While there is much debate surrounding the date of Australia Day, did you know Australia Day was first celebrated on 30 July 1915? It was a sequel to Belgian Day held on 15 May 1915.
The first Australia Day was celebrated with carnivals and street processions and a variety of entertainments such as concerts and other novel events. The intent was to raise money on behalf of wounded and invalided soldiers.
Although the day was not a public holiday and while all the shops were open, very little trading took place.
Below are scenes of the Australia Day celebrations in various parts of the Northwest.
From top clockwise: (1) Australia Day parade at Wynyard; (2) Interior of a new Military Hall ready for the Australia Day fair at Latrobe; (3) Gathering at Penguin with midget Jack Tars and the fire brigade; (4) Street parade at Penguin; (5) Preparing for Australia Day at Zeehan with consignments of wild west coast berries for the cities; and (6) Section of the crowd on Main Street at Waratah.