NT-09-2009 [acton].indd 1 [acton].indd NT-09-2009 23/9/09 11:32:25 PM 11:32:25 23/9/09

Black Mountain Black • Collection. Times Library, Heritage ACT the of Courtesy • • Dr (design) Brainstorm tudio S (research) Dowling Peter

ublishers wish to acknowledge: to wish ublishers p The

Commonwealth Ave Bridge Ave Commonwealth • Collection. Times Canberra Library, Heritage ACT the of Courtesy

The Shine Dome Shine The • Courtesy of the ACT Heritage Library, ACT Administration Collection. Administration ACT Library, Heritage ACT the of Courtesy

www.nationaltrustact.org.au

02 6230 0533 6230 02

Civic Square ACT 2608 ACT Square Civic

PO Box 1144 1144 Box PO

Contact: National Trust of (ACT) Australia of Trust National Contact:

© Copyright 2009 ACT Government ACT 2009 Copyright ©

ACT Government to update and reprint the tour. tour. the reprint and update to Government ACT

Further funding was given by the the by given was funding Further

ACT Government under the ACT Heritage Grants Program. Program. Grants Heritage ACT the under Government ACT

assisted through funding made available by the the by available made funding through assisted

This project was originally originally was project This

University

A SELF-GUIDED TOUR SELF-GUIDED A ustralian National National ustralian A 21.

lack Mountain lack B 20.

anberra School of Music of School anberra C 19.

cton House cton A 18.

A heritage tour of tour heritage A he Shine Dome Shine he T 17.

ational Film and Sound Archive Sound and Film ational N 16.

an Potter House Potter an I 15.

ld Canberra House Canberra ld O 14.

ennox House Complex House ennox L 13.

cton Houses cton A 12.

ullivan’s Creek ullivan’s S 11.

& 10. Springbank Island Springbank 10. & 9

8. The Pregnant Pine Pregnant The 8.

ACTON

7. European Tree Plantings Tree European 7.

6. Remnant Indigenous Vegetation Indigenous Remnant 6.

5. National Museum of Australia of Museum National 5.

4. Acton Geological Site Geological Acton 4.

3. Acton Park by the the by Park Acton 3.

2. Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Avenue Commonwealth 2.

