When you enter the Great Hall at Parliament House your eyes will be immediately drawn, hopefully not in the “Oh my god, what’s that” sort of way, to the massive tapestry covering most of the back wall of the Hall. Continue reading “The Great Hall Tapestry – Parliament House”
For me this is one of the most architecturally interesting and satisfying buildings not only in Australia but in the world and is certainly a major contrast to the previous building – Old Parliament House – which was only ever intended to be a temporary home for the Australian Parliament, albeit a temporary home that lasted 61 years. It would be quite unfair to compare the two buildings. Continue reading “Parliament House – Canberra”
The Canberra Centenary Trail was launched in 2013, Canberra’s centenary year. In the main it linked pre-existing walks, paths, fire trails, etc though around 20-30kms of the trail is along new paths, mainly along the Northern section. Walk it all or any part of it, you won’t be disappointed. Continue reading “Walk around Canberra – Centenary Trail”
Annually, for the two weeks prior to Canberra Day in early March, the public buildings in the Parliamentary Triangle become canvases and turn into illuminated public artworks. The National Library, Questacon (Science Museum), the National Portrait Gallery, the National Art Gallery, Old Parliament House and Parliament House are all lit up via projected images in an event called Enlighten. Even the water feature on the avenue up to the High Court bust into flames in 2014. Continue reading “Canberra becomes Enlightened”
I first came across this about in mid 2012 and despite examining it closely I had no idea what it was. All I could tell from it was that three people including King (that was his first name not his title) O’Malley and two others had laid a stone on 12 March 1913 and the whole thing had been moved to its current location on 12 March 1988 (to make way for the construction of Parliament House). I took the attached photo (the first one!) and carried on about my business. Continue reading “Foundation Stone – What is it?”
The National Archives is custodian of all significant government/public service documents in Australia. No documents are of more significance than those which created The Commonwealth of Australia (to give it its full name) – affectionately known as the country’s birth certificates. Continue reading “National Archives – Australia’s Birth Certificates”
The National Archives of Australia is responsible for keeping federal government records – the Government and Public (Civil) Service filing system if you like. My initial thoughts were what could possibly be of any interest to a visitor among the 40 million odd records created by bureaucrats/armed forces and politicians and held by the National Archives? Then I thought – in 40 million records there must be something of interest and indeed there is – this place holds records ranging from those covering dramatic events that shaped the nation to decisions that impacted the lives of individual Australians. Continue reading “National Archives – Certainly Surprised Me”
This sculpture, commissioned in 2011 and located behind Old Parliament House, about 200 metres from the National Archives building in Parkes, recreates – at the same location and with an amazing likeness – a 1945 photo (below) of John Curtin, Australia’s fourteenth Prime Minister (1941-45), and Treasurer Joseph Benedict (Ben) Chifley, who shortly thereafter became Australia’s sixteenth Prime Minister (1945-49). Curtin actually died in office in 1945 and was replaced by Francis Forde who held office for eight days (Australia’s shortest serving Prime Minister) before handing over to the new Labor leader, Chifley.
Continue reading “Curtin and Chifley – On Their Way to Work”
There are two ways to enjoy hot air balloons in Canberra – one – take a ride in one, and two – stand or sit and watch them. Continue reading “Balloon Spectacular – Up, Up and Away”
Unfortunately this magnificent attraction underwent something of an identity crisis and for whatever reason has re-badged itself as the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House with an emphasis on the museum part. This identity crisis, I believe, stems from the move of the National Portrait section to its new permanent home at the newly built National Portrait Gallery in 2008. Continue reading “Old Parliament House – Museum of Australian Democracy”
The Rambling Wombat 