In a notable demonstration of labor rights activism, stonemasons and building workers gathered in Melbourne to march from the University of Melbourne to Parliament House. Their collective goal was to demand the implementation of an eight-hour working day, which at the time was a radical proposition that aimed to improve labor conditions and acknowledge workers' rights to reasonable hours. Participants included skilled tradesmen, many of whom were part of labor unions advocating for better wages and working conditions. Exhausted by long hours and undercompensated for their labor, these workers sought to bring attention to their plight through a peaceful march.

The march drew significant attention as it was not only a display of unity among workers but also served to rally public support for labor reform. The route taken was symbolic, running from an educational institution to the seat of government, thereby reinforcing the importance of education, organization, and political engagement in the fight for workers' rights. The event's timing coincided with global movements advocating for labor reforms, influenced by the broader international context.

This mobilization resulted in discussions among lawmakers and enforceable regulations regarding labor practices. Advocates reached out to various community leaders and active organizations, fostering an environment where the call for an eight-hour workday became part of the political discourse in Victoria. Ultimately, this march laid early groundwork for workers' rights movements in Australia, igniting significant changes in labor laws over subsequent years.