Agent TypeOrganisationActivities & OccupationsTrade UnionsHistoryLabour Day grew from the celebration of Eight Hours Day, gained by Melbourne building tradesmen in 1856. Moomba then replaced the Eight Hours Day procession. Celebration of eight hours day with cultural events is however making a comeback. Building unions demanded that when the Melbourne concert hall was built, it would be made avail- able to the trade union movement, without charge, for a labour day cele- bration each year.
Trade Union Labour Day Committee. University of Melbourne Archives, accessed 15/05/2026, https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/61702
