Federation Peak
Sir Edmund Hillary called Federation Peak “Australia’s only real mountain”. Beware the warnings of the few who dare try – lives and reputations have been lost by those who touch anything named ‘Federation’ in Australia.
Foundation 1901 exists to generate understanding and ideas about our Federation’s past and its future.
Australia became one nation when the people of the colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia voted to create the Commonwealth of Australia and the Commonwealth Government. Australia came to life on 1 January 1901. This process is known as ‘federation’.
How did this come about and why? Did we get it right? Is it working now?
What do we want to do about it now and into the future?
The way our Federation ‘works’ affects all Australians.
Foundation 1901 seeks an enduring presence in the future of Australia’s Federation as an apolitical home for respectful discussion and debate.
What we do
Foundation 1901 will undertake research projects, run competitions, offer scholarships and provide information, both independently and in partnership with other organisations.
Project 1
Project 2
Funding
Consistent with the long-standing Australian folklore of self sufficiency, Foundation 1901 will be funded through majority non-government sources. It was granted charity status in 2014 and non-enduring DGR status in 2019 until 2021. Further DGR arrangements for 2021 onwards have indicative approval.
The establishment of the Foundation, while important, is a starting point in generating a much needed permanent national discussion about our Federation that will, of necessity, include many voices and interests.