Official programme for the Inaugural Celebrations for Federation 1901
Object numberM2023/036:010
TitleOfficial programme for the Inaugural Celebrations for Federation 1901
DescriptionOfficial programme for the Commonwealth celebrations in 1901 owned by Aaron Blashki.
The Blashki family legacy in Australia begins in 1858, when Phillip and Hannah Blashki (nee Immergut) arrived in Melbourne from England; they originally emigrated from Poland in 1855. The Blashki's quickly established themselves amid the frenzy of the Victorian gold rush and that same year, Minnie gave birth to twins, the first two of 14 children.
Aaron, the third child born in Australia (24 June, 1860) was a great supporter of education, Zionism, and charitable endeavours. At the age of 13, he began his career as a cigar manufacturer and property developer, accepting a position with Melbourne based Jacobs Hart and Company; he later bought out the Sydney business of the firm and founded A. Blashki, Ltd. In 1909 he erected the Blashki Building on the corner of Hunter and Elizabeth Streets. He was at various times a director of the Sydney Storage Co., the Eagle Tobacco Co., the Hetton Bellbird Colliery, the Katoomba and Leura Gas Co., and the Sydney Exchange Co.
In 1896, he founded the Sydney Jewish Aid Society and presided over the organisation for over 30 years. Between 1912 and 1914, Aaron was the president of the Great Synagogue in Elizabeth Street, but prior to this he had held posts as treasurer (1897-1898) and vice-president (1899-1900). Aaron was also founded the first Zionist Society in Sydney and was affiliated with a long list of other Jewish associations and movements in Sydney, including but not limited to, the Union of Sydney Zionists, Montefiore Home board, NSW Jewish War Memorial and the Chevra Kadisha.
He was married to Minnie Blashki (nee Waxman) in 1891 and they had three children, Eric Phillip (born 1891), Roy (born 1894) and Viva Doreen (born 1898). Roy was killed in action during his service in Belgium, 1917. Aaron was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1937 and died in 1938; he was 68 years old.
The Blashki family legacy in Australia begins in 1858, when Phillip and Hannah Blashki (nee Immergut) arrived in Melbourne from England; they originally emigrated from Poland in 1855. The Blashki's quickly established themselves amid the frenzy of the Victorian gold rush and that same year, Minnie gave birth to twins, the first two of 14 children.
Aaron, the third child born in Australia (24 June, 1860) was a great supporter of education, Zionism, and charitable endeavours. At the age of 13, he began his career as a cigar manufacturer and property developer, accepting a position with Melbourne based Jacobs Hart and Company; he later bought out the Sydney business of the firm and founded A. Blashki, Ltd. In 1909 he erected the Blashki Building on the corner of Hunter and Elizabeth Streets. He was at various times a director of the Sydney Storage Co., the Eagle Tobacco Co., the Hetton Bellbird Colliery, the Katoomba and Leura Gas Co., and the Sydney Exchange Co.
In 1896, he founded the Sydney Jewish Aid Society and presided over the organisation for over 30 years. Between 1912 and 1914, Aaron was the president of the Great Synagogue in Elizabeth Street, but prior to this he had held posts as treasurer (1897-1898) and vice-president (1899-1900). Aaron was also founded the first Zionist Society in Sydney and was affiliated with a long list of other Jewish associations and movements in Sydney, including but not limited to, the Union of Sydney Zionists, Montefiore Home board, NSW Jewish War Memorial and the Chevra Kadisha.
He was married to Minnie Blashki (nee Waxman) in 1891 and they had three children, Eric Phillip (born 1891), Roy (born 1894) and Viva Doreen (born 1898). Roy was killed in action during his service in Belgium, 1917. Aaron was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1937 and died in 1938; he was 68 years old.
Production placeSydney, New South Wales
Production date 1901
Object namepamphlets
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- width: 150.00 mm
height: 236.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Andrew Samuel. This object is donated in memory of Aaron Blashki.

