Previous October Find of the Month

Find of the Month October 2023

Leisure in the Bush Capital

Fig 1. ACT3-7030  Sunbathing at Kambah Pool, Circa 1985.

With the arrival of warmer weather, we have been contemplating some of the pleasures of Canberra in summer. Canberrans often talk about our affection for the waterways, mountains, bushland and parks in and around our suburbs. While many people love to road cycle, mountain bike, orienteer, hike and run around the ACT, we are in favour of experiencing nature at a more relaxed pace. For example, having a barbecue or picnic with friends or family, swimming, playing games, or reading a book.

Fig. 2. ACT3-7015 Children Swimming in a river, circa 1985.

Fig. 3. ACT3-7055 People swimming in a river, circa 1985.

Recently, ArchivesACT digitised some negatives from the Office of the Surveyor General photograph collection that show people at leisure in and near Canberra. These images often lack original title and date information, but we think that most or all appear to be taken in the 1980s. Please get in touch if you have any suggestions or corrections.

For those who want to delve further into this subject, previous Finds of the Month have covered some related topics, including nature based tourism (March 2016) and Tidbinbilla Fauna Reserve (September 2022). There are also many ACT Government records that document recreation policy and the management of specific sites. For example:

  • ACT Heritage Unit – Correspondence files (ACT9), including files relating to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Googong Foreshores Reserve and Woods Reserve
  • Tourism & Recreation Branch – Correspondence files (ACT11), including a Heritage Committee file on the Murrumbidgee River Valley and a City Parks Administration file on National Estate Areas in the ACT
  • The Office of the Surveyor General photographic collection (ACT3), including more photographs of natural recreation sites which have not yet been digitised
  • Correspondence files of the Legislative Assembly and House of Assembly (pre Self Government) (ACT24), including files relating to the Standing Committee on Development & Planning - Inquiry into Golf Courses & Murrumbidgee River

As we write, Canberrans, along with many other Australians, are about to enjoy a long weekend for Labour Day. It might be the perfect time to get to know somewhere new (see Find a park), or return to a long-time favourite place to relax and restore ourselves in preparation for the final part of the year.

Fig. 4. ACT3-2125 Kambah Pool , January 1987.

Fig 5.ACT3-6986 Barbeque in a park (probably Weston Park), circa 1985.

Fig. 6. ACT3-7064 A game of cricket in a park, circa 1985.

Fig. 7. ACT3-7060 People picnicking with a view of Black Mountain Tower, circa 1985.

Fig. 8. ACT3-7098 Picnic and children playing in a park, circa 1985.

Fig. 9. ACT3-6882 Soccer game on the banks of the Cotter, circa 1985

Fig. 10. ACT3-2130 Cotter Reserve, January 1987

Images

Fig 1. ACT3-7030  Sunbathing at Kambah Pool, Circa 1985

Fig. 2. ACT3-7015 Children Swimming in a river, circa 1985.

Fig. 3. ACT3-7055 People swimming in a river, circa 1985.

Fig. 4. ACT3-2125 Kambah Pool , January 1987

Fig. 5. ACT3-6986 Barbeque in a park (probably Weston Park), circa 1985

Fig. 6. ACT3-7064 A game of cricket in a park, circa 1985

Fig. 7. ACT3-7060 People picnicking with a view of Black Mountain Tower, circa 1985

Fig. 8. ACT3-7098 Picnic and children playing in a park, circa 1985

Fig. 9. ACT3-6882 Soccer game on the banks of the Cotter, circa 1985

Fig. 10. ACT3-2130 Cotter Reserve, January 1987

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