Dave\'s ACT
Urban Exploration of The Australian Capital Territory. The ACT has a rich history both before and after federation and this blog explores this history.
Articles
CANBERRA HIGHLAND SOCIETY
2010-06-10 07:39:03
The Scots, as everywhere in the world they have migrated to, heavily influenced the history of the Australian Capital Territory. From it's earliest settlers and labouring convicts who left their mark with substantial stone homes, dairys, barns, cottages and walls having established the agricultural enterprises that shaped a future settlement and eventually the national capital of Australia. Image Wikipedia commons (here) Soon after the absentee squatter Moore established 'Canberry' station on the 'Limestone plains' (present day Canberra) the Scot Robert Campbell (1769 - 1846) (bio here), a Sydney merchant, was granted land nearby and sent his man James Ainsley (post here), a Scot, to establish the 5000 acre (2023 hectare)'Duntroon Estate' (post here) in 1825. Campbell's land grant was called 'Piallago' but Campbell named it Duntroon after the ancestral home of the Campbells in Argyllshire, Scotland (link here). The Campbells were once the most powerful
2010-06-10 07:39:03
The Scots, as everywhere in the world they have migrated to, heavily influenced the history of the Australian Capital Territory. From it's earliest settlers and labouring convicts who left their mark with substantial stone homes, dairys, barns, cottages and walls having established the agricultural enterprises that shaped a future settlement and eventually the national capital of Australia. Image Wikipedia commons (here) Soon after the absentee squatter Moore established 'Canberry' station on the 'Limestone plains' (present day Canberra) the Scot Robert Campbell (1769 - 1846) (bio here), a Sydney merchant, was granted land nearby and sent his man James Ainsley (post here), a Scot, to establish the 5000 acre (2023 hectare)'Duntroon Estate' (post here) in 1825. Campbell's land grant was called 'Piallago' but Campbell named it Duntroon after the ancestral home of the Campbells in Argyllshire, Scotland (link here). The Campbells were once the most powerful
ISABELLA'S PLAIN
2010-06-10 04:59:35
The large tract of suburbia that is Isabella Plains in the modern day Canberra's satellite town of Tuggeranong was upon initial European discovery known as Isabella's Plain. The Governor of the Colony of New South Wales at the time of the area now known as the Australian Territory's discovery was Sir Thomas Brisbane (1773-1860)(bio here). Before the discovery of 'Isabella's Plain' there had been three expeditions to the area, each inching closer to the Murrumbidgee River and 'the Manaroo' (Monaro)(post here), Throsby's expedition to Lake George, Throsby-Smith (Thosby's nephew) who opened up the 'Gunderoo Plains' and Kearns' discovery of the junction of the Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers (Queanbeyan). Throsby-Smith on his expedition, as he surveyed the Gunderoo Plain recorded 'It is the finest country ‘as ever was seen' and on Kearns' that the ‘Friday Plains’ were the 'finest plains they had seen, a beautiful stock run for both winter and summer'. Click the clipping to enlarge.
2010-06-10 04:59:35
The large tract of suburbia that is Isabella Plains in the modern day Canberra's satellite town of Tuggeranong was upon initial European discovery known as Isabella's Plain. The Governor of the Colony of New South Wales at the time of the area now known as the Australian Territory's discovery was Sir Thomas Brisbane (1773-1860)(bio here). Before the discovery of 'Isabella's Plain' there had been three expeditions to the area, each inching closer to the Murrumbidgee River and 'the Manaroo' (Monaro)(post here), Throsby's expedition to Lake George, Throsby-Smith (Thosby's nephew) who opened up the 'Gunderoo Plains' and Kearns' discovery of the junction of the Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers (Queanbeyan). Throsby-Smith on his expedition, as he surveyed the Gunderoo Plain recorded 'It is the finest country ‘as ever was seen' and on Kearns' that the ‘Friday Plains’ were the 'finest plains they had seen, a beautiful stock run for both winter and summer'. Click the clipping to enlarge.