1. Lake Burley Griffin Burley Lake 1.

ACTON

LISTED PLACES IN IN PLACES LISTED

1. 4. ACTON GEOLOGICAL SITE When Charles Scrivener defined the site of the present capital in West Basin, Acton Peninsula. his 1909 survey he foresaw an ornamental lake next to the city. Low outcrops of dark grey, recrystallised limestone occur along a Walter Burley Griffin took up this concept in his 1911 plan for the 100 metre stretch of Lake Burley Griffin foreshore just north of the capital and proposed a lake which formed a water axis dividing National Museum of Australia. The term ‘Limestone Plains’ figures the parliamentary zone from the commercial centre. But the prominently in early descriptions of the Canberra region and it lake proposal had to contend with a host of critics and doubters, is most likely this outcrop, and others that are now submerged monetary restrictions, several planning changes and insistence by by the waters of the Lake, from which the term originates. The Prime Minister Menzies before work began. It was not until April 1964, when the meanders of the were flooded by the limestone was formed by the accumulation of shells from small construction of the Scrivener , that the lake as we know it today marine animals approximately 420 million years ago when the was finally formed. It is now a focal point for the capital. area was covered by a warm, shallow sea. At this time there was The suburb of Acton was an abundance of life in this sea indicated by the presence of fossil trilobites and corals in the sediments that were formed. Life on land gazetted in September 1928, 2. was just beginning in the form of land plants colonising the water COMMONWEALTH AVE margins. The outcrop is the only accessible, clear and continuing making it one of Canberra’s exposure of limestone in the suburban part of Canberra. first suburbs. The name BRIDGE Commonwealth Avenue ‘Acton’ was given to the 5. Commonwealth Avenue Bridge marks the eastern boundary grazing property situated in of Acton. It is one of two bridges crossing Lake Burley Griffin. NATIONAL MUSEUM the area of Molonglo River Construction began in March 1961, before the Lake was formed, and OF AUSTRALIA it was opened to traffic in November 1963. From any viewpoint its and by seemingly simple construction can be considered to be an excellent Acton Peninsula. Lieutenant Arthur Jeffreys RN, example of skilled engineering blended with a high level of aesthetic The National Museum of Australia was opened in 2001 to quality and form. These qualities were noted by the Prime Minister, commemorate Australia’s centenary of federation. The Museum in 1843. Acton, bordering Sir , during a ceremony marking the inauguration tells the story of Australia. It has been developed to research Lake Burley Griffin, Black of the Lake in October 1964 when he described the bridge as ‘the Australian history, develop and maintain a national collection finest building in the National Capital’. Notice how the bridge is of historical material and to create exhibitions and programs Mountain and the central aligned with Capital Hill and City Hill and how it forms the western exploring our cultures, heritage and history. The museum’s business district of Canberra, boundary of the Parliamentary Triangle. It is worth making the effort programs and exhibitions are based on three main themes to drive or walk underneath the approaches of the bridge to see the presented in specific galleries: Aboriginal and Torres Strait contains many early blocks of granite. These were taken from London’s old Waterloo Islander cultures and history; Australian society and history Bridge across the Thames and presented to Australia to exemplify since 1788; and the interaction of people with the Australian historical places as well as the historic links in the British Commonwealth of Nations. environment. Allow several hours for your visit. the large precincts of the Australian National University 3. 6. and the National ACTON PARK REMNANT Museum of Australia. BY THE LAKE INDIGENOUS VEGATATION Access can be gained either from Commonwealth Avenue or the South western corner of the Peninsula within the footbridge over leading from Acton House. grounds of the National Museum. It is worth taking a stroll through this park which follows the Before the arrival of Europeans the vegetation of the Acton area foreshore of the West Basin between Commonwealth Avenue Bridge consisted mainly of open grasslands dominated by Kangaroo and the National Museum of Australia. You will be rewarded with grass. The low lying plains of the Molonglo River were subjected a view of the museum buildings rising from Acton Peninsula, Black to cold air drainage which induced frost hollows and created a Mountain and its landmark tower, New Parliament House and micro-climate that inhibited tree growth. However, some isolated flag pole, and the buildings of Yarralumla emerging from the trees. pockets of unusually favourable soil and ground water conditions For the more adventurous there are bikes to be hired which can did support large Eucalyptus trees particularly in the south western be ridden at a sedate pace around the foreshore, or hired boats to corner of the Peninsula. The trees are estimated to be between 150 peddle, paddle and sail on the lake. and 250 years old. Other prominent native species in the Acton area is the Ribbon Gum but these were planted during the 1960s as part of the landscape development of the Lake foreshores.

NT-09-2009 [acton].indd 1 [acton].indd NT-09-2009 23/9/09 11:32:25 PM 11:32:25 23/9/09

Black Mountain Black • Collection. Times Canberra Library, Heritage ACT the of Courtesy • • Dr (design) Brainstorm tudio S (research) Dowling Peter

ublishers wish to acknowledge: to wish ublishers p The

Commonwealth Ave Bridge Ave Commonwealth • Collection. Times Canberra Library, Heritage ACT the of Courtesy

The Shine Dome Shine The • Courtesy of the ACT Heritage Library, ACT Administration Collection. Administration ACT Library, Heritage ACT the of Courtesy

www.nationaltrustact.org.au

02 6230 0533 6230 02

Civic Square ACT 2608 ACT Square Civic

PO Box 1144 1144 Box PO

Contact: National Trust of Australia (ACT) Australia of Trust National Contact:

© Copyright 2009 ACT Government ACT 2009 Copyright ©

ACT Government to update and reprint the tour. tour. the reprint and update to Government ACT

Further funding was given by the the by given was funding Further

ACT Government under the ACT Heritage Grants Program. Program. Grants Heritage ACT the under Government ACT

assisted through funding made available by the the by available made funding through assisted

This project was originally originally was project This

University

A SELF-GUIDED TOUR SELF-GUIDED A ustralian National National ustralian A 21.

lack Mountain lack B 20.

anberra School of Music of School anberra C 19.

cton House cton A 18.

