Henry Marconi: AUSTRALIA IS 100

Up to 1 million spectators assembled in Sydney to admire a gigantic fireworks display marking the New Year's Eve. The Australian media proclaimed the event 'the best New Year's party in the world'. Unlike other countries, Australians has an additional reason to celebrate this year. On January 1, 1901 leaders of six British colonies assembled in Sydney to form a new country known today as the Commonwealth of Australia. The new state quickly established its own government and national symbols. The Australian flag was chosen from 32823 entries in a national competition. The first Federal parliament assembled in Melbourne on May 9, 1901. Mr. Edmund Barton became the first Prime Minister of Australia. The early Australia was quite different from what the country is today. Her citizens considered themselves, above all, British. The language and customs of the old country remained an established way of life. Gradually, however, the country developed its own independent identity. Australian soldiers fought under their own flag in two world wars. After 1945 a large number of immigrants from Europe settled here and changed the image of Australia forever. While most of them came from Greece and Italy, the new arrivals included also thousands of Russians eager to start new life. Today, all major Australian towns have Russian clubs, churches, shops and newspapers. The centenary celebrations continued on January, 1 st, with an official ceremony in Sydney attended by top politicians and large crowd of spectators. In the afternoon, Sydney witnessed a gigantic parade featuring over 6000 performers - singers, dancers, marching bands and guests from all over the country.

Henry Marconi