Cabinet submission proposing changes to the Constitution relating to First Australians
This confidential Cabinet document provides details about the parliamentary process leading up to the 1967 Referendum.
First World War conscription plebiscite – ballot paper
A ballot paper from a plebiscite, held on 28 October 1916, regarding conscription for military service outside of Australia.
Australian servicemen in Iraq the morning after Armistice
A photograph of men from the 1st Australian Wireless Signal Squadron, who served in Mesopotamia from 1916 to 1918.
First World War: The Middle East
From 1916, Australian troops served with Allied forces throughout the Middle East, mainly taking part in action against the Ottoman Empire.
First World War: conscription
In 1916, Prime Minister Billy Hughes called for a plebiscite on the issue of conscription for war service. He hoped to make military service compulsory.
Observation of Anzac Day – letter from Thuringowa Council
Letter about the observation of Anzac Day, first held on 25 April 1916. It marked the first anniversary of the landing of ANZAC troops at Gallipoli.
The first Anzac day parade in Brisbane
A photograph of the first Anzac Day march held in Brisbane, on 25 April 1916. It marked the first anniversary of the landing at the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.
Memorial to Desert Mounted Corps – Jerusalem war cemetery
From 1916, Australian troops served with allied forces in a series of engagements throughout the Middle East, mainly against the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey).
Parents providing consent for their son to enlist in the First World War – Edward Drew
A letter from Edward Drew’s parents giving their consent for him to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force in 1916. Men under 21 required permission to enlist.
Daniel Mannix, Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne
This fact sheet provides information on the National Archives' records about Archbishop Daniel Mannix.
Records about First Australians
The National Archives holds many records relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their histories.
National service and war, 1939–45
Information on National Archives records about national service and war, 1939–45.
Royal Military College, Duntroon
This fact sheet provides information on National Archives about the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
Universal military training in Australia, 1911–29
Information on National Archives records about universal military training in Australia from 1911 to 1929.
Opium watch
It’s an age-old story: ships, sailors and smuggling. With opium smoking outlawed in 1905, smuggling became increasingly lucrative.
Security intelligence records held in Canberra
Information on National Security Security intelligence records held in Canberra.
Alien registration records held in Perth
This fact sheet provides information on alien registration records held in Perth.
Rejected recruits
Over 400,000 people enlisted to do their part in ‘The Great War’. Even more tried to sign up. Unfortunately, enthusiasm wasn’t always a match for the Army’s exacting standards.
World War I internee, alien and POW records held in Sydney
This fact sheet provides information on World War I internee, alien and POW records held in Sydney.
Walter Burley Griffin and the design of Canberra
National archival records about Walter Burley Griffin and the design of Canberra.