Australia Day 1918

61-65 Great Queen St London

See directions

Name

Connaught Rooms

Connection

Australia Day celebrated here on January 26th, 1918.

Location

61–65 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5BZ

How to get there

Nearest underground: Holborn (Central and Piccadilly Lines)

Story

By 1918, The Australian Natives Association (London Branch) were calling January 26 'Australia Day' long before all the Australian States formally adopted the term in 1935.

This is a further example of the ANA's efforts to provide entertainment for Australian soldiers in London during the First World War – see also – here.

The Connaught Rooms continue to this day as a function space, holding many business and social events over the years. One such event was held here to mark Australia Day for Australians in London in January 1918. This is how the building looks today.



The Connaught Rooms today

In 1918, Australia Day was celebrated on different dates in each of the Australian states. Here is a photo of an Australia Day badge from 1918 (personal collection) – origin unknown.




Here is a poster advertising the celebrations of the day.



Source Australian Unity Limited Archives, Melbourne here