What was life like living in post-Federation, pre-war Australia (1900-1914)?
This is the immediate post Federation period of Australia history. In terms of the British Empire which still existed and which Australia was still part of – it was the Edwardian period. King Edward VII had taken over from his mother Queen Victoria. Appart from the larger cities of Sydney and Melbourne, Australia was mainly rural. It depended on exports of wool and wheat to Great Britain. Entertainment revolved around sport, Rugby League and Rugby Union and Cricket for the men and Tennis for both sexes and some swimming and Netball and Horseback riding for those fortunate enough to have a horse. For those living in the city there was some very occasional opera and ballet and other theatre. But these forms of entertainment were in their infancy in Australia. You would look to Dame Nellie Melba as the first outstanding Opera performer to come out of Australia at this time. http://www.awm.gov.au/forging/australia
