Federation. As a contemporary counterpoint, the Royal Exhibition Building Open Day public program offers a rich mix of hands-on learning, live performances and participatory events exploring democracy, history, identity and community.
A highlight of the Saturday 9 May programming includes an on-stage debate by the Y’s Youth Parliament, presided over by Her Excellency, the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia. The debate will be a lively interrogation of the vital intersections of social media and artificial intelligence between Victoria’s brightest young future leaders.
‘Now more than ever, Australia’s civic literacy and participation in civic life is critical to the future of our democracy. This country’s young people will steward us through the next 125 years and beyond, shaping the future of our Nation,’ said Her Excellency, the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia.
Audiences can enjoy a vibrant line-up of cultural performances, including traditional Greek and Vietnamese dancers, alongside a diverse showcase of community-led acts reflecting Melbourne’s multicultural identity.
A curated selection of local food trucks will be available throughout the weekend, including Pasta Face (Italian), Banh Mi Brother (Vietnamese) and more, reflecting the many cultures and flavours that combine to make up modern Australia.
‘Museums Victoria is proud to open the Royal Exhibition Building to the community for this free weekend of programming, bringing together history, culture and civic participation in a way that commemorates 125 years of Australia’s Federal Parliament and invites all Victorians to reflect on our shared democratic story,’ said Lynley Crosswell, Museums Victoria CEO and director.
The Royal Exhibition Building Open Day will take place on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May from 12pm to 5pm each day. Entry is free. The full program can be seen here.
Museums Victoria would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Scanlon Foundation and McKinnon in making this event possible.