A heritage tour of tour heritage A he Shine Dome Shine he T 17.

ational Film and Sound Archive Sound and Film ational N 16.

an Potter House Potter an I 15.

ld Canberra House Canberra ld O 14.

ennox House Complex House ennox L 13.

cton Houses cton A 12.

ullivan’s Creek ullivan’s S 11.

& 10. Springbank Island Springbank 10. & 9

8. The Pregnant Pine Pregnant The 8.

ACTON

7. European Tree Plantings Tree European 7.

6. Remnant Indigenous Vegetation Indigenous Remnant 6.

5. National Museum of Australia of Museum National 5.

4. Acton Geological Site Geological Acton 4.

3. Acton Park by the Lake the by Park Acton 3.

2. Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Avenue Commonwealth 2.

1. Lake Burley Griffin Burley Lake 1.

ACTON

LISTED PLACES IN IN PLACES LISTED

1. 4. LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN ACTON GEOLOGICAL SITE When Charles Scrivener defined the site of the present capital in West Basin, Acton Peninsula. his 1909 survey he foresaw an ornamental lake next to the city. Low outcrops of dark grey, recrystallised limestone occur along a Walter Burley Griffin took up this concept in his 1911 plan for the 100 metre stretch of Lake Burley Griffin foreshore just north of the capital and proposed a lake which formed a water axis dividing National Museum of Australia. The term ‘Limestone Plains’ figures the parliamentary zone from the commercial centre. But the prominently in early descriptions of the Canberra region and it lake proposal had to contend with a host of critics and doubters, is most likely this outcrop, and others that are now submerged monetary restrictions, several planning changes and insistence by by the waters of the Lake, from which the term originates. The Prime Minister Menzies before work began. It was not until April 1964, when the meanders of the Molonglo River were flooded by the limestone was formed by the accumulation of shells from small construction of the , that the lake as we know it today marine animals approximately 420 million years ago when the was finally formed. It is now a focal point for the capital. area was covered by a warm, shallow sea. At this time there was The suburb of Acton was an abundance of life in this sea indicated by the presence of fossil trilobites and corals in the sediments that were formed. Life on land gazetted in September 1928, 2. was just beginning in the form of land plants colonising the water COMMONWEALTH AVE margins. The outcrop is the only accessible, clear and continuing making it one of Canberra’s exposure of limestone in the suburban part of Canberra. first suburbs. The name BRIDGE Commonwealth Avenue ‘Acton’ was given to the 5. Commonwealth Avenue Bridge marks the eastern boundary grazing property situated in of Acton. It is one of two bridges crossing Lake Burley Griffin. NATIONAL MUSEUM the area of Molonglo River Construction began in March 1961, before the Lake was formed, and OF AUSTRALIA it was opened to traffic in November 1963. From any viewpoint its and Sullivans Creek by seemingly simple construction can be considered to be an excellent Acton Peninsula. Lieutenant Arthur Jeffreys RN, example of skilled engineering blended with a high level of aesthetic The National Museum of Australia was opened in 2001 to quality and form. These qualities were noted by the Prime Minister, commemorate Australia’s centenary of federation. The Museum in 1843. Acton, bordering Sir Robert Menzies, during a ceremony marking the inauguration tells the story of Australia. It has been developed to research Lake Burley Griffin, Black of the Lake in October 1964 when he described the bridge as ‘the Australian history, develop and maintain a national collection finest building in the National Capital’. Notice how the bridge is of historical material and to create exhibitions and programs Mountain and the central aligned with Capital Hill and City Hill and how it forms the western exploring our cultures, heritage and history. The museum’s business district of Canberra, boundary of the Parliamentary Triangle. It is worth making the effort programs and exhibitions are based on three main themes to drive or walk underneath the approaches of the bridge to see the presented in specific galleries: Aboriginal and Torres Strait contains many early blocks of granite. These were taken from London’s old Waterloo Islander cultures and history; Australian society and history Bridge across the Thames and presented to Australia to exemplify since 1788; and the interaction of people with the Australian historical places as well as the historic links in the British Commonwealth of Nations. environment. Allow several hours for your visit. the large precincts of the Australian National University 3. 