February 2021

Ephemera Fun

Brochures, booklets and leaflets on the ACT

Figure 1 - Cover art: Lake Burley Griffin tourist brochure

ArchivesACT holds a series of brochures, booklets and leaflets that were produced as a public information service for Canberrans and tourists visiting the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). These were produced by agencies responsible for the administration of the ACT and promoting its attractions to the rest of Australia. The information contained in the publications encompass a wide range of subject matter. Subjects such as tourist information, notes on conservation, leaflets on the Botanical Gardens and nature reserves and tips on suitable plants and their care are covered. An index to these government brochures can be downloaded from our website to help find particular brochures of interest. They not only include a wealth of information, including past social attitudes, but also document how the design of the brochures have changed over time. A selection of these records make up our February Find of the Month.

Figure 2 - Cover of 1951 handbook and page recreation facilities

Well before the idea of an internet search engine was even thought of, the Department of the Interior produced handbooks each year to inform Canberra residents of community and government services. The publication was a handy quick reference guide. Included in the early editions were sections on bus, emergency and health services, churches, community organisations and recreation clubs, as well as many others. In 1951, options for shopping were rather limited compared to today’s standards. Apart from general stores, there were three main shopping centres with ‘one on the north side of the city and two on the south side. The shopping centre at City (popularly known as Civic Centre) serves the northern side and centres at Manuka and Kingston serve the southern side’ [i]

Figure 3 - Cover page and tips for pedestrians

The Department of the Interior also prepared a booklet about road rules. According to the introduction the growth of Canberra was ‘bringing more and more cars on to the roads each year… while traffic authorities in the National Capital can plan ahead for traffic needs, no one can plan the motorist. At the time this booklet was produced, motorists could signal their intention to stop or to turn either by hand signals ‘or by approved signalling devices such as mechanical arms, signal arms or flashing lights’. A section for cyclists advised that it is dangerous and illegal to:

• Ride without at least one hand on the handlebars
• Ride without both feet on pedals
• Hold on to or ride close behind another vehicle
• Ride more than two abreast
• Weave from side to side in traffic ⁱⁱ.

Figure 4 - Cover page and example page

The above is a nice example of a small booklet targeted at school children to explain that the police force is there to help them. It mainly used illustrations to demonstrate the work that police officers do, giving examples of the type of vehicles police officers might use, where they work and typical jobs they get involved in [i].

Figure 5 - Lake Burley Griffin tourist brochure Inset

This tourist brochure encouraged visitors to take advantage of the outdoor activities and facilities offered by the waters and foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin. Excavation for the lake and the construction of Scrivenor Dam began in 1960 and the on the dam were closed in September 1963. Due to a prolonged drought, it wasn’t until April 1964 that the lake reached the planned water level [i]. This must have been one of the first brochures printed to promote the attractions of the lake. More information about the lake is provided on the National Capital Authority's website.

These two pamphlets were issued when Belconnen was in its early stages of development. The urban development of the Belconnen district started with the suburb of Aranda in 1966 and the first commercial centre, the Jamison Centre, opened in 1969. The 2016 census estimated the population of the Belconnen district to be 96,049 [i].

The Canberra Tourist Bureau produced this brochure for Canberra visitors that brought their accommodation with them. The Motor Village in O’Connor, Eastham’s South-Side Motor Park in Symonston and Canberra Lakes Carotel in Watson are three of the parks listed, all earning a ‘****Standard’ rating. Tariffs for a caravan site were all around $3 per night that included the use of hot and cold showers.

Ready to start your own research?

Contact us through our Request a Record service and we will be happy to help.

File References

• ArchivesACT: RTA-456: PUBLICATION - Production - Master Copies - Commonwealth Series A7411/2 - Canberra Sightseeing Guide.
• ArchivesACT: RTA-457: PUBLICATION - Production - Master Copies - Commonwealth Series A7411/1 - DCT Systems Branch Rates System Proposal - Your Rates & the Municipal Budget.
• ArchivesACT: RTA-456: PUBLICATION - Production - Master Copies - Commonwealth Series A7411/2 - Canberra Sightseeing Guide 1981 - Jervis Bay Territory.
• ArchivesACT: RTA-459: PUBLICATION - Production - Master Copies - Commonwealth Series A7411/2 - Keeping Safe in the Bush - Orchard Notes 1966.

References

^I ArchivesACT, RTA-456 - Handbook of Services ACT 1951.

ⁱⁱ ArchivesACT, RTA-456 - Driving in the ACT.

ⁱⁱⁱ ArchivesACT, RTA-459 - My Friend the Policeman.

^iv Wikipedia: Lake Burley Griffin. Retrieved: 25 January 2021.

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_Burley_Griffin&oldid=1001270958

^v Wikipedia: Belconnen. Retrieved: 25 January 2021.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belconnen

^vi ArchivesACT - RTA-458 - Canberra: for Romantics 1982.

File Readers/Viewers

If you do not already have compatible software on your computer, free file readers/viewers can be downloaded from the following links.

• PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader
• PPS files require Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer
• XLS files require Microsoft Excel Viewer