COLLECTOR BRIDGE
2010-06-09 22:10:06
Near Lake George to the north of the Australian Capital Territory in the State of NSW is the sleepy little, nearly forgotten town of Collector. The Bushranger Hotel once known as the Commercial Hotel and before that as Kimberley’s Inn, in Collector is famous for it's colonial stone building, memorabilia, publican and her association with the notorious bushranger Ben Hall (1837-1865)(bio here). Click the clipping to enlarge The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 24 September 1909 Even though I love the history of Collector and have had numerous beers at the local hotel over the years, it has always been a little out of my 'Limits of Location'. This morning I awoke to an e-mail asking for assistance in lobbying to save a local landmark in the nearby town of Collector in bordering New South Wales. I went to the town and looked at the bridge and was left wondering, is the Collector Bridge just another ‘old’ structure well past it’s use by date? Or is it a small
2010-06-09 22:10:06
Near Lake George to the north of the Australian Capital Territory in the State of NSW is the sleepy little, nearly forgotten town of Collector. The Bushranger Hotel once known as the Commercial Hotel and before that as Kimberley’s Inn, in Collector is famous for it's colonial stone building, memorabilia, publican and her association with the notorious bushranger Ben Hall (1837-1865)(bio here). Click the clipping to enlarge The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 24 September 1909 Even though I love the history of Collector and have had numerous beers at the local hotel over the years, it has always been a little out of my 'Limits of Location'. This morning I awoke to an e-mail asking for assistance in lobbying to save a local landmark in the nearby town of Collector in bordering New South Wales. I went to the town and looked at the bridge and was left wondering, is the Collector Bridge just another ‘old’ structure well past it’s use by date? Or is it a small
RED HILL SCARRED TREE
2010-06-08 22:50:43
Aboriginal scarred trees are old, at least 100 years of age and up to the life span of the species of tree, which can be more than 500 years. Surviving scarred trees are relatively rare owing to the land clearing practices of early European settlers, destruction during bushfire and loss through natural attrition. As scarred trees are not very common they are assigned a much higher significance in the ACT than they may be elsewhere in the country. I have a more comprehensive post about Aboriginal scarred trees in the Australian Capital Territory (here). Red Hill Aboriginal scarred tree 4/6/2010 This one could have made an Aboriginal vessel called a 'coolamon'. Coolamons were traditionally used by Aboriginal women to carry water, fruits, seeds, nuts and to cradle babies.(Wikipedia here) I was actually out looking for a small, disused colonial Quarry, supposedly located on the western slopes of Red Hill that I have found references to, and had given up for the day
2010-06-08 22:50:43
Aboriginal scarred trees are old, at least 100 years of age and up to the life span of the species of tree, which can be more than 500 years. Surviving scarred trees are relatively rare owing to the land clearing practices of early European settlers, destruction during bushfire and loss through natural attrition. As scarred trees are not very common they are assigned a much higher significance in the ACT than they may be elsewhere in the country. I have a more comprehensive post about Aboriginal scarred trees in the Australian Capital Territory (here). Red Hill Aboriginal scarred tree 4/6/2010 This one could have made an Aboriginal vessel called a 'coolamon'. Coolamons were traditionally used by Aboriginal women to carry water, fruits, seeds, nuts and to cradle babies.(Wikipedia here) I was actually out looking for a small, disused colonial Quarry, supposedly located on the western slopes of Red Hill that I have found references to, and had given up for the day
NAMING OF CANBERRA
2010-06-06 05:18:14
On the 12th of March 1913 on Kurrajong Hill (Capital Hill), Baroness Gertrude Mary Denman (1884 – 1954)(bio here) officially named the new Federal Capital city of Australia, Canberra. There had been some speculation as to what to call the new city. The residents of the 'Limestone Plains' were even in confusion as to the correct Aboriginal name of the plains their families had settled in the early 1820's. After acquiring land on the Limestone Plains the original settler of Canberra, Joshua John Moore (1790-1864)(bio here) had an overseer and convicts establish a sheep station in 1824. He named the property 'Canberry', 'Canbury' or Kamberry (post here) after the name that was told to him the area was called by local Aboriginals. Government records of the period indicate Moore's property as 'Canberry', Limestone Plains, Murray Shire. Canberry was the European interpretation of the Aboriginal name for the 'Limestone Plains' and finally after much squabbling by anthropologi
2010-06-06 05:18:14