6. and the National ACTON PARK REMNANT Museum of Australia. BY THE LAKE INDIGENOUS VEGATATION Access can be gained either from Commonwealth Avenue or the South western corner of the Peninsula within the footbridge over Parkes Way leading from Acton House. grounds of the National Museum. It is worth taking a stroll through this park which follows the Before the arrival of Europeans the vegetation of the Acton area foreshore of the West Basin between Commonwealth Avenue Bridge consisted mainly of open grasslands dominated by Kangaroo and the National Museum of Australia. You will be rewarded with grass. The low lying plains of the Molonglo River were subjected a view of the museum buildings rising from Acton Peninsula, Black to cold air drainage which induced frost hollows and created a Mountain and its landmark tower, New Parliament House and micro-climate that inhibited tree growth. However, some isolated flag pole, and the buildings of Yarralumla emerging from the trees. pockets of unusually favourable soil and ground water conditions For the more adventurous there are bikes to be hired which can did support large Eucalyptus trees particularly in the south western be ridden at a sedate pace around the foreshore, or hired boats to corner of the Peninsula. The trees are estimated to be between 150 peddle, paddle and sail on the lake. and 250 years old. Other prominent native species in the Acton area is the Ribbon Gum but these were planted during the 1960s as part of the landscape development of the Lake foreshores. 19. CANBERRA SCHOOL OF MUSIC Corner of Childers St. & University Ave. The School of Music is 21 a six-level educational 19 complex located on the 20 edge of the Australian National University. The architectural style is Late Modern/Brutalist which is characterised by its prominent grey, off-form concrete and brick walls, 16 11 reminiscent of the cubist 15 art form, which can be seen 17 as stark and confronting. It is orientated inwards 7. 18 with its performance hall surrounded by EUROPEAN administrative rooms as TREE PLANTINGS a barrier against external noise from the busy streets Throughout the peninsula area. 12 nearby. The building is of During the National Capital’s particular social importance development several tree in Canberra providing a planting projects were 14 4 3 concert hall, Llewellyn 13 undertaken in the Acton Hall, of 1,500 seats and is area. In the early years of 17. considered one of the best development Charles Weston, performance spaces in the government’s botanist, THE SHINE 10 Canberra. was responsible for many trial DOME plantings of exotic species. 9 1 The tree species include Gordon Street. 20. English and American Elm, Opposite National Film BLACK White poplar; Western Yellow and Sound Archive Pine; Atlas Cedar; and Turkey 8 MOUNTAIN 7 This dome-shaped building Oak. A final stage of plantings Access by car from 11. 2 seems to be slowly rising associated with the foreshore Clunies Ross St. development of Lake out of a surrounding SULLIVAN’S 5 Burley Griffin included the moat. It was designed Black Mountain dominates CREEK the landscape in and around Maidenhair Tree; Lombardy 15. by Sir Roy Grounds and Acton. It forms a forested Poplar; White Poplar; A small creek that gave 6 completed in 1959. The backdrop to Lake Burley Oriental Plane; and Ribbon its name to Canberra. IAN POTTER building complements the Gum. Some of these trees 13. HOUSE rounded hills surrounding Griffin and the Telstra have died or been removed Sullivans Creek has its Canberra. Sixteen