Indignation Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
By GhostGums on 02-Sep-10. Waypoint GA1984

In 1850 Queen Victoria announced the formation of a new colony, which was to be named after herself of course, with separation occurring from New South Wales on 1 July 1851.

It was the start of the interstate rivalry between Victoria and New South Wales. To out do their northern cousins, the new colony set about constructing a new and impressive parliament building. Construction began in 1856, and the work is yet to be completed. Within 10 months of the work commencing, progress was so quick, that both houses were able to sit for the first time on the 21 November 1956.

In 1880 work on the west wing commenced, and a decision was made to source the stone from New South Wales as opposed to the Heatherlie Quarry in Stawell, which was the main supplier of stone for Melbourne at the time. The main reason given was due to the expense of transportation of the stone to Melbourne, which was by bullock dray.

A fiery debate broke out. The Honourable John Woods MP, the local member for Stawell, to express his indignation at the choice of NSW stone, arranged for a 4 metre high pillar of stone from Stawell, to be placed outside the Royal Exhibition Building, to prove its durable quality, by claiming it would outlast the building.

In 1882 the Government subsidised the construction of a tramway from Stawell, which helped reduce the cost of transport, and in 1885 a royal commission made the decision to use the Stawell stone.

The post co-ordinates will take you to the site of the Stawell stone pillar, adjacent to the Royal Exhibition Building, which was also the site of Australia's first parliament. You will note that both are still standing, so the Wood's demonstration in essence is yet to be concluded. 

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