The First Eight Hour Day Procession

Reproduction of the original 1856 Melbourne Eight Hour Day banner

Building unions celebrated their Eight Hour Day victory on the Whit-Monday holiday, 12 May 1856, with a procession from the Carlton Gardens to the Cremorne Gardens in Richmond. A special banner, 8 Hours Labour 8 Hours Recreation 8 Hours Rest, was launched.

'Shortly after ten o'clock the procession, about 1200 or 1500 strong, preceded by the band, issued forth . supported by a Union Jack, with a golden figure of Eight on the spear end of the shaft.' The procession was followed by a dinner for six to seven hundred, speeches, sports and other festivities including fireworks.