Tower on its summit, acts and many are now located in origins on the slopes LENNOX Corner of Marcus Clarke St peripheral arches spring as a landscape marker the precinct of the National of the hills forming the HOUSE COMPLEX and Edinburgh Ave. from the water in the moat throughout much of the Museum of Australia. It is northern border of the to support the shallow Canberra area. Regenerated This building was completed worth taking the time to ACT. It runs through the Lennox Crossing. concrete dome, which is eucalypt forest covers most in 1929 for the Federal Capital locate and identify these trees suburbs of , 46 metres in diameter and of the Mountain. A network Lennox House is a complex Commission as a hostel for as you travel throughout the the Australian National weighs 710 tonnes. The of trails on the mountain of early buildings originally female government staff area. You may find a tree University, and into Lake dome, which is sheeted provides a variety of walks known as the ‘Bachelors’ transferred from Melbourne. recognition guide helpful. Burley Griffin at the foot in copper, is larger than ranging from gentle strolls Quarters’ or ‘Single Men’s It is designed in the shape of Black Mountain. It St Peter’s in Rome and St to steady climbs. A wide Quarters’. Constructed of an ‘H’ and is a significant was formerly known as Paul’s in London. Described range of bird and plant 8. between 1911 and 1913, these example of its architec- ‘Canberry Creek’ taking as unconventional and species can be observed in buildings are significant tural style. The building was THE PREGNANT its name from the first futuristic in design, it the early mornings and late as the first residential converted to community established grazing was the first building in a�ernoons. A drive up to the PINE accommodation for use in 1972, and leased by property ‘Canberry’ which the ACT to be placed on mountain’s summit will be Government staff involved the Australian Academy of Eastern end of Acton Peninsula, occupied the flood plain the National Heritage rewarded with spectacular in the establishment of Science in 1985. While the now in the grounds of the area of the Molonglo Creek List. The building is the views of Acton, Lake Burley Canberra. Although under interior of the building has Museum of Australia. near Black Mountain and conference centre for the Griffin, and the city centre threat of demolition in the been substantially rebuilt, the Indigenous groups who Australian Academy and beyond. A trip to the One tree worthy of a early 1990s, the buildings the exterior still exhibits its lived in the area. The name of Science and was viewing platform on Telstra particular mention is a were saved because of Georgian Manor-like features. was later altered and given formerly known as Tower will give you a Pencil Pine. The tree is their historical, social and It was known as Beauchamp to the new Federal Capital, Becker House. In 2000 it panoramic view of Canberra estimated to be about 120 cultural significance to the House until 1986, when the Canberra. was renamed to honour and its suburbs. years of age and is believed development of Canberra name was changed to honour Professor John Shine, a to be associated with the as the national capital. The stockbroker, financier and pioneer of gene cloning first grazing property in 12. complex has been continually philanthropist Sir Ian Po�er, 21. who contributed $1 million the ACT established in the occupied at one time or the major benefactor towards towards its renovation. AUSTRALIAN 1820s. During the years ACTON another since the days of the building’s refurbishment. when the HOUSES the bachelors by community NATIONAL occupied this area of the groups, university students Acton Peninsula the tree 18. UNIVERSITY Liversidge St., Balmain Cres. and now functions as a child 16. was adjacent to the main & Lennox Crossing care centre. It is interesting ACTON Northern Acton. entrance. It became known as to contrast this type of NATIONAL FILM the ‘Pregnant Pine’ because Take a stroll or a drive HOUSE The Australian National accommodation during AND SOUND of its non-symmetric, bulging