On the 12th of March 1913 on Kurrajong Hill (Capital Hill), Baroness Gertrude Mary Denman (1884 – 1954)(bio here) officially named the new Federal Capital city of Australia, Canberra. There had been some speculation as to what to call the new city. The residents of the 'Limestone Plains' were even in confusion as to the correct Aboriginal name of the plains their families had settled in the early 1820's. After acquiring land on the Limestone Plains the original settler of Canberra, Joshua John Moore (1790-1864)(bio here) had an overseer and convicts establish a sheep station in 1824. He named the property 'Canberry', 'Canbury' or Kamberry (post here) after the name that was told to him the area was called by local Aboriginals. Government records of the period indicate Moore's property as 'Canberry', Limestone Plains, Murray Shire. Canberry was the European interpretation of the Aboriginal name for the 'Limestone Plains' and finally after much squabbling by anthropologi
KING GEORGE V
2010-06-06 00:12:52
During Australia's involvement in World War I over 330,000 patriotic Australians loyal to the British monarchy went into battle for their 'King and Country'. In front of Canberra's Provisional Parliament House (Australian Museum of Democracy) in the Australian Capital Territory is a stone and bronze monument to King George V. The future King of England, Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1865-1936)(bio here) was born to King Edward VII (bio here) and Queen Alexandra of Denmark (bio here) in 1865. Being the second son of the King it was not likely that George would ever ascend the throne of the British Empire. George chose the life of a professional naval officer and with his fathers approval he served in the Royal Navy from the age of 12. George first visited Australia when serving with the Royal Navy with his elder brother Prince Albert aboard the HMS Bacchante in 1880. He married Mary, the daughter of the Duke of Teck in 1893 and had four sons including Edward
2010-06-06 00:12:52
During Australia's involvement in World War I over 330,000 patriotic Australians loyal to the British monarchy went into battle for their 'King and Country'. In front of Canberra's Provisional Parliament House (Australian Museum of Democracy) in the Australian Capital Territory is a stone and bronze monument to King George V. The future King of England, Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1865-1936)(bio here) was born to King Edward VII (bio here) and Queen Alexandra of Denmark (bio here) in 1865. Being the second son of the King it was not likely that George would ever ascend the throne of the British Empire. George chose the life of a professional naval officer and with his fathers approval he served in the Royal Navy from the age of 12. George first visited Australia when serving with the Royal Navy with his elder brother Prince Albert aboard the HMS Bacchante in 1880. He married Mary, the daughter of the Duke of Teck in 1893 and had four sons including Edward
CALTHORPES' HOUSE
2010-06-04 19:50:12
John Henry (Harry) Calthorpe (1890-1950) was a Gallipoli veteran (info here) and founding partner of Canberra’s first real estate agent, Calthorpe and Woodgers Ltd. On 12 December 1924 Calthorpe and Woodgers handled the sale of the first business and residential leases in the new city of Canberra. One of these blocks was to become the Calthorpe family home. In 1927 a local architect Kenneth Oliphant (1896-1975)(bio here) accepted his first commission for a design in his own company's name and established a service that he continued in Canberra until his retirement in the late 1960's . The Canberra House website has an excellent article about him (here). Calthorpes' House was constructed the same year and became Number 24 Mugga Way, Red Hill, Canberra. Harry and Della Calthorpe (1892-1979), two daughters (Dell 8 and Dawn 3) and a maid moved in and the two girls grew up and got married. Harry lived there until he died aged 59 in 1950. Della remained until he
2010-06-04 19:50:12
John Henry (Harry) Calthorpe (1890-1950) was a Gallipoli veteran (info here) and founding partner of Canberra’s first real estate agent, Calthorpe and Woodgers Ltd. On 12 December 1924 Calthorpe and Woodgers handled the sale of the first business and residential leases in the new city of Canberra. One of these blocks was to become the Calthorpe family home. In 1927 a local architect Kenneth Oliphant (1896-1975)(bio here) accepted his first commission for a design in his own company's name and established a service that he continued in Canberra until his retirement in the late 1960's . The Canberra House website has an excellent article about him (here). Calthorpes' House was constructed the same year and became Number 24 Mugga Way, Red Hill, Canberra. Harry and Della Calthorpe (1892-1979), two daughters (Dell 8 and Dawn 3) and a maid moved in and the two girls grew up and got married. Harry lived there until he died aged 59 in 1950. Della remained until he
MOUNT AINSLIE
2010-06-03 09:19:44
Mount Ainslie and the Canberra suburb of Ainslie are namesakes of James Ainslie a Scottish pastoralist. He was the first overseer of the property known as 'Duntroon' (here) in todays Australian Capital Territory. I cannot find a birth or death date for him. The only dates I can find relate to those of the Duntroon Estate, that being the property was established in 1825 by Robert Campbell's shephard James Ainlie. Robert Cambell did not reside on the Property for some years after it's establishment by Ainslie. The Canberra Times, 30 April 1954 In a twelve year period Ainslie increased the size of the Duntroon Estate sheep flock from 700 to 20,000. He is reported to have lived in a relationship with an Aboriginal woman and that she bore him a daughter called 'Nanny'. Around 1835, following his years at Duntroon he returned to Scotland. His activities after this date are unknown. Today Mount Ainslie, in my opinion overlooks one of the most magn
