Previous Find of the Month August 2021

August 2021

Surveyor-General Photo Collection

From a Bird's Eye View

Commonwealth Avenue leading to New Parliament House.

The Surveyor-General photographic collection showcases the bush capital from a bird's eye view. It demonstrates the integration of the suburbs, bush, and buildings, along with the development of the lakes and river systems that are well known to the south, Central and north Canberra regions. Welcome to ArchiveACT's August Find of the Month.

CENTRAL CANBERRA

Australian-American Memorial "The Eagle", Russell

A part of the Griffins' design for Canberra, the image above shows how "The Eagle" was the first hallmark of the Russell precinct. It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954, in commemoration of the relationship between Australian and American troops during WW2.1

Australian-American Memorial "The Eagle"

"The Eagle" consists of a 73 metre pillar, with a sphere and eagle placed on top, which alone measures 11 meters.2 The wings of the eagle help give this monument another of its nicknames-Bugs Bunny. The monument still retains its visual significance, and easily be viewed across the lake, amongst trees and buildings.

View of the Parliamentary Triangle with no lake

This image is interesting because it shows the Australian War Memorial and Old Parliament House, without our beloved lake between them. Lake Burley Griffin is an artificial lake, and it was inaugurated on 17 October 1964 by Prime Minister Robert Menzies.3 So when was this Photo taken ?

SOUTH CANBERRA

Construction of the suburb of Isaacs

This is a stunning visual display of the development of a suburb, and truly exemplifies the nickname of Canberra being the bush Capital. Isaacs is a suburb in Woden, named after the politician, Sir Isaac Isaacs (1855-1948).4

Chisholm Group Centre

Chisholm is named after the 19th century advocate for female immigrants and family welfare, Caroline Chisholm; the street theme for this particular suburb is notable woman.5 The suburb of Chisholm was established in 1982, and within 5 years the Chisholm Group Centre was developed. The above image was taken in May 1986. This site can be called many names, it was first known as the Chisholm Group Centre, is now known as the Chisholm Village, however locals refer to is as the Chisholm Shops.

Construction of Tuggeranong Town Centre

Tuggeranong Town Centre - Tuggeranong Creek dam wall under development

This picture of the site for the Tuggeranong Town Centre was taken in 1986. You can see here that Lake Tuggeranong is missing from the landscape, as are many of Tuggeranong's most familiar features. The lake was not established until 1986.6 The Tuggeranong Creek dam wall was constructed in 1988, and Tuggeranong Skate Park in 1990. Tuggeranong Town Park was officially opened to the public in 1995, and the Lakeside Leisure Centre was constructed in 1992.

NORTH CANBERRA

Cockington Green Gardens

A one of a kind attraction in Canberra, Cockington Green Gardens is a paradise for fans of the miniature. A local, family-run business that spans four generations, it was established on 3rd November 1979.7 This image shows that the gardens were notably smaller than those seen today.

Jamison Pool in the suburb of Macquarie

As the only outdoor water park in Canberra 'Jammo Pool' aka Big Splash Water Park was completed and open for access in 1976.8 The above photo was taken on February 1988. This image shows the iconic splash tower with the wrap around slides that had the kids entertained for hours.

Aerial View of GIO Stadium Canberra/Bruce Sports Stadium

Established in 1977 and universally known as Bruce Stadium, The GIO Stadium remains an important landmark for the Canberra community. This image showcases the 1985 redevelopment that was completed to support the World Cup Athletic Games.9

Fish Lens Photo of Lake Burley Griffin and London Circuit

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References

1Australia-American Memorial and Sir Thomas Blamey Square, retrieved from https://www.nca.gov.au/australian-american-memorial-and-sir-thomas-blamey-square

2The Australian-American Memorial, retrieved from https://visitcanberra.com.au/attractions/56b23b72d270154b4553c4df/the-australian-american-memorial

3Lake Burley Griffin – An Independent Guide: History, retrieved from https://www.lakeburleygriffin.com.au/history.html

4Issacs, Australian Capital Territory, retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaacs,_Australian_Capital_Territory

5Archives ACT Finding aid: Suburbs and their name, retrieved from https://www.archives.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/562640/Suburbs_and_their_names.pdf

6Tuggeranong Community Council, retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/4ctk5uax

7Cocking Green Gardens: History, retrieved from https://cockingtongreen.com.au/history/

8Belconnen Community: Belconnen’s History, retrieved from https://www.belconnen.org.au/belhist.htm

9GIO Stadium Canberra: History, retrieved from https://giostadiumcanberra.com.au/about-gio-stadium/history/

Images

  1. ArchivesACT: 5810 - Aerial View of New Parliament House/Old Parliament House (Provisional)/ Federation Mall/State Circle/Commonwealth Avenue Bridge/ Kings Avenue Bridge/Lake Burley Griffin/ National Library of Australia/ High Court of Australia/ City Hill/Civic/ANZAC Parade/ Old Royal Canberra Hospital, n.d
  2. ArchivesACT: 602 - Aerial view of Canberra looking South from War Memorial, 27 June 1968
  3. ArchivesACT: 729 - Black Mountain Tower/ Captain Cook Fountain/ Lake Burley Griffin/Australian-American Memorial "The Eagle"/Blamey Square/ Old Defence Buildings/ National Library of Australia, n.d
  4. ArchivesACT: 573 - Aerial View of Australian War Memorial /Old Parliament House (Provisional) House/ Campbell/ Reid, n.d
  5. ArchivesACT: 6724 - Issacs Isaacs under development, 1987
  6. ArchivesACT: 5295 - Aerial view of Chisholm Group Centre/ Chisholm Village Shopping Centre, May 1986
  7. ArchivesACT: 5287 - Aerial view of Tuggeranong Town Centre, May 1986
  8. ArchivesACT: 962 - Aerial View of Tuggeranong Town Centre/Oxley, February 1988
  9. ArchivesACT: 891 - Aerial View of Cockington Green Gardens/Gold Creek Road/ Barton Highway, n.d
  10. ArchivesACT: 829 - Aerial View of Jamison Oval/ Southern Cross Tennis Courts/ Big Splash Waterpark/Macquarie Swimming Pool/ Halloran Cl/ Bowman St/ Catchpole St, February 1988
  11. ArchivesACT: 834 - Aerial View of GIO Stadium Canberra/Bruce Sports Stadium, February 1988
  12. ArchivesACT: 5811 - Aerial View of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge/ Lake Burley Griffin/ National Library of Australia/City Hill/Civic/ANZAC Parade/ Old Royal Canberra Hospital/Acton Peninsula, n.d

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