along these streets on the University was conceived the early days of Canberra (Formerly Hotel Acton) shape and its light hearted edge of the university ARCHIVE in the mid-1940s to serve to that of the more senior Corner of Edinburgh and association with the many precinct and you will notice Australia’s needs for public servants who occupied (Former Australian Institute of Marcus Clarke Streets. pregnant women who gave several early 20th century postgraduate training houses in nearby Balmain Anatomy) McCoy Circuit. birth in the hospital. You houses contrasting against Acton House was built as a and advanced research. Crescent. can see this tree from the more modern buildings. Designed for the Federal major hostel in 1927. It was In 1961 its functions National Museum car park. Constructed between 1913 Capital Commission, this constructed, along with were extended to include and 1929, these government building was completed in other hostels to overcome undergraduate teaching. 14. The university is unique 9 & 10. houses were built by the 1930 to house the Australian the acute housing shortage OLD among its contemporaries SPRINGBANK Federal Capital Commission Institute of Anatomy. that affected Canberra at to house public servants CANBERRA The symmetrical, two the time. It functioned as as the only Australian ISLAND who were being posted to storey building is faced in a hostel until 1930 when university established by an fill positions in the newly HOUSE Hawkesbury sandstone it closed completely. It act of Federal Parliament. West Basin, Lake Burley Griffin. re-established departments and encloses an internal was later occupied by It is also one of Australia’s 35 Liversidge Street. Viewed from Lennox Crossing. of the capital city. They courtyard. The marble the Patents Office and most research-intensive were purposely located Old Canberra House was finished foyer leads to arcades was part of the new universities, with a high ratio Springbank Island, with its of academic staff to students. grassy slopes and tree-lined in Acton as it was near to designed by J.S. Murdoch, and cloister off which are Canberra University More than 14,000 students shore, was formed during the early administrative architect for the Federal twin exhibition halls in facing College, a fore runner to study at the university 1963 when the Molonglo centre of the city and an Capital Authority and wings, both with mezzanine the Australian National with over 3,300 overseas River plains were flooding easy walk to work. Their completed in 1911 for the first galleries. Look for the Art University. In June 1946 it to form Lake Burley Griffin. varied architecture and Administrator of the ACT. Deco decorative features with was recommissioned as a students from over 100 Previously, it had been a fabric, mainly weatherboard Later occupants were the their distinctive Australian hostel for married couples countries. It offers graduate small hill within the property (but two were built of Federal Capital Commission fauna and Aboriginal motifs. moving to Canberra, a role and undergraduate students of ‘Springbank’, established rendered brick) illustrates Chairman Sir John Bu�ers The building now houses it maintained for nearly degree courses in a range in 1831. The island now has the changes in design from and UK High Commissioners the National Film & Sound thirty years. From 1976 of disciplines including a small access je�y and can the beginning to the end of for 20 years. The building Archive and is open for it has housed various Arts, Law, Mathematics, be used by arrangement the Federal Capital Period is now the property of visits. It is becoming popular Government agencies but it Engineering, Information with the ACT Government of Canberra. The houses are the Australian National with Canberrans because of has now been incorporated Technology, Economics, and as a barbecue, picnic and now used by the Australian University and houses the historical films that are into a new residential and the Sciences. The campus is function area. National University. several research centres. regularly shown. business complex. open to the public.

