Exhibition to highlight Federation Festival Through the Years

Published on 17 December 2024

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the grandeur of Corowa's annual parade, a beloved tradition that has captivated audiences for generations. The ‘Federation Festival Through the Years’ exhibition will showcase a treasure trove of archival photographs, costumes, memorabilia, and props from the Corowa Federation Museum that honours Corowa as the birthplace of Federation.

Federation Council Mayor, Cr Cheryl Cook said the annual event began in January 1980 as an Australia Day celebration with a parade of bands playing, floats, flags flying and around 5,000 people lining Sanger Street, and it continues to pay tribute to a town that created history.

“The Federation Festival has included various other activities over the years such as Talent Quests, Bachelor and Spinsters Balls, Fireworks, Wheelchair Derby, Dinner and Tim Fischer Oration, raft races, art exhibitions, Naturalisation Ceremonies and a fly past of a Macchi jet squadron,” Mayor Cook said.

“The exhibition is presented by Corowa District Historical Society (CDHS), a volunteer group who collect, store, maintain, restore, record and promote collections at the Federation Museum and the story of Corowa’s role as ‘The Birthplace of Australia’s Federation’. To date the CDHS has digitally catalogued 17,000 entries into the Federation Museum’s collections to preserve the Corowa District’s rich history.”

Corowa District Historical Society Publicity Officer Lesley New said the display will ignite memories of past Federation Festivals.

“Especially the parades along Sanger Street where there was everything from old cars and tractors, to amazing floats created by enthusiastic community groups,” Lesley said.

“Maybe this walk down memory lane will reignite strong community spirit!”

The exhibition will be on display in conjunction with Australia Day 2025, the 45th Federation Festival Parade and various celebrations. Visit the exhibition at Corowa Art Space from 16 January to 2 February, 2025. Entry is free and opening times are Wednesday to Friday 10am – 4pm and on weekends 10am – 2pm.