May 1st was selected as International Labour Day by the Second International held at Paris in 1889. The first May Day celebrations in Australia were held at Barcaldine, Queensland on 1 May 1891.
The celebration of May Day in Wollongong appears to date from 1912 when coalminers in the district took an unpaid holiday. Mining unionists were to remain strongly represented on the May Day Committee which was formed some time later. Its particular function was the organisation of an annual parade and picnic.
Warning: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are advised this collection contains images of people who are deceased.
For additional information refer to the University of Wollongong Archives collection guide.