NT-09-2009 [acton].indd 2 23/9/09 11:32:29 PM 19. CANBERRA SCHOOL OF MUSIC Corner of Childers St. & University Ave. The School of Music is 21 a six-level educational 19 complex located on the 20 edge of the Australian National University. The architectural style is Late Modern/Brutalist which is characterised by its prominent grey, off-form concrete and brick walls, 16 11 reminiscent of the cubist 15 art form, which can be seen 17 as stark and confronting. It is orientated inwards 7. 18 with its performance hall surrounded by EUROPEAN administrative rooms as TREE PLANTINGS a barrier against external noise from the busy streets Throughout the peninsula area. 12 nearby. The building is of During the National Capital’s particular social importance development several tree in Canberra providing a planting projects were 14 4 3 concert hall, Llewellyn 13 undertaken in the Acton Hall, of 1,500 seats and is area. In the early years of 17. considered one of the best development Charles Weston, performance spaces in the government’s botanist, THE SHINE 10 Canberra. was responsible for many trial DOME plantings of exotic species. 9 1 The tree species include Gordon Street. 20. English and American Elm, Opposite National Film BLACK White poplar; Western Yellow and Sound Archive Pine; Atlas Cedar; and Turkey 8 MOUNTAIN 7 This dome-shaped building Oak. A final stage of plantings Access by car from 11. 2 seems to be slowly rising associated with the foreshore Clunies Ross St. development of Lake out of a surrounding SULLIVAN’S 5 Burley Griffin included the moat. It was designed Black Mountain dominates CREEK the landscape in and around Maidenhair Tree; Lombardy 15. by Sir Roy Grounds and Acton. It forms a forested Poplar; White Poplar; A small creek that gave 6 completed in 1959. The backdrop to Lake Burley Oriental Plane; and Ribbon its name to Canberra. IAN POTTER building complements the Gum. Some of these trees 13. HOUSE rounded hills surrounding Griffin and the Telstra have died or been removed Sullivans Creek has its Canberra. Sixteen Tower on its summit, acts and many are now located in origins on the slopes LENNOX Corner of Marcus Clarke St peripheral arches spring as a landscape marker the precinct of the National of the hills forming the HOUSE COMPLEX and Edinburgh Ave. from the water in the moat throughout much of the Museum of Australia. It is northern border of the to support the shallow Canberra area. Regenerated This building was completed worth taking the time to ACT. It runs through the Lennox Crossing. concrete dome, which is eucalypt forest covers most in 1929 for the Federal Capital locate and identify these trees suburbs of North Canberra, 46 metres in diameter and of the Mountain. A network Lennox House is a complex Commission as a hostel for as you travel throughout the the Australian National weighs 710 tonnes. The of trails on the mountain of early buildings originally female government staff area. You may find a tree University, and into Lake dome, which is sheeted provides a variety of walks known as the ‘Bachelors’ transferred from Melbourne. recognition guide helpful. Burley Griffin at the foot in copper, is larger than ranging from gentle strolls Quarters’ or ‘Single Men’s It is designed in the shape of Black Mountain. It St Peter’s in Rome and St to steady climbs. A wide Quarters’. Constructed of an ‘H’ and is a significant was formerly known as Paul’s in London. Described range of bird and plant 8. between 1911 and 1913, these example of its architec- ‘Canberry Creek’ taking as unconventional and species can be observed in buildings are significant tural style. The building was THE PREGNANT its name from the first futuristic in design, it the early mornings and late as the first residential converted to community established grazing was the first building in a�ernoons. A drive up to the PINE accommodation for use in 1972, and leased by property ‘Canberry’ which the ACT to be placed on mountain’s summit will be Government staff involved the Australian Academy of Eastern end of Acton Peninsula, occupied the flood plain the National Heritage rewarded with spectacular in the establishment of Science in 1985. While the now in the grounds of the area of the Molonglo Creek List. The building is the views of Acton, Lake Burley Canberra. Although under interior of the building has Museum of Australia. near Black Mountain and conference centre for the Griffin, and the city centre threat of demolition in the been substantially rebuilt, the Indigenous groups who Australian Academy and beyond. A trip to the One tree worthy of a early 1990s, the buildings the exterior still exhibits its lived in the area. The name of Science and was viewing platform on Telstra particular mention is a were saved because of Georgian Manor-like features. was later altered and given formerly known as Tower will give you a Pencil Pine. The tree is their historical, social and It was known as Beauchamp to the new Federal Capital, Becker House. In 2000 it panoramic view of Canberra estimated to be about 120 cultural significance to the House until 1986, when the Canberra. was renamed to honour and its suburbs. years of age and is believed development