Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs

Help spread the word about Discovering Democracy in Australia by sending a friend an E card of famous Australia painter, Tom Roberts work, 'The Big Picture', which is the official recording of the opening of the first Federal Parliament on 9 May 1901.

Your special card will also provide a gateway to information about Tom Roberts, his personal letters, and speeches of the day and a detailed history of this important work. The painting hangs in Parliament House, Canberra, and is very fragile having undergone major restoration.

This E card program is being used to take this important work on tour to classrooms and art lovers throughout Australia and the world.

By sending this 'In the Artist's Footsteps' E card to friends you will provide them with the opportunity to enjoy the works and lives of some of Australia's most famous painters including Sir Arthur Streeton, Charles Conder, Walter Withers, and the Women of the Heidelberg School Clara Southern, May Vale, Jane Price, Elizabeth Parsons and Jane Sutherland.

If you wish to order a poster of 'The Big Picture' telephone the Federal Parliamentary Bookshop on
0262 775050.

TOM ROBERTS
Born England 1856, Arrived Australia 1869, Died 1931
OPENING OF THE FIRST PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA BY H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CORNWALL AND YORK,
(LATER H.M. KING GEORGE V) MAY 9 1901 (1903)
oil on canvas, 304.5 x 509.2 cm
Collection: On permanent loan to the Parliament of Australia from the British Royal Collection

Left: Arthur Streeton - Above Us The Great Grave Sky, 1890
Collection: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.