Vic: Victoria marks Centenary of Federation with lecture series

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2001
Vic: Victoria marks Centenary of Federation with lecture series

Melbourne, the town that hosted Australia's first parliament, is celebrating the Centenary
of Federation with a lecture series by some of the world's top thinkers.

Victorian Arts Minister MARY DELAHUNTY has launched the Alfred Deakin Lectures as the
centrepiece of the state's Centenary of Federation celebrations.

The Federation festival begins on May 9, the same day the first Australian parliament
sat at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building in 1901.

The festival ends on May 27, marking the day in 1967 when a referendum was held to
give Aborigines the right to vote.

The free lecture series, named after the Melbourne barrister and journalist who became
Australia's second prime minister, will be held in the Melbourne Town Hall and the Capitol
Theatre.

The talks feature 53 of the world's leading intellectuals, including Palestinian philosopher
and writer Dr EDWARD SAID and British astronomer Sir MARTIN REES.

Home-grown speakers including Aboriginal rights worker Professor MARCIA LANGTON, former
prime minister MALCOLM FRASER and super super-swimmer KIERAN PERKINS will also step up
to the rostrum.

AAP RTV nl/gfr/hn/wz

KEYWORD: FEDERATION (MELBOURNE)

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