of Canberra name was changed to honour Professor John Shine, a to be associated with the as the national capital. The stockbroker, financier and pioneer of gene cloning first grazing property in 12. complex has been continually philanthropist Sir Ian Po�er, 21. who contributed $1 million the ACT established in the occupied at one time or the major benefactor towards towards its renovation. AUSTRALIAN 1820s. During the years ACTON another since the days of the building’s refurbishment. when the Canberra Hospital HOUSES the bachelors by community NATIONAL occupied this area of the groups, university students Acton Peninsula the tree 18. UNIVERSITY Liversidge St., Balmain Cres. and now functions as a child 16. was adjacent to the main & Lennox Crossing care centre. It is interesting ACTON Northern Acton. entrance. It became known as to contrast this type of NATIONAL FILM the ‘Pregnant Pine’ because Take a stroll or a drive HOUSE The Australian National accommodation during AND SOUND of its non-symmetric, bulging along these streets on the University was conceived the early days of Canberra (Formerly Hotel Acton) shape and its light hearted edge of the university ARCHIVE in the mid-1940s to serve to that of the more senior Corner of Edinburgh and association with the many precinct and you will notice Australia’s needs for public servants who occupied (Former Australian Institute of Marcus Clarke Streets. pregnant women who gave several early 20th century postgraduate training houses in nearby Balmain Anatomy) McCoy Circuit. birth in the hospital. You houses contrasting against Acton House was built as a and advanced research. Crescent. can see this tree from the more modern buildings. Designed for the Federal major hostel in 1927. It was In 1961 its functions National Museum car park. Constructed between 1913 Capital Commission, this constructed, along with were extended to include and 1929, these government building was completed in other hostels to overcome undergraduate teaching. 14. The university is unique 9 & 10. houses were built by the 1930 to house the Australian the acute housing shortage OLD among its contemporaries SPRINGBANK Federal Capital Commission Institute of Anatomy. that affected Canberra at to house public servants CANBERRA The symmetrical, two the time. It functioned as as the only Australian ISLAND who were being posted to storey building is faced in a hostel until 1930 when university established by an fill positions in the newly HOUSE Hawkesbury sandstone it closed completely. It act of Federal Parliament. West Basin, Lake Burley Griffin. re-established departments and encloses an internal was later occupied by It is also one of Australia’s 35 Liversidge Street. Viewed from Lennox Crossing. of the capital city. They courtyard. The marble the Patents Office and most research-intensive were purposely located Old Canberra House was finished foyer leads to arcades was part of the new universities, with a high ratio Springbank Island, with its of academic staff to students. grassy slopes and tree-lined in Acton as it was near to designed by J.S. Murdoch, and cloister off which are Canberra University More than 14,000 students shore, was formed during the early administrative architect for the Federal twin exhibition halls in facing College, a fore runner to study at the university 1963 when the Molonglo centre of the city and an Capital Authority and wings, both with mezzanine the Australian National with over 3,300 overseas River plains were flooding easy walk to work. Their completed in 1911 for the first galleries. Look for the Art University. In June 1946 it to form Lake Burley Griffin. varied architecture and Administrator of the ACT. Deco decorative features with was recommissioned as a students from over 100 Previously, it had been a fabric, mainly weatherboard Later occupants were the their distinctive Australian hostel for married couples countries. It offers graduate small hill within the property (but two were built of Federal Capital Commission fauna and Aboriginal motifs. moving to Canberra, a role and undergraduate students of ‘Springbank’, established rendered brick) illustrates Chairman Sir John Bu�ers The building now houses it maintained for nearly degree courses in a range in 1831. The island now has the changes in design from and UK High Commissioners the National Film & Sound thirty years. From 1976 of disciplines including a small access je�y and can the beginning to the end of for 20 years. The building Archive and is open for it has housed various Arts, Law, Mathematics, be used by arrangement the Federal Capital Period is now the property of visits. It is becoming popular Government agencies but it Engineering, Information with the ACT Government of Canberra. The houses are the Australian National with Canberrans because of has now been incorporated Technology, Economics, and as a barbecue, picnic and now used by the Australian University and houses the historical films that are into a new residential and the Sciences. The campus is function area. National University. several research centres. regularly shown. business complex. open to the public.

NT-09-2009 [acton].indd 2 23/9/09 11:32:29 PM