Canberra and Congress

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water mall with carp next to walkway

I must say that it was very difficult to leave my accommodation every morning in Canberra.  I was just in love with University House.  It won the Sulman Award for Architectural Merit back in 1953.  I suspect it is heritage listed.

The Queen size rooms are capacious.  The bathrooms have been updated except for the terrazo floors ...and there is a beautiful library....see...

So I was very happy with my accommodation and there were lots of other people there doing conferency things too.  It was about a 20-30 minute walk to the Convention Centre which I needed and for which I was grateful, sitting on my bottom for the rest of the day.  And I got to see lots of lovely sculpture as I walked along.





Sunday was full on at Congress and I might leave my account of that for another post when I'm not so tired.  

Today was spent going to the National Archives, the Australian War Memorial and the Noel Butlin Archives.

I didn't find anything at the National Archives really although I did take a few photos of things and the staff were all very helpful and friendly.  It was much quieter than I expected.  The Without Consent exhibition is definitely worth seeing and very moving.

Then I went to the Noel Butlin Archives.  What a giggle.  I disobeyed all instructions and did not have time to look up where it was before I went.  

This is where I stayed ...okay?


What a nice view I thought to myself as I stood on the verandah.  Guess what the view was?


You guessed it....the Noel Butlin Archives.  Talk about thick.  Anyway, here's my tip for those like me who are going to the Noel Butlin Archives.  When you look it up on the internet (as you're trying to tell the cabbie where it is) - it says that it's on the 2nd floor.  So when I walked into the Menzies Building I looked for a lift and went to the 2nd floor.  When I got out all I could see were stacks and stacks of Large Print.  And then I saw a sign saying "4th Floor" - huh?

So, when you walk into the Menzies Building you are actually on the 2nd floor already.  Talk about traps for the unwary.


This is the entrance to the Menzies.  Just walk in the front door and keep walking straight ahead.  



Honestly, for a librarian I am absolutely hopeless at asking for directions.  

2nd tip for newbies.  They only do one delivery a day at the Noel Butlin Archives so I ordered stuff but it wasn't ready til 2:30pm.  So ...

Off I trotted to the War Memorial - yippee!

I put a poppy next to Royston George Duncan's name in the wall...



I oohed and aahed over the WWI exhibition.  Whoever curated that should be very, very proud.





The Ben Quilty exhibition was simply stunning too.  I spent far too much money at the shop but it's all for a good cause, eh?

Then back to the Noel Butlin Archives.....didn't really find anything although I would like to go back and spend more time on a couple of the boxes, now I have the lie of the land, so to speak....

Raced out the airport only to discover the flight had been delayed...poop!

Finally on board an hour later.


The sun started to set...


Up we went over the sheep plains...



Up into the  clouds




And finally home to Brisvegas.



I'm knackered!



Comments

Crissouli said…
Sounds full on, Alex.. Love the look of your accomodation... I keep meaning to say also how much I like the background of your blog. It's so relaxing and inviting.
March 31, 2015 at 12:28 AM
Alex Daw said…
Thank you Crissouli. It was full on. There were many of my geneafriends who had been there since Wednesday and were just exhausted. I was tired after just 2 days! Thank you so much too for your feedback re the background. It seemed so perfect for this subject matter I couldn't resist.
March 31, 2015 at 6:43 AM
Bribie Family History Association said…
I have been to the Noel Butlin Archives too and you are so right about how hard it is too find. Glad you had such a good if speedy trip to Congress
March 31, 2015 at 7:52 AM
Alex Daw said…
Glad I'm not the only one Shauna. I did feel very silly and I'm sure they watch people every day go over to the lift and then watch them come back down the stairs....
March 31, 2015 at 7:40 PM
GeniAus said…
Knackered fits me to a tee.
March 31, 2015 at 8:32 PM
Cassmob (Pauleen) said…
Knackered too :) I had good intentions of making the Noel Butlin archives but....next time when I'm not distracted by Congress methinks.
April 6, 2015 at 2:23 PM
GenieJen said…
So enjoyed your pictures and comments about Canberra. I find also as a retired librarian, that I think about how much better the signage could be in archives and libraries new to me. Thanks for taking the time to post
April 9, 2015 at 1:44 PM
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