Our assignment to speak at Narooma this month was changed due to rescheduling a District Conference. Since we had planned to be traveling anyway, we went ahead with travel plans but with a new destination. We went to Canberra, Australia's capital city in the Australia Capital Territory which is an enclave within New South Wales and includes the capital city and some townships.
We met up with senior missionaries, Elwood and Penny Brown, Thursday night for dinner and conversation. They are serving in the Canberra area but were leaving Friday for another assignment also. So we set out Friday to see the capital city on our own.
Our first stop was at Old Parliament House which was also called the Provisional Parliament House until 1988 because it was never intended to be permanently used. Now is it officially the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. It seemed funny to see a building and the offices preserved from the late 1980's as a museum! We realize we are getting older, but didn't think we were quite museum pieces yet.
Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia Old Parliament House
The entry stairs lead up to the King's Hall where this statue of King George V dominates the room. On either side of the hall are the entrances to the chambers which are the same size though the Representatives have roughly double the members of the Senate.
House of Representatives is identified with the color green; there are long benches in the front and the dispatch boxes are mostly ornamental. They were used as podiums where different speakers placed their notes. The mace in front represents the authority of the Speaker and is carried in by the
Sergeant-At-Arms.
The Speaker's Chair - my feet did not touch the ground! This one was a gift from the British with the Royal Arms carved in the top to signify Australia's connection to British history and Westminster Parliament in London. A copy was made and placed in the chambers with the Australian-Coat-of-Arms.
Nearly 50 years ago, an Aboriginal Tent Embassy was set up outside of the Old Parliament house to protest the policies of the government toward indigenous land rights. They have remained in place ever since. As one early protester noted, "We were treated as aliens in our own land, therefore we need an embassy like other 'alien' visitors."
Children's group were visiting the Aboriginal Embassy the day we were there so we stayed back and watched from a distance.
King George V Memorial - one side is to honor the king who had been the head of state from 1910 until he died in 1936. The other side honors Australia's participation in the First World War with a statue of St. George riding a horse. And this cockatoo continually posed for us!
Looking at Capital Hill, this is a view of the permanent Parliament House building. From a further distance, one can see the 'boomerang' that is encompassed into the design. Construction began in 1981. The building has over 4700 rooms many of which are opened to the public. We did not see all of them.
Model of the Parliament House
Up close to the front entry; the flag pole is 81m (266 ft) in height
One of the wings of the building.
The current Senate chambers - Red The House chambers - Green
Out in the Elizabeth courtyard
After spending the morning in the government locations, we went to the National Gallery of Australia, I love the aboriginal art and could spend many hours just viewing these exhibits. But there were several exhibits we wanted to see including the Know My Name, Australian Women artists from 1900 to now and Belonging: Stories of Australia art both from indigenous and non-indigenous views of colonization. The other great showing was Botticelli to Van Gogh; 450 years of paintings on loan from the London's National Gallery. And I couldn't leave before hitting the gift shop!!
Close Up of the left panel
The piece was titled "Tender" referencing dual meanings. Shredded legal tender from the U.S. representing wealth, power, supremacy in contrast to tender nests for fowl. The author seemed to think the paper money represented the first world taking too much from the environment. Okay, I can buy that but I wondered why the artist didn't use their own "legal tender?"
Two views of the same phenomenon as the light would spiral down each spout.
This may be too dark to see but these represent the three water spouts that were recorded seen by Captain Cook's men when the First Fleet arrive. To them, fascinating evidence of nature, to the First Peoples on the land, an omen of trouble ahead.
Monet and Degas
Just two of the over 60 paintings in the Bottecelli-Van Gogh exhibit.
Outside the National Gallery and the grounds
The High Court Building
The next day we ventured back out to more sights in Canberra. We visited the Australia History Museum where we arrived early and had to wait outside in rather chilly morning temperatures. Once inside, we viewed a film on the Endeavour, Captain Cook's ship and then enjoyed all the historical exhibits representing the people, resources, and locations of this great country. We then headed to the Canberra Region and National Capital Exhibition. Situated above the Central Basin of Lake Burley Griffin, we took some time to wander the green space.
The man-made lake and a Captain Cook Memorial globe
We knew it would be difficult to see the War Memorial on ANZAC Day, so we went the day before which was a good decision. Lots of seating and preparations for the memorial services being readied, so we were happy to have time to wander around.
The War Memorial also houses an extensive military museum which recount the wars and conflicts Australian Armed Forces have participated in both before and after Federation
Looking down Anzac Parade toward Capital Hill and Parliament House
One of the rescue boats from the Gallipoli campaign
Memorial Courtyard
The Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier
Central Dome from inside Hall of Memory
Statues representative of branches of service - here an airman and sailor
And columns of iconic red poppies for remembrance; I purchased one to place near an "E. Roberts" since that name sounded familiar.
Both east and west galleries have names of the fallen
General Sir John Monash- one of Australia's greatest leaders and a pillar of democracy
"The only hope for Australia is the ballot box and an educated electorate."
These words ring true for countries throughout the world even today.
On our last day in Canberra we went to view the city from the Telstra Tower, a communication facility with observation decks both open and enclosed. Located at the summit of Black Mountain, the 360 degree views reveal the landscape and city from a spectacular vantage point.
Finally, an afternoon drive out to Cooma and the Snowy River country. My children and grandchildren all would love to see the "brumbies" and the land from one of their favorite movies.
We welcomed a new senior missionary couple this week, Corey and Kylie Bailey. They are from Tasmania and will be serving as Self-Reliance missionaries. Naturally, Don volunteered to take the picture since he really dislikes being photographed!
Steve and Gail Pollard, Corey Bailey, Jill, Arouma and Gose Mata'utia,
Nina and Mel Anderson, Kylie Bailey
