Special Sub-Topic: Canberra, the Nation's Capital Click Here To Play: Canberra, the Nation's Capital

Who designed Canberra?

Walter Burley Griffin. Walter Burley Griffin won a competition to design the national capital in 1911. Marion Mahony was Griffin's wife, an architect herself who worked with her husband. Francis Greenway was the Colony's first architect. Harry Seidler did design some buildings in Canberra, but not until it was well established.

Who announced the name of the future capital city with the words, "I name the capital of Australia, Canberra"?

Lady Denman. Lady Denman was the wife of the Governor-General, Sir Thomas Denman. She proclaimed the name with the accent on the "CAN", thus setting its future pronunciation. Sir Thomas Denman, in a speech made that same day, said "Here a city may arise where those responsible for the government of this country in the future may seek and find inspiration in its noble buildings, its broad avenues, its shaded parks and sheltered gardens - a city bearing perhaps some resemblance to the city beautiful of our dreams".

There are many institutions of national importance in Canberra. Which one opened in February 1965?

Royal Australian Mint. The Royal Australian Mint was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh on 22nd February 1965. It was built to mint the new decimal coinage which was introduced in February 1966. It still mints most of Australia's coins and struck coins for other countries. It also manufactures such things as seals, tokens, medals and even casino chips.

Canberra is home to many of the country's elite athletes. At what facility do most of them train?

Australian Institute of Sport. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) was opened by the Prime Minister, Hon. Malcolm Fraser on 26th January 1981. From its original 8 sports, the AIS has extended its premises and expanded to offer programs in 26 sports, with over 600 athletes training there.

When was Lake Burley Griffin filled?

1964. Lake Burley Griffin was begun in 1960 when the Scrivener Dam was started, damming the Molonglo River to form the lake. It was filled and used for its first sporting events in 1964.

Where would you find a Wollemi Pine on display in Canberra?

Australian National Botanic Garden. The Wollemi Pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species. It had been thought extinct, but one was found in 1994. You can see a propagated tree on display in the Australian National Botanic Garden, which has one of the finest collections of Australian native plants.

By what name was the Canberra region previously known?

Limestone Plains. Robert Campbell, an early settler of the region known as the Limestone Plains, named his property "Duntroon", a name which is still in use by the Defence Force College now located there. The aboriginal word "Kamberra", spoken by tribes in the region, is thought to mean 'a meeting place'. A local wine company has used this name, with its wine range being called "Meeting Place". One of the main thoroughfares is named Limestone Avenue to commemorate this early name.

In which cultural institution would you find a gallery entitled "Eternity"?

National Museum of Australia. The National Museum of Australia opened in 2001 in time to mark Australia's Centenary of Federation. It explores Australia's story through a number of galleries. Many Australalian icons are featured in the Eternity Gallery.

What is the name given to the Prime Minster's residence in Canberra?

The Lodge. Yarralumla, also known as Government House, is the name of the residence of the Governor-General in Canberra. The Lodge is the official Canberra residence of the Prime Minister. Canberrans generally seethe at the fact that Prime Minister John Howard chooses not to reside in Canberra, but instead lives in Kirribilli House in Sydney. This decision is all the more galling since it was accompanied by a slashing of public service jobs in Canberra.

In what year did the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) gain self government?

1989. The first election for self-government was held on 4th March, 1989. Prior to this time, the ACT was governed federally. It was usually tucked away in some obscure portfolio, such as Territories or The Interior, and was the responsibility of some junior Minister who seldom lived there. The ACT had self government imposed on it, despite having voted against self-government in two previous referenda. This probably explains the election of several candidates from the "No Self-Government" and "Abolish Self-Government" parties. To contest the 17 seats, there was a record number of 117 candidates, many of them with frivolous names, such as the "Sun- Ripened Warm Tomato Party" and the ballot paper was almost a metre in length!