2010-06-03 09:19:44
Mount Ainslie and the Canberra suburb of Ainslie are namesakes of James Ainslie a Scottish pastoralist. He was the first overseer of the property known as 'Duntroon' (here) in todays Australian Capital Territory. I cannot find a birth or death date for him. The only dates I can find relate to those of the Duntroon Estate, that being the property was established in 1825 by Robert Campbell's shephard James Ainlie. Robert Cambell did not reside on the Property for some years after it's establishment by Ainslie. The Canberra Times, 30 April 1954 In a twelve year period Ainslie increased the size of the Duntroon Estate sheep flock from 700 to 20,000. He is reported to have lived in a relationship with an Aboriginal woman and that she bore him a daughter called 'Nanny'. Around 1835, following his years at Duntroon he returned to Scotland. His activities after this date are unknown. Today Mount Ainslie, in my opinion overlooks one of the most magn
THE ALBERT HALL
2010-06-02 05:09:52
Until 1928 the population of Canberra had only one venue for entertainment, the Causeway hall (post here). The new City of Canberra's population soon far exceeded the capacity of the Causeway Hall. In July 1927 construction of the 'Assembly Hall' commenced and the Albert Hall was born. The Albert Hall is an elegant example of the ‘Federal Capital’ style of architecture of the 1920s. The Albert Hall's notable features are the arch-headed windows, the pillars and the Roman tiled roof. The Hall seats 580 in the auditorium and 128 in the gallery. Once called the Assembly Hall, it was renamed the Albert Hall when opened on the 10th of March 1928 by Prime Minister SM Bruce (1883-1967)(bio here) and was named to honour Albert, Duke of York, who opened Federal Parliament in 1927. The hall was also compared culturally to the Royal Albert Hall in London (website here). Apart from being an entertainment and cultural venue the hall also hosted Australia’s first
2010-06-02 05:09:52
Until 1928 the population of Canberra had only one venue for entertainment, the Causeway hall (post here). The new City of Canberra's population soon far exceeded the capacity of the Causeway Hall. In July 1927 construction of the 'Assembly Hall' commenced and the Albert Hall was born. The Albert Hall is an elegant example of the ‘Federal Capital’ style of architecture of the 1920s. The Albert Hall's notable features are the arch-headed windows, the pillars and the Roman tiled roof. The Hall seats 580 in the auditorium and 128 in the gallery. Once called the Assembly Hall, it was renamed the Albert Hall when opened on the 10th of March 1928 by Prime Minister SM Bruce (1883-1967)(bio here) and was named to honour Albert, Duke of York, who opened Federal Parliament in 1927. The hall was also compared culturally to the Royal Albert Hall in London (website here). Apart from being an entertainment and cultural venue the hall also hosted Australia’s first
MOUNT TAYLOR
2010-06-01 23:52:10
Another early squatter in today's Australian Capital Territory was a man named James Taylor who, with his partner Robert Johnson established a 'sheep run' on the Molonglo River before 1827. Mount Taylor in the Woden Valley (post here) and Weston Creek area's now bears the name of the early squatter James Taylor. More is known about Johnston than Taylor but one would assume as pastoral partners their situations would be similar. Johnston came from a privileged background being the son-in-law of Colonel George Johnston (1764 - 1823)(bio here) the commander of the New South Wales Corps (info here). He had land at Lake George as well as the Limestone Plains and was involved in a criminal case against some of his convicts. Sheep in a 'bush' yard. It appears that the squatters Taylor and Johnston and their flocks (post here) in the early days of the 'Limestone plains' were transient. They moved from area to area with no boundarys apart from those dictated by the shepherd an
2010-06-01 23:52:10
Another early squatter in today's Australian Capital Territory was a man named James Taylor who, with his partner Robert Johnson established a 'sheep run' on the Molonglo River before 1827. Mount Taylor in the Woden Valley (post here) and Weston Creek area's now bears the name of the early squatter James Taylor. More is known about Johnston than Taylor but one would assume as pastoral partners their situations would be similar. Johnston came from a privileged background being the son-in-law of Colonel George Johnston (1764 - 1823)(bio here) the commander of the New South Wales Corps (info here). He had land at Lake George as well as the Limestone Plains and was involved in a criminal case against some of his convicts. Sheep in a 'bush' yard. It appears that the squatters Taylor and Johnston and their flocks (post here) in the early days of the 'Limestone plains' were transient. They moved from area to area with no boundarys apart from those dictated by the shepherd an