We invite Australians around the nation to participate wholeheartedly in next year's celebrations of the Centenary of Federation.
In Canberra tomorrow we will join together formally to launch the Centenary Year and its national calendar of events.
Australia has come a long way since 1901, when the Federation Fathers laid the foundations for the birth of the Commonwealth of Australia. Six colonies uniting in Federation was a momentous step achieved by peaceful, democratic means.
In the past hundred years, Australia has established itself as one of the world's most successful and enduring democracies.
The Centenary is an opportunity to add further momentum to the Olympic spirit, and to reinforce the sense of pride, achievement and unity so enthusiastically embraced in Sydney.
As part of tomorrow's launch, the National Council for the Centenary of Federation will release a program highlighting the main activities of the Centenary Year.
Events and celebrations will be held around the nation throughout 2001. The National Council has devised a program to reach Australians everywhere, and to encourage them to reflect on the past, take pride in the present and look to the future with confidence.
It is to be an inclusive year. It will involve people from all cultures and all sections of our community and acknowledge the contributions over a century of people, both known and nameless.
It is appropriate that as well as remembering our history, we should be using this significant anniversary to look to the future.
We commend the National Council's central theme for the year, "Australia: It's what we make it".
The commitment, courage and vision that founded the Federation will be essential in steering the nation's course for the future.
Let us all take pride in our Centenary.
7 November 2000
See also:
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/nph-wb/20010131130000/http://www.pm.gov